Last Updated: 2025-09-19
THE FINALS is a competitive game show set inside a vast virtual reality. Contestants from around the world connect through advanced VR technology to take part in high-stakes matches, broadcast as a global entertainment spectacle.
The game show exists within a simulated environment, but it is anchored in the meatspace—the physical world outside the simulation. In this dystopian future, most people spend the majority of their lives inside virtual worlds. THE FINALS is one of the most popular of these experiences, blending competition, spectacle, and destruction into a single format.
Players take the role of Contestants entering the game show.
Contestants connect from different real-world locations and join the show through VR technology.
Once inside the show, Contestants are grouped into teams, each assigned a unique team name.
THE FINALS is sponsored by a variety of corporations, all part of MultiCo.
Sponsors shape the theme, style, and branding of the show.
Teams compete against one another in dynamic Arenas designed for destruction and spectacle.
Matches take place in the Arena, the central stage of THE FINALS.
Each Arena is themed after a recognizable real-world location.
Weather conditions, time of day, and environmental variations change from match to match, ensuring no two games feel the same.
What is “meatspace”?
Meatspace refers to the real, physical world outside the virtual reality of THE FINALS. In the dystopian future setting, most people spend their lives connected to VR, making meatspace less central to daily life.
Who are the Sponsors?
Sponsors are corporations that finance and promote the show. All sponsors are part of a larger conglomerate known as MultiCo. (See the Sponsors and MultiCo article for more details.)
How are teams formed?
Contestants are grouped into teams when entering a match. Each team is given a distinct name and competes together inside the Arena.
What are Arenas?
Arenas are the stages where matches take place. They are virtual environments modeled after real-world locations, with weather, lighting, and conditions that can change from match to match.
Is every match the same?
No. Each match can feature different Arenas, weather conditions, and variations to keep the experience fresh and unpredictable.
Why is THE FINALS presented as a game show?
The game show format highlights the entertainment aspect of the competition. Contestants aren’t just fighting for victory, they are also performing for a global audience.
Next up: Is THE FINALS free to play?