The Met Launches AR App for Roblox, Merging Museum Collections with Virtual Fashion

The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York has partnered with Verizon to launch The Met Replica, an augmented reality app that transforms 37 objects from its collections into digital wearables for the Roblox gaming platform. Available from August 3 on Android and iOS, the app allows visitors to use their smartphones to photograph and collect limited-edition items at the museum, which can then be worn by customizable avatars in Roblox. Examples include the parade armor of Henry II of France, Van Gogh's jacket and hat from his 1887 self-portrait, and the serpentine hair of Canova's Perseus with the Head of Medusa. For those unable to visit in person, the museum has created a Roblox experience called The Replica where users can preview items, but permanent unlocking requires an in-person visit. The initiative aims to attract younger audiences and encourage physical visits after a 34% drop in attendance post-pandemic, according to The Art Newspaper. This follows the museum's earlier pandemic-era collaboration with Verizon, The Met Unframed, a temporary digital version of galleries and artworks.