Otraverse: Revolutionizing E-commerce with 3D Virtual Shops
In a digital universe where e-commerce sites struggle to retain user attention, a Tunisian startup is changing the game. Otraverse is developing a new generation of 3D virtual shops, combining artificial intelligence, gaming, and digital commerce to reinvent the relationship between brands and consumers.
The Founder's Vision
Behind Otraverse is Yecin Dridi, a graduate of the Higher Institute of Multimedia Arts in La Manouba. His career began in video editing and television production, before evolving into artistic direction and audiovisual production. Through his experiences with brands and media, he observed a recurring problem: the difficulty for companies to retain users in a saturated and homogeneous digital environment. "Digital content has become almost identical everywhere. It's increasingly difficult to capture the attention of an internet user," he explains.
The Problem: Unengaging E-commerce
While working on content production projects for brands and sports teams, the team noticed another major issue: classic e-commerce sites suffer from low retention rates and high cart abandonment. Users navigate quickly, interact little, and leave platforms without real immersion. It was from this observation that an idea was born: transforming the e-commerce site into an interactive experience, similar to the world of video games.
The Solution: vShop
The startup set up a research and development center to analyze user behavior online. The results showed that the more immersive and gamified the experience, the longer the session duration. Otraverse began designing interactive 3D environments, inspired by AAA video games, rather than static interfaces. From this reflection, the central concept of the startup was born: the vShop (virtual shop), a 3D virtual store.
AI-Generated Virtual Stores
Otraverse's solution allows brands to convert their 2D catalogs into immersive 3D universes using artificial intelligence. The system is based on three main components:
- A dashboard for choosing templates, importing product catalogs, and automatically generating 3D models using AI
- A tool for customizing virtual stores, where brands organize their products in an interactive environment
- A system for rapid URL generation, facilitating integration on social networks or existing websites
A New Level of User Engagement
Users no longer just scroll; they explore a space, interact with products, and navigate in an environment similar to gaming, in solo or multiplayer mode. Beyond the user experience, Otraverse is betting on another strategic lever: data. Unlike classic sites, where behavior is difficult to analyze, 3D environments allow for precise tracking of interactions:
- Products consulted
- User journey
- Time spent on each article
- Cross-interest behavior
This approach enables brands to better understand their customers and offer more relevant offers, such as product packs or targeted recommendations. "It's no longer just about buying and leaving. It's a new form of digital relationship," summarizes the founder.
A Startup with Global Ambitions
Based in Tunisia, Otraverse has a team of around 25 people, combining technical, creative, and gaming profiles. A large part of the development is done locally, despite the challenges related to the availability of advanced skills in 3D technologies and game engines like Unreal Engine. The startup also benefits from support programs, including Orange Fab, which provides access to technological resources and an industrial network.
Looking to the Future
Beyond the local market, Otraverse aims for a global positioning. The solution is designed from the start for international users, including the Tunisian diaspora and foreign markets. By 2030, the vision is clear: to evolve Otraverse into a major player in immersive commerce, capable of collaborating with global technology companies. As the founder summarizes: "We are dreamers. Our goal is to create a bridge between gaming, retail, and marketing in a single experience."
