A world that will have its own economy and its own currency. A VR world with its own Marketplace, Games, Social experiences and Virtual Land ownership. A VR world which is fully interconnected and seamless.

113 Stories To Learn About Gamefi

Only a short while back, metaverses intertwined with crypto and blockchain dominated discussions. Lauded as the upcoming era of the digital domain, they aimed to merge virtual reality with decentralized mechanisms flawlessly. Almost every tech-related forum, blog, and media platform buzzed with talk about metaverse advancements. Now, the fervent discussions have subdued. However, interpreting this quiet period as the decline of metaverses would be a misjudgment. The platform alone over 50 million daily users, a testament to the enduring fascination with experiences, and the importance of staying informed about what is going on in the metaverse world. Roblox boasts metaversal Delving into the Concept of a Metaverse At the heart of lies the fundamental concept of limitless potential, a realm where boundaries between the physical and digital blur. These expansive digital universes aren't just alternative dimensions where individuals can escape; they are the next frontier of human interaction, commerce, and innovation. metaverses Imagine, for a moment, the vast landscapes of our world — from bustling metropolises to serene countrysides. Now, transpose this into a digital setting. In metaverses, these landscapes are recrafted and redesigned with a blend of realism and imagination. But what truly sets a metaverse apart is the way users interact with it. It's not just a world viewed behind a screen; it's a world where you, as an individual, can feel, touch, modify, and influence. Traditional digital platforms often relegate users to the role of passive consumers. They scroll, click, like, and share, but there's limited scope for creation or true engagement. In metaverses, this paradigm is upturned. Every user can be a creator, trader, entrepreneur, or explorer. The tools and capabilities provided within these platforms allow for profound personal and collective narratives to unfold. A Retrospective Glimpse at Leading Metaverses As the digital realm continued to evolve, the concept of metaverses became more than just a fantasy. These virtual universes, blending elements of gaming, social networking, and decentralized financial systems, became hotbeds for innovation and cultural expression. With the fusion of blockchain technology, the verifiable ownership of digital assets became possible, making way for economic transactions in these new worlds. The blockchain universe saw the rise of several ambitious metaverses, each with its unique selling proposition: Decentraland More than a game, it was an entire world where users could lay claim to digital parcels of land. Using its token, , participants could purchase, develop, and trade their virtual assets. MANA CryptoVoxels This platform embraced a voxel-based approach, reminiscent of games like Minecraft, but supercharged with the power of the Ethereum blockchain for genuine ownership. The Sandbox With its tagline of 'play, own, and monetize,' The Sandbox provided a canvas for users to shape their narratives, all while transacting with the native token. SAND Somnium Space Diving into the realm of virtual reality, Somnium Space gave users a more immersive experience. The platform offers a continuum of land parcels where users could build, socialize, and even attend live events. Analyzing the Current Scenario Metaverses may have retreated from the spotlight, but they are still very much active entities in the digital realm. A closer look at the numbers paints an intriguing picture: If one were to glance at the financial metrics, metaverse-associated tokens, like MANA for Decentraland or SAND for The Sandbox, still maintain substantial market caps. Though not reaching their dizzying past heights, these figures suggest ongoing confidence and investment from the crypto community. Decentraland, as instance, remains a hotspot for enthusiasts. Astoundingly, transactions reaching up to have been documented in recent times, underscoring the fervor and dynamism of its market. nine figures Even if the rate of new adopters has decelerated, the vigor of existing metaverse communities has not waned. Platforms like Somnium Space and CryptoVoxels see their denizens organizing virtual concerts, art exhibitions, and a myriad of other events. These undertakings not only reinforce the platforms' relevance but also testify to their enduring appeal. The crypto arena, by its very nature, is marked by rapid shifts in interest — today's focal point might be overshadowed by tomorrow's novelty. However, this ever-changing limelight shouldn't be mistaken for a verdict on the value or potential of metaverses. Instead, it can be seen as a sign of an evolving and maturing market ecosystem Peering into the Crystal Ball: The Future of Metaverses The trajectory of technology has always been fascinating to observe. From the initial spark of excitement, it often undergoes scrutiny and skepticism, eventually finding its footing and gradually becoming a part of our daily lives. Metaverses are no exception, currently at a pivotal juncture, reflecting and refining, preparing for an expansive and integrated tomorrow. Blending Reality and Fantasy One of the most promising prospects is the potential fusion of metaverses with augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR). Consider platforms akin to the Oculus Quest or Microsoft's HoloLens evolving further to provide not just gaming experiences but full-fledged alternate lives. Here, users won't merely play characters; they would immerse themselves fully, feeling and emoting in a digital dimension, reminiscent of the experiences portrayed in movies like "Ready Player One." Decentralized Finance Meets Virtual Worlds The DeFi space is ripe with innovation. When paired with metaverses, the possibilities seem endless. Think about platforms similar to Decentraland where one's virtual property isn't just a piece of digital real estate but an asset. This virtual land could be staked or mortgaged, drawing parallels with real-world property. Moreover, envision a digital marketplace where, inspired by platforms like , one can invest in, and profit from, virtual businesses or art galleries. Yield Guild Games Democratizing Digital Universes The mysteries of blockchain and cryptocurrency, which once seemed arcane to the general populace, are becoming increasingly accessible. Platforms like Coinbase or Binance have already made crypto transactions more user-friendly. As these technologies become mainstream, the gateway to metaverses will open wider, ushering in a more eclectic mix of users, bringing diverse perspectives and innovations. The Emergence of a Meta-ecosystem The isolated silos of individual metaverses might give way to a more collaborative environment. Just as interoperability is a buzzword in today's tech circles, metaverses might adopt a similar path. Assets acquired in Somnium Space might be showcased in The Sandbox, or an identity crafted in CryptoVoxels could be recognized and celebrated in Decentraland. This interconnectedness would elevate the idea of a virtual universe to a whole new level. Final Reflections While the prevailing discourse around metaverses hints at a tempered excitement, it's crucial to step back and observe the larger canvas. Technological journeys, particularly those as groundbreaking as metaverses, rarely progress in a straight line. They experience crests and troughs, refining themselves along the way. Such periods of calm often mask underlying currents of creativity. Visionaries, creators, and trailblazers in the domain might be leveraging this lull to fine-tune glitches, enhance user immersion, and set the stage for a renewed upsurge in metaverse advancements. Therefore, for aficionados, financial backers, and those merely watching from the sidelines, staying attuned might be prudent. The metaverse narrative is still unfolding, and it's plausible that its most captivating tales are yet on the horizon.

