Prolific author Neal Stephenson's digital content platform Lamina1 and VFX company Wētā Workshop, which handles The Lord of the Rings film franchise, are teaming up to create a "participatory world-building" experience titled "Artefact."

The experience is expected to “provide a new blueprint for IP expansion through immersive experiences that integrate fan action and input.”

According to Lamina1's description of the project, "Stephenson and the Wētā team will engage a global community of creators and fans on the Lamina1 platform this fall, inviting them to unravel the lore behind a mysterious set of 'Artefacts' that will build on the themes and lore of Stephenson's critically acclaimed catalog of work. The superfan will then take on the new role of creator, using their discoveries to directly contribute to the expansion of the universe."

“Artefact” will serve as the flagship project in the Lamina1-Wētā partnership and the first major multimedia property to launch on Lamina1’s blockchain infrastructure and tooling. Stephenson and Lamina1 co-founder Rebecca Barkin previously worked with Wētā Workshop during their time at Magic Leap.