Westminster’s Bi-Line Launches into the metaverse

Ever since its inception, the Bi-Line, Westminster’s illustrious, student-led newspaper  has led the way in innovation. In fact, during the tumultuous COVID-19 pandemic, the Bi-Line took the bold move of being published completely online, a precedent that the other Westminster publications quickly followed. In line with its trendsetting history of paving the way for positive change, the Bi-Line is diving headfirst into the metaverse.

For those who are unaware (i.e. anyone over 30), the metaverse is a groundbreaking new iteration of the internet in which a single, shared, immersive virtual reality world exists. Not surprisingly, many companies have begun to invest billions of dollars into creating and popularizing the metaverse. Perhaps the most influential investor in the metaverse is Facebook.

“From what I understand, the metaverse is essentially like the Oasis, the virtual world from the fictitious book Ready Player One,” said an anonymous IT guy. “Its goal is to allow users to interact with both the physical and virtual world in a way that seems realistic. I suspect people will be spending a lot of their days living in this metaverse very soon.”

In October 2021, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg rebranded his company into Meta, in an effort to highlight the company’s new focus on the metaverse. Since then, Meta has introduced numerous VR headsets and accessories in an effort to deepen its reach in the metaverse and influence its growth.

Yet, a deep and rapid ascension into the metaverse was not originally one of the Bi-Line’s goals. The idea for the Bi-Line to convert into the metaverse, surprisingly, originated from plans that aimed to gain a wider reach with the Bi-Line’s older audience. 

“We originally planned to create a Facebook account for our older audience,” said an anonymous head editor of the Bi-Line. “We knew that Westminster alumni and Wildcat parents were hungering to read the Bi-Line and be connected with the current student body. With Facebook’s dramatic shift into Meta, we knew that we had to seize the opportunity and plunge into the metaverse.”

While their appetites and aims are ambitious, the Bi-Line’s staff plans to take the transformation into the Metaverse methodically.

“So far, we have begun to upload only past editions of the Bi-Line into the metaverse,” said an anonymous section editor. “While our aims are to fully relocate into the metaverse, we understand that it must be done systematically, will require a period of adjustment, and that it takes time to publicize and get the word out.”

Despite their well-organized  approach, the Bi-Line’s goals are quite high and determined. The new Bi-Line plans to exclusively be published in the metaverse by the end of the year.

“We know our goals are challenging, but as Westminster students, it’s nothing we haven’t faced before,” said an anonymous Bi-Line reporter.

The Bi-Line’s bold measure has not gone unnoticed nor unsupported. In fact, Westminster recently partnered with Meta to provide the necessary VR equipment to all students. In addition to getting a Macbook Air this fall, every Westminster student will receive a VR headset, allowing all Wildcats to have seamless access to the Bi-Line and future school metaverse initiatives.

“I think it’s extremely thrilling that Westminster values our efforts,” said an anonymous head editor of the Bi-Line. “I will admit, my co-head editor and I were very nervous to announce the shift to the metaverse, but we have only received positive feedback and full support.”

“Westminster’s administration has been monitoring the metaverse very closely,” said an anonymous administrator. “In fact, especially after Covid and the evident necessity for Zoom, steps have been taken to implement part of Westminster’s curriculum into the metaverse.”

While the Bi-Line faces a difficult road ahead, the support they have received, from both the school and their peers, has given the staff the motivation to complete their innovative and groundbreaking plans for the future.