The Rise, Fall, and Potential Resurgence of Metaverses in the Crypto World

In our we talked about some of the most popular crypto brands and services in different categories. They included exchanges, stablecoins, wallets, and foundations. Now, it’s time to learn more categories of crypto names and brands you should know. previous article, As we mentioned before, according to the , They include exchanges, funds, marketplaces, market research, supply chain management, mining, payment ramps, investments, wallets, security, e-sports, gaming, Metaverses, trading, smart contracts, identity, and much more. Let’s discover what else they can offer!\ research firm Golden there are over 11,000 crypto companies and projects worldwide. Development Companies Not every cryptocurrency project or their development is led by non-profits. Indeed, there are a lot of (for-profit) companies behind popular coins and other crypto products. Let’s see some of them. Ripple Labs This American company promotes itself as “the leading provider of crypto solutions for businesses.” It was founded in 2012 by Chris Larsen and Jed McCaleb, and , which specializes in international payments. It’s also widely known for its legal battle against the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). This entity accused them of selling non-registered securities (XRP) in the country. it’s better known for the creation of one of the most popular coins to date, XRP (originally Ripple) Lightning Labs Lightning Network is a second-layer solution for faster, cheaper transactions via off-chain payment channels —and likely the first-ever layer-2 (secondary chain). It was designed for Bitcoin, but it also works in Litecoin and . Lightning Labs, founded in 2016 by Elizabeth Stark and Olaoluwa Osuntokun, , and actively promoting Lightning Network adoption. other altcoins is a key American developer of Lightning Network technologies, offering products like LND and Neutrino Blockstream This is a Canadian blockchain company founded in 2014 by its current leader, Adam Back (a cryptographer cited in the Bitcoin whitepaper). mainly on Bitcoin-related services, Blockstream also supports the development of the first cryptocurrency by funding several Bitcoin Core open-source developers. They work including the sidechain Liquid and their satellite network to make offline transactions worldwide. More firms Of course, there are way more crypto developers for-profit. We can mention EMURGO and IOHK (Cardano/ADA), Solana Labs (Solana/SOL), Polygon Technology (Polygon/MATIC), Ava Labs (Avalanche/AVAX), Protocol Labs (Filecoin/FIL), TrustToken (Stablecoin issuer), Anchorage Digital (Crypto Infrastructure for Business), Galaxy Digital Holdings (Crypto Asset Management), Block/Square (Crypto Payment Processing), Chainalysis (Security and Analytics), and Digital Currency Group (venture capital and owner of CoinDesk, Foundry, Genesis Trading, Grayscale Investments, and Luno). Crypto News Portals These are websites or platforms dedicated to providing up-to-date information and analysis about different tokens and the crypto industry. They offer news, market data, educational content, and insights. Some of the most renowned are: CoinDesk It was founded in 2013 by entrepreneur Shakil Khan, and eventually acquired by the Digital Currency Group. It provides extensive cryptocurrency news, market data, and event coverage. , and also for reporting first the infamous balance that led FTX Exchange to bankruptcy. It’s known for its international-attended annual event Consensus Bitcoin Magazine Established in 2012 by Mihai Alisie and Vitalik Buterin (Ethereum founder), is still an influential crypto publication. It was sold in 2014 to BTC Inc., an American company. Bitcoin Magazine It offers articles, insights, and educational content about Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. CoinTelegraph It was established in 2013 by an international team, and it’s now based in the United States. offers a wide range of crypto news, interviews, analysis, and educational resources. Besides, The portal it’s available in eleven languages, including English, Arabic, Chinese, and Spanish. More portals Other popular crypto portals include Decrypt, CryptoSlate, NewsBTC, and CryptoPotato. These platforms provide a mix of news, analysis, market data, and educational content, catering to a diverse audience interested in cryptocurrency. You can also find more local crypto portals in every country, covering national news. Metaverses A crypto metaverse is a virtual, decentralized, and ledger-based environment where users can interact, create, play, and transact using digital assets within a shared, immersive, online space. You can have your own avatar on them, and this one could be a Non-Fungible Token (NFT). Decentraland Founded in 2017, Decentraland is an Ethereum-based metaverse. The creators, Ari Meilich and Esteban Ordano, originate from