True Self
World

A virtual Pride space built around the stories people carry with them.

MY ROLE Lead Developer & Team Lead

THE EXPERIENCE

Make room for a story.

For Mastercard’s 2022 Pride campaign, True Self World brought community stories into Horizon Worlds. Visitors could explore an immersive display of letters to younger selves, gather in communal and private discussion spaces, and take part in games and other activities.

The experience was created with Meta Creative Shop for Mastercard, with McCann on the campaign. RhondaX was a collaborator on the project. It was designed as a place for LGBTQIA+ community members and allies to meet, share, and celebrate.

INSIDE TRUE SELF WORLD

Scenes from the world

Individual images from the campaign tile.

Visitors explore a garden beneath a Pride flag — Gathering in the garden

Visitor welcomes guests in an open-air world space — Welcome space

Visitors sit together on a swing in the world — A shared moment

Visitors share a conversation in a bright community lounge — Community lounge

Avatars explore Pride themed clothing and accessories — Wear with Pride

Acceptance Street sign exhibit inside the world — Acceptance Street exhibit

Visitors read a letter together in the exhibition — The letter exhibition

Interactive prompt invites visitors to write to their younger self — A note to your younger self

Visitors celebrate together on a colorful dance floor — The dance floor

BEHIND THE BUILD

How the space took shape

Selfie wall and interactive activity area in an early world build — Selfie wall

Paths and gathering spaces through the virtual world — Paths through the space

Seating in a Pride themed interior — A place to pause

A small lounge with a colorful Pride flag — Interior detail

Open plaza and structures viewed across the world — Plaza view

The central structure and paths during the build — Central structure

AWARDS & REACH

Recognition

WEBBY AWARDS / 2023

True Self World by Mastercard — 2023 Webby Award nominee, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (Metaverse, Immersive & Virtual).

EFFIE AWARDS / 2023

Finalist

Mastercard: True Self World was named a finalist in the Effie United States program.

Effie listing

REACH / GREG WEISS, MASTERCARD

Top 1%

On the Meta Business Innovation and Technology podcast, Mastercard's Director of Digital and Social Marketing, Greg Weiss, said the team's metrics placed True Self World among Horizon Worlds' most visited worlds: in the top one percent for a sustained stretch.

Hear Greg Weiss discuss the project

MORE ABOUT THE PROJECT

Mastercard campaign announcement ↗Meta on Pride and community creators ↗Meta trailer and press assets ↗

CURRENTLY BUILDING

somwyr ↗