Taste the 'metaverse' in Coca-Cola's new pixel-flavored soda

WASHINGTON (TND) — Coca-Cola has released a second new soda flavor this year – arguably more controversial than the first. The soft drink company is calling itthe first-ever Coca-Cola flavor "born in the metaverse."

Vice defines "metaverse" as "a 3D version of the Internet and computing at large." How you capture the essence of the entire Internet in a can is still up for debate though. The new flavor, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar Byte, will "bring the flavor of pixels to life."

Transcending both the digital and physical worlds, Coca-Cola said the limited-edition beverage is inspired by gaming. Earlier this year, the soda giant released Coca-Cola Starlight which was advertised as "a taste of outer space."

For our second expression from Coca-Cola Creations, we wanted to create an innovative taste inspired by the playfulness of pixels, rooted in the experiences that gaming makes possible," said Oana Vlad, senior director of global strategy for The Coca-Cola Company.

Breaking down the different notes within the drink, Coca-Cola said it wanted to mimic the feeling of powering up a game with a "bright, upfront taste."

The drink was launched in limited quantities April 4 in Latin America. The product was released in the United States May 2.Coca-Cola first entered the metaverse last year with its first-ever NFT (Non-Fungible Token) collectibles.

Similar to when Coca-Cola released Starlight, "a suite of immersive digital experiences will introduce fans" to the new drink.The centerpiece is Pixel Point, an "island" created and housed in Fortnite Creative. When players enter the island, they can learn more about the drink in the metaverse andinteract with other gamers through a series of four mini-games:

1. The Castle
2. The Escape
3. The Race
4. The Tower

The quests can only be solved by working as a team with other players.

Additionally, those interested in doing more can scan a Zero Sugar Byte package at www.coca-cola.com/creations to access an augmented reality game, which tells the story of BYTE, "an 8-bit pixel left behind when Coca-Cola Byte entered the metaverse."