Argentina. . It also has its own native cryptocurrency, MANA. It offers a user-owned virtual world where users can buy, sell, and build on virtual lands (as NFTs) The Sandbox This crypto Metaverse was first a mobile game released in 2012 by the brand Pixowl. It was transformed into what it is today in 2021 by Animoca Brands. is now . It also offers customized avatars and has its own native coin, SAND. The Sandbox a 3D world based on Polygon where it’s possible to build your own games and NFTs without coding Alien Worlds It was released in 2020 by the firm Dacoco on the WAX blockchain. features six alien worlds where It’s also possible to host events and collect NFTs in the form of avatars, weapons, tools, and other items. This Metaverse explorers can go into missions, own digital lands, and mine Trilium (TLM). More crypto-verses Other notable crypto metaverses include CryptoVoxels, Somnium Space, and Upland. CryptoVoxels is an Ethereum-based virtual world for users to build and monetize spaces. Somnium Space is a VR-centric metaverse with a focus on social interactions. Upland merges the real world with digital ownership, allowing users to buy, sell, and trade virtual real estate. NFT Projects NFT projects, or Non-Fungible Token projects, create and sell unique digital assets that are indivisible and provably scarce on distributed networks. These tokens represent ownership of digital or physical items. Additionally, every project can offer unique features, experiences, and benefits to its owners. CryptoPunks This is likely the first-ever NFT collection, and it was released in 2017 by Larva Labs. All of them were for free initially, but now every piece is valued at over 60 ETH (around $92,880). The rarer units have been sold . It offers 10,000 unique 24x24 pixel art “punk” characters registered on Ethereum. given away for millions Axie Infinity Released in 2018 by the Vietnamese studio Sky Mavis, Players can collect, breed, train, and trade axies while earning rewards for doing it. The game has its own chain, Ronin, compatible with Ethereum. Currently, over 11.8 million axies, but only 422,830 are available to trade. it’s a play-to-earn battle game that features NFT creatures called “axies.” there are Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC) This collection was released in 2021 by Yuga Labs. They’re meant to represent membership in an exclusive virtual club with social and utility benefits. is currently developing its own Metaverse about it, called “Otherside.” It offers 10,000 “bored apes” images with unique traits, registered as NFTs on Ethereum. Yuga Labs A rain of NFTs There are innumerable NFTs at this point since practically anyone with Internet access can make their own. According to , The most popular projects include CrypToadz, Art Blocks, Pudgy Penguins, Azuki, Meebits, and CloneX. Now, remember that if you want to make your own NFTs, and sell them without coding in the Obyte-based NFT marketplace CryptoThings. NonFungible there were at least 3,724 NFT sales in the last week, amounting to over $2.5 million. it’s possible to create them Bonus: A Blacklist Some names are also important to remember but in a bad way. Seasoned crypto enthusiasts and analysts will talk about them a lot, so you also need to know what happened. Here we have several failed and/or infamous crypto projects that caused a lot of harm to the market in the past. Mt. Gox Founded in 2010 by Jed McCaleb and Mark Karpelès, Mt. Gox was a Japanese cryptocurrency exchange, and the largest of its time worldwide. It failed in 2014 due to serious security breaches, resulting in a massive loss of customer funds and insolvency. Terra (LUNA) Terra, created by Daniel Shin and Do Kwon in South Korea, was launched in 2018. Technically, it still exists, but its native stablecoin, Terra USD (UST), failed big in 2022. . A lot of people worldwide suffered the consequences, as their investments and savings in these coins were suddenly erased. Do Kwon was arrested in 2023. UST's price plummeted to $0.1 (90% less than its peg) in May, dragging LUNA (the native currency of Terra) down with it FTX Founded by Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF) and Gary Wang in 2017, FTX was the third-largest cryptocurrency exchange globally in 2021. Now, it's nothing but an infamous name. They faced serious liquidity issues to the point of going bankrupt in November 2022. and a lack of financial controls within the company. SBF was arrested in the US. Bankruptcy proceedings revealed massive debts (of around $3 billion), misuse of customer funds, For more blacklisted crypto names, you can check our list of the . Now, if you want to start in this complex world without complications, remember that you can download the user-friendly . Payments, smart contracts, chatbots, exchanges, and more are waiting for you without coding! biggest crypto crashes Obyte wallet Featured Vector Image by Freepik

