From MP3s to Metaverse: Infinite Reality Sets Stage for Napster’s Immersive Comeback in $207M Deal

In General XR News

March 27, 2025 – Infinite Reality (iR), a company focused on AI, spatial computing, XR, and immersive technologies, has announced this week that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Napster, the world’s longest operating digital music service, for USD $207 million.

Napster, a fully licensed independent music service, delivers over 110 million high fidelity tracks to subscribers, and over the past two decades has paid over USD $1 billion to artists and songwriters worldwide.

Infinite Reality stated that it plans to transform Napster beyond streaming into a social music platform that “prioritizes active fan engagement over passive listening,” allowing artists to connect with, own, and monetize their fan relationships.

Through the acquisition, Napster and Infinite Reality plan to offer artists the tools to:

• Create branded 3D virtual spaces where fans can enjoy virtual concerts, social listening parties, and other immersive and community-based experiences;
• Sell physical/virtual merchandise, exclusive content, and tickets;
• Use AI-powered tools for customer service, sales, and community management;
• Access enhanced analytics dashboards to better understand fan behavior;
• Integrate gamification to increase fan engagement and loyalty;
• Leverage iR’s audience network—including Drone Racing League and top esports teams—to cross-promote and bridge fan communities;
• Offer brand sponsorships targeting young, digitally savvy consumers.

“By acquiring Napster, we’re paving a path to a brighter future for artists, fans, and the music industry at large,” said John Acunto, Co-Founder and CEO of Infinite Reality. “This strategic move aligns with Infinite Reality’s vision to lead an internet industry shift from a flat 2D clickable web to a 3D conversational one – giving all creators modern tools to better engage, monetize, and measure their audiences.”

Napster CEO Jon Vlassopulos to Take Broader Global Role at iR

As part of the acquisition, Jon Vlassopulos will continue as CEO of Napster, and will take on a broader role for iR globally. Appointed in 2022, Vlassopulos oversaw Napster’s restructuring and led the company’s evolution into new business areas. Previously, he served as Vice President and Global Head of Music at Roblox, where he worked on immersive experiences for leading artists and brands that reached over 100 million fans, driving tens of millions of dollars of net new revenue for the music industry, according to iR.

“This isn’t just a new chapter for Napster, it’s the beginning of a more interactive and social music experience for the next era of the internet.”

“Napster revolutionized digital music in the nineties, and now, with Infinite Reality, we’re ready to do it again. The internet has evolved from desktop to mobile, from mobile to social, and now we are entering the immersive era. Yet, music streaming has remained largely the same. It’s time to reimagine what’s possible,” said Vlassopulos.

“Imagine stepping into a virtual venue to watch an exclusive show with friends, chat with your favorite artist in their own virtual hangout as they drop their new single, and be able to directly buy their exclusive digital and physical merch. With Infinite Reality’s expertise in immersive 3D technology, we will transform Napster into a next-generation platform where fans don’t just listen on their own—they experience music in entirely new ways. This isn’t just a new chapter for Napster, it’s the beginning of a more interactive and social music experience for the next era of the internet.”

Founded in 1999, Napster offered peer-to-peer file sharing technology, giving fans their first access to digital music and digital music communities. After being acquired by Rhapsody in 2011, Napster evolved into an independent digital music streaming service, with access to more than 110 million tracks, available in 34 countries. 

Infinite Reality stated that it plans to further evolve the Napster brand, with an aim of making it the leading immersive music platform for artists, fans, and curators. For more information on Infinite Reality and its mission to accelerate the global adoption of immersive technologies across industries and use cases, please visit the company’s website.

Image / video credit: Infinite Reality / Napster