Irreverent Labs, led by longtime entrepreneur Rahul Sood is combining a flurry of the latest tech trends — NFTs, blockchain, machine learning, metaverse — into futuristic gaming experiences. The game is set in a metaverse, a vague concept touted by some as the next frontier for online interaction through computer-generated avatars, blending the physical and digital worlds. Users will be able to “own” characters in this metaverse that can be bought and sold. That’s where NFTs — non-fungible tokens, or unique digital assets — come in. Those characters will be powered by AI, so they can get smarter over time. There will also be ways for users to earn currency as they play. The idea takes inspiration from similar games such as Zed Run, the digital horse racing game that garnered attention. Similar to Zed Run, the game from Irreverent will also feature a breeding aspect. Sood was an early investor in the company behind Zed. Sood previously co-founded esports betting startup Unikrn, which was acquired this year, and led Microsoft Ventures. He co-founded Unikrn in 2014 and grew the company into a leading esports wagering company that let people bet on video game matches. The startup attracted investment from celebrity investors including Mark Cuban and Ashton Kutcher. It also ran into legal trouble with the Securities and Exchange Commission.