Crypto for Beginners: Must-Know Brands and Names —Part 2

নতুনদের জন্য ক্রিপ্টো: অবশ্যই ব্র্যান্ড এবং নাম জানতে হবে —পর্ব 2

Krypto für Anfänger: Marken und Namen, die man kennen muss – Teil 2

Cripto para principiantes: marcas y nombres imprescindibles: parte 2

Crypto pour les débutants : marques et noms incontournables – Partie 2

शुरुआती लोगों के लिए क्रिप्टो: अवश्य जानें ब्रांड और नाम—भाग 2

初心者のための暗号通貨: 知っておくべきブランドと名前 — パート 2

초보자를 위한 암호화폐: 꼭 알아야 할 브랜드 및 이름 —2부

Criptografia para iniciantes: marcas e nomes imperdíveis - Parte 2

Криптовалюта для начинающих: бренды и названия, которые необходимо знать — часть 2

Yeni Başlayanlar İçin Kripto: Bilinmesi Gereken Markalar ve İsimler - 2. Bölüm

Tiền điện tử cho người mới bắt đầu: Những thương hiệu và tên phải biết —Phần 2

加密货币初学者：必须了解的品牌和名称 - 第 2 部分

As the world becomes increasingly digitized, the Web3 Growth Stack has emerged as a key innovation in the digital landscape. This set of tools enables product managers and marketers to utilize Web3 technologies to acquire, engage, and retain customers. However, the current growth stack, primarily built around Web2, has shown limitations in serving the needs of Web3 products and applications. In this article, we'll delve into the Web3 Growth Industry, examining the technology, key players, and trends that are shaping the future of the Internet. Understanding Web3 Growth Stack The Web3 Growth Stack comprises the tools and platforms that help businesses in user acquisition, measuring retention and engagement, and monitoring conversion and monetization. As we move forward into 2023, the Web3 Growth Stack is experiencing significant growth and development, driven by the integration of core crypto primitives, such as on-chain attribution and identity, and native bi-directional value flow. The Web3 Growth Funnel To better understand the impact of ideas on the industry, it's essential to examine each part of the growth funnel. We'll start with user acquisition and then move on to engagement and retention. Web3 User Acquisition in Web3 User acquisition refers to the process of finding, acquiring, and activating new users for a product. In the Web3 ecosystem, user acquisition relies on advanced targeting and segmentation, enabled by on-chain data coupled with off-chain information. This approach results in more accurate targeting and better user experiences. Moreover, Web3-enabled ad units can allow users to claim rewards or make purchases directly within the ad, without leaving the publisher's page. This has the potential to revolutionize core advertising metrics, transforming cost-per-click and cost-per-impression models into cost-per-transaction models. In addition to advertising, direct outbound marketing can also benefit from the integration of Web3 technologies. Address-to-address messaging through protocols like Dialect, XMTP, and Nansen Connect allows for Web3-native lifecycle marketing and dynamic inboxes that prioritize value-laden messages. Engagement in Web3 Engagement analysis is crucial for understanding user behavior and making informed decisions about product improvements. Crypto-native teams like Raleon, Merlin, and Garden are working on solutions that combine Web2 engagement tools with on-chain attribution and identity. By linking granular in-app actions to on-chain personas, product teams can identify inflection points in the product lifecycle and address issues like Sybil attacks more effectively. Retention in Web3 Retaining customers is often more cost-effective than acquiring new ones, making it a crucial aspect of the growth funnel. Web3 identity and attribution data allow product teams to develop stronger incentive models and improve customer loyalty. Projects like Galxe, Layer3, Gitcoin, and various education projects are leveraging on-chain credentials, targeted airdrops, and token-gated events to engage and retain users. Also, such companies are exploring ways to incentivize users through rewards and ownership. Trends Shaping the Web3 Growth Industry As the Web3 Growth Industry continues to evolve, several trends are shaping the future of the Internet. Some of these trends include: As the number of blockchain networks grows, cross-chain interoperability becomes a critical factor in ensuring a seamless user experience. The integration of Web3 tools and platforms across multiple networks will allow users to navigate and interact with various decentralized applications (dApps) without friction. Projects like Layer0, Chainlink CCIP are working on protocols to facilitate interoperability. Cross-chain Interoperability: The rise of DeFi has brought forth a new paradigm for financial interactions in the digital space. By integrating DeFi tools and protocols into the Web3 Growth Stack, companies can enable seamless financial transactions and create innovative monetization strategies. Examples include platforms such as Uniswap, Aave, and Compound. Decentralized Finance (DeFi) Integration: With the increasing adoption of Web3 technologies, privacy and security are crucial concerns for users and developers alike. Solutions that address these concerns while maintaining compliance with regulations will be vital for the success of the Web3 Growth Stack. Projects like Zcash, Monero, and Tornado Cash are working on privacy-preserving technologies to help achieve this balance. Privacy and Security: Us : As Web3 technologies become more mainstream, user education and onboarding will play a critical role in driving adoption. Simplifying the user experience, reducing barriers to entry, and creating clear educational materials will be essential for engaging and retaining users in the Web3 ecosystem.Projects here are focused on fostering education and awareness around Web3 technologies. er Education and Onboarding The Role of NFTs and Virtual Realms in the Web3 Growth Industry Non-fungible Tokens (NFTs): NFTs have garnered significant attention in recent years, thanks to their unique properties and applications in various industries, including art, gaming, and collectibles. As part of the Web3 Growth Stack, can enable innovative ways to engage users, monetize content, and build digital communities. NFT marketplaces like OpenSea, Rarible, and SuperRare have emerged as popular platforms for buying, selling, and discovering unique digital assets. NFTs Virtual Realms and Metaverse: The metaverse is a collective virtual space where users can interact, create, and explore in a shared digital environment. Virtual realms like Decentraland, The Sandbox, and Somnium Space are pioneering the metaverse concept, integrating Web3 technologies to create immersive experiences and enable user-driven economies. As the Web3 Growth Industry expands, we can expect the metaverse to play an increasingly prominent role in shaping the future of digital interactions. Challenges and Opportunities in the Web3 Growth Industry As the Web3 Growth Stack gains traction, businesses and developers must navigate various challenges and opportunities in the emerging landscape: Scalability: As more users and applications adopt Web3 technologies, the ability to scale efficiently becomes increasingly important. Layer-2 solutions like Optimistic and ZK Rollups can help address scalability concerns, enabling faster transactions and lower fees. However, further research and development are needed to ensure these solutions meet the demands of a growing Web3 ecosystem. Regulation and Compliance: The Web3 Growth Industry faces a complex regulatory environment that varies by jurisdiction. Companies must navigate these regulatory challenges while ensuring they remain compliant with existing and emerging laws. This includes adhering to guidelines around user privacy, data protection, and (AML) requirements. Staying informed about the evolving regulatory landscape and collaborating with legal experts will be crucial for businesses operating in the Web3 space. anti-money laundering Token Economics: The tokenization of digital assets and services is a key component of the Web3 Growth Stack. Companies must carefully design token economic models to ensure their sustainability and value creation for users. This includes striking a balance between utility, governance, and incentives while avoiding potential pitfalls like hyperinflation or token concentration. Ecosystem Collaboration: The Web3 Growth Industry is marked by rapid innovation and competition. To thrive, companies must actively engage with the broader ecosystem, collaborating with other projects, developers, and users to build synergies and drive collective growth. Participating in industry events, contributing to open-source initiatives, and fostering partnerships can help businesses stay connected and relevant in the ever-changing Web3 landscape. Final Thoughts The Web3 Growth Stack is an exciting development that offers immense potential for businesses and users alike. By embracing this new paradigm, companies can unlock the transformative power of decentralization and create more engaging, user-centric digital experiences. As the Web3 Growth Industry continues to evolve, it is crucial for businesses to stay informed about the latest trends, technologies, and challenges. By understanding the intricacies of the Web3 Growth Stack, companies can position themselves at the forefront of this digital revolution, unlocking new opportunities and shaping the future of the internet.

An Overview of the Web3 Growth Industry 

According to , the market cap of the metaverse will be over $5 Trillion by 2030. Well, this seems to be the future of the internet. Mckinsey This primer breaks down all you need to know about investing in real estate on the metaverse. What is the metaverse? The metaverse is described as a virtual world where you can interact, build a home, play games, host events and even attend meetings and concerts. Think of anything you can do in the real world, and now take that online- except eating, at least not at the moment. It is mostly powered on the blockchain and leverages web 3.0 technologies such NFTs and Cryptocurrencies. The concept of having a metaverse is not entirely new as gaming companies have been trying to create them on their platforms. The recent foray of blockchain, its popularity and widespread adoption has given impetus to the metaverse, enabling gaming developers to create 3 D models of the world that replicate day to day real-life activities. Users can visit the metaverse through their laptops/ phones or they can access it through virtual reality headsets. Buying Land on the Metaverse These are popular sites where you can buy parcels of land on the metaverse: Sandbox- native token is SAND Decentraland- native token is MANA Upland- native token is UPX Somnium Space- native toke is CUBE Axie Infinity- native token is AXS Illuvium- native token is ILV Parcels of land on the metaverse are usually limited and scarce. For example, on the Sandbox metaverse, there is a total of 166, 464 parcels of land. This means that once all these have been sold, no new land can be developed on this metaverse. There are over 12000 landowners on the Sandbox Metaverse and this number keeps increasing. These parcels are big in size and are measured in Voxels. To put it into perspective, one parcel of land has a length 96 meters, width of  96 meters and height of 128 meters. One meter is equivalent to 32 voxels. When purchasing land, visit the metaverse where you would like to purchase the land and sign up. Once logged in, go to the marketplace and check the various offerings available. You need to have the native currency of the metaverse on which you will buy your land from. For example, if you are buying your land on Decentraland, you will need MENA tokens. If you are buying it from Sandbox, you need SAND tokens. The value of these tokens fluctuates with market forces and is also affected by the price of ETH. You can check the prices of these tokens on coinmarketcap. In some instances, you can purchase land from these metaverses on NFT marketplaces such Opensea. To get an experience of  parcels on Opensea, get the coordinates of the land and insert them on the metaverse you are buying from; it should give you details of the land and a general feel of the neighborhood. Before making any purchase, check and see what the parcel of land looks like by clicking on it and experiencing the area surrounding it. Once the purchase has been made, you can build whatever you want on that piece of land. These lands are basically virtual grounds from which players can build their own experience and unlock their creative potential. When we talk about anything, we mean anything. This can range from property, wearables, games, parties, events, meetings and even a manufacturing plant. Metaverses are basically hinged on User-generated Content- the users create the kind of world they would want and interact from there. On the metaverse, all assets created are  NFTs- they are unique, represent ownership and can be traded. The Value of Land Value of land on the Metaverses is determined by the following factors: Location/ Popularity What’s the population and traffic that frequents that location?  Are there events that are hosted within your neighborhood? The higher the traffic, the higher the value of that parcel. As a buyer, you can also check the map and see who owns the parcels of land that surround your neighborhood. Land that is surrounded by big brands or notable names may be of higher value. Size Land sizes that are large tend to gain value over time as  they can host multiple businesses and can be rented out to large enterprises. Large piece of  land means developers have enough room to create more experiences within that  parcel, ultimately leading to more traffic. Scarcity In Sandbox metaverse, there’s a limited number of land that can be developed. This scarcity tends to push the value of the land up since once all land has been sold on that metaverse then no more land can be developed. Price of  Land The price of land depends on its value and the metaverse you will be buying the land from. This can range from a few thousand dollars to millions of dollars. Land is usually priced in the native token of the host Metaverse. You can check the price of each land on the market place section of your preferred metaverse. Uses of land/ Making Money from your Parcels Buy and wait You can buy your piece of land as a speculative asset and simply wait for its price to appreciate before selling it. Build a business and profit from it You can basically build any business you want on your piece of land. Every asset you build is considered an NFT. Most metaverse platforms offer user- friendly, no- code tools that gamers can use to build assets on their parcels of land. Landowners can create businesses that sell NFTs, assortments, in-game ammunition and even avatars. Rent it out Landowners can also rent out their parcels of land to other buyers and earn rental income from the land. Build a home You can also build a home  and customize it to your liking, invite friends over, host parties and meetings from this home. Alternative strategies for Investing In Metaverse Real Estate Investors who consider buying land directly from the metaverse as being too tedious still have a chance of benefiting from this tech trend. Here are some alternative land-buying strategies to consider: Metaverse Reits Reits is short for real Estate Investment Trust. It is basically a fund that is managed by investment professionals who will invest on metaverse real estate on your behalf. As an investor, you will get annual returns from our investment based in the performance of your fund manager. Metaverse Index This is a basket of tokens that are related to the metaverse. If you invest in them, you get access to an assortment of tokens in the metaverse, thus, you are not exposed to the fluctuations from one token. Invest in Metaverse Platform tokens You can also invest in the native tokens of different Metaverse platforms. Seeing that this is still a novel technology, investors stand a chance to profit from the upside potential of these tokens as the market grows. Invest in Metaverse Stocks/Tech companies Companies such as Facebook ( Meta) have expressed their desire to pivot into the metaverse. Investors can take advantage of this by investing in their stocks early enough. From all these, we see that there exists lots of opportunities to invest in land in the metaverse. Savvy investors can take advantage of this and invest in land on the metaverse.

All You Need to Know About Investing in Metaverse Real Estate

The Economist’s Metaverse Summit 2022 will help senior business leaders define and build
mixed reality experiences that will add economic and social value. The event will take place on October 26-27th, comprising an in-person experience on
October 26th in San Jose and one day in the metaverse on October 27th. As the boundaries between virtual and real life become increasingly blurred, this event will
offer a credible and nuanced perspective of the true scope of Web3. Gain an unparalleled understanding from speakers, including: , Managing partner, Matthew Ball EpyllionCo , Founder and executive chairman, Sir Martin Sorrell S4 Capital , Chairwoman and chief executive officer, Ann Mukherjee Pernod Ricard North America , Co-founder and chief metaverse officer, Cathy Hackl Journey , Professor of industrial and systems engineering, Dr. Tom Furness University of Washington , Chairman of the board, Yat Siu Animoca Brands , Creator of Second Life and Founder, Philip Rosedale High Fidelity , Founder, Ori Shimony dOrg , President, Alvin Graylin HTC China , Senior vice president of product, visual and global head of
metaverse, Web3, Sebastian Brauer Crate & Barrel , Founder and managing partner, Anthony Scaramucci SkyBridge Capital , Chief executive officer, Artur Sychov Somnium Space , Chief metaverse officer, Joanna Popper CAA , Founder and chief executive officer, Jamie Burke Outlier Ventures , Chief executive officer, Sebastian Borget The Sandbox , Founder, Teddy Pahabgia BLVCK PiXEL , Professor of legal studies and business ethics, Kevin Werbach Wharton University of Pennsylvania , Senior vice president of metaverse innovation strategy, Catherine Henry MediaMonks , Chief executive officer, Janine Yorio Everyrealm , Co-founder and chief executive officer, Andrew Kiguel Tokens.com , Author of the QuHarrison Terry Metaverse Handbook , Chief executive officer, Elizabeth Hyman XR Association , Chief brand officer, Noel Mack Gymshark Chief business officer, Craig Donato, Roblox , Chief commercial officer, Beverly Rider NEOM Our case-study-led program includes: Defining and creating the metaverse Brand building and immersive experiences Technology and infrastructure Crypto, blockchain and the creator economy Data, governance and society Our metaverse future of work Register your complimentary pass for the Metaverse Summit Join us in person on Wednesday, October 26th, and in the metaverse on Thursday, October 27th by registering for a delegate pass; full access will include a program of 100+ speakers, over 60 sessions, and access to all the networking opportunities to meet 400+ attendees in San Jose and 2,000+ online. Organized by Economist Impact Events Find out more! >>> The Metaverse Summit is a conference for relevant job functions already implementing or exploring XR/VR/AR/immersive technologies within corporations. This is a B2B event rather than a B2C event so we cannot offer any of the limited places to students.

Metaverse Summit: From Shared Virtual Experience to Real Value

A 31-years old Indonesian, named Clerkclirk, bought a virtual penthouse for $36,000 and sold it just two days later for more than triple of the original price. Another investor in real estate in the metaverse, Armando Aguilar, proudly said, “My metaverse backyard is appreciating more than my real estate.” Aguilar’s virtual land in the Sandbox metaverse platform its original value. surged 1,400 times To replicate the aforementioned success, more and more businesses and private investors buy land in the metaverse. If you are considering purchasing virtual property and benefiting from , you are probably asking yourself a set of questions: How to buy virtual real estate in the metaverse? Is it safe? How to choose the right spot? And how much will it cost? metaverse software development services Keep reading, and hopefully, this will help you make your decision. What is metaverse real estate? Metaverse real estate are parcels of land or commercial and residential buildings that exist in a virtual world. On that land, you can create all types of property — from advertising billboards to commercial districts and headquarters of companies that exist in real life. In the simplest sense, the metaverse real estate objects are pixels on your computer screen. But they are also programmable spaces on different platforms where people can socialize, sell non-fungible tokens (NFTs), play games, advertise their products and services, and even attend business meetings via 3D avatars. This is how Janine Yorio, CEO of Republic Realm, metaverse real estate in New Rules of Business podcast, “Metaverse real estate is an NFT. They are a JPEG or [digital file that] points to a specific file that is logged on the blockchain, which is this ledger that tracks who owns [each asset]. Much the same way that if you bought land in a town, you'd go to the town hall and open a drawer to find your deed. Instead, you're looking at the blockchain.” explained Since Facebook rebranded itself as Meta, in 2021, the value of real estate in the metaverse market has increased significantly, and it is predicted to continue rising at a from 2022 to 2028. CAGR of 31.2% How to buy real estate in the metaverse? To buy virtual land in the metaverse, you first need to get hold of cryptocurrency. Some metaverse platforms provide their own coinage. For example, Sandbox trades its native cryptocurrency SAND, and Decentraland uses MANA. Sometimes, general-purpose cryptocurrencies, such as Ethereum, work as well. Even though the land is virtual, it is secured with a very real thing, NFTs. When someone purchases real estate in the metaverse, this transaction is recorded on the blockchain, and the corresponding NFT transfers into the buyer’s digital wallet. and wallets are rather popular. Metamask Binance You can buy virtual properties directly from your platform of choice, or you can benefit from third-party resellers, such as , a platform that allows owners to list their property and buyers to negotiate the price. nonfungible.com Metaverse real estate prices Real estate in the metaverse costs are skyrocketing. Take, for instance, Decentraland. When the platform held its first auction in December 2017, it sold parcels of land for . By 2021, the cost of this commodity catapulted to $6,000, and it kept increasing to reach $15,000 by the start of 2022. Virtual land on the Sandbox, another metaverse platform, grew by . $20 each 15,000% in 2021 Prices of virtual land plots can vary significantly based on their size, platform, and location. You can get a small parcel in Somnium Space , while a lavish plot on Decentraland would cost you . for $6,362 $2.4 million When you prepare for metaverse real estate investing, don’t forget about all the accompanying expenses. Besides the parcel’s price, you are likely to pay processing fees, which can amount to 5% of the land price, in addition to gas fees for Ethereum-based projects. Also, some metaverse platforms require you to trade in their native cryptocurrency. If you don’t have those, be prepared to exchange one currency for another with all the losses that this transaction entails. Metaverse real estate platforms There are four commonly used metaverse platforms – The Sandbox, Decentraland, Cryptovoxels, and Somnium Space. The first two offer a well-established infrastructure and feature celebrities as landlords and tenants. The Sandbox is particularly popular with celebrities. According to Yat Siu, Co-founder of Aminoca Brands, the owner of the Sandbox, "What makes Sandbox land valuable is not the fact that they're blocky pieces of land. It's the fact that the most influential people in the space are building on it." This list includes Paris Hilton and Snoop Dogg, who owns a mansion and throws parties. The four platforms together offer varying in size. Below you can find a brief description of every platform, and a graph representing sales for a one-month period. The graphs for all four platforms are constructed for the same timeline, so that you can compare them for profitability. 268,645 parcels of land Sandbox https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltwH9RjGdxc With 166,464 parcels, 96 x 96 meters each, this metaverse real estate platform owns approximately 62% of the entire market. It has its cryptocurrency – i.e., SAND — and it uses the Ethereum blockchain. The Sandbox leans towards gamification. It supplies users with tools to craft items and even create their own games. The platform consists of three integrated products: This is a powerful 3D voxel modeling and NFT creation package, which allows participants to build and animate objects, such as humans, animals, tools, etc. Created items can be exported into the Sandbox marketplace to represent game assets. VoxEdit. This is the marketplace where users can upload and sell their VoxEdit creations. All items are first uploaded to the IPFS network for storage and are registered on a blockchain to prove ownership. Afterwards, items become assets and can be exhibited and sold in the marketplace. Marketplace. It allows users to develop games for free with the help of visual scripting tools. Game Maker. Participants can generate revenue by creating assets and games, and by buying and renting land. The Sandbox secured over 50 partnerships with renowned companies and brands, such as Atari and Dapper Labs. Decentraland https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HmXrOTEmxg Decentraland contains 90,601 parcels of land 16 x 16 meter each, and the whole metaverse is divided into several districts. This real estate in the metaverse platform is built on the Ethereum blockchain and is entirely user-owned, allowing the participants to create avatars, marketplaces, and virtual settings. It offers its native cryptocurrency, MANA, which can be easily purchased through popular crypto exchanges. There are two ways to create digital content on Decentraland: is a drag-and-drop visual tool. Users have access to a large number of pre-made items, including interactive items that react to players’ feedback. It is also possible to import custom models. The Builder supports writing code, which gives great flexibility for creating items and scenes The SDK Participants can generate revenue by creating and selling items, but also by advertising and offering paid experiences to other users. Cryptovoxels https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMAkpeyWGWA This real estate in the metaverse platform is also powered by the Ethereum blockchain. It offers 6,554 land plots with an average price of , but some premium locations can sell for as much as $10,000. $5,000 per lot Users can buy land parcels and create storefronts, art galleries, theaters, and mazes. Visually, this game looks like a combination of Minecraft and Facebook. Users build blocks and then customize their design by adding text, images, and audio files. Participants can make money by selling their avatars, unique usernames, and NFT items, as well as reselling virtual land. One innovative feature of this platform is supporting VR headsets, such as Oculus Rift and HTC Vive. Somnium Space https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzmSpC6cP3M This metaverse real estate platform contains 5,026 parcels of land that can come in three different sizes: small, medium, and extra-large. One can buy small parcels for , while large plots can cost up to $43,000. $2,000 to $4,000 Somnium Space offers an immersive VR experience and can be accessed through a laptop or a mobile device. It offers a software development kit to support users in the creation and customization of their own avatars and property. The platform’s cooperation with the Polygon network allows participants to transfer their assets in and out Somnium Space to reduce fees. This metaverse platform allows users to tokenize their avatars, land, wearables, vehicles, tickets etc. using the Ethereum blockchain and has no stakes in their earnings. In addition to monetizing items, property owners can sell teleportation hubs and organize treasure hunts. Why invest in the metaverse real estate? Generally speaking, . There are several reasons to purchase land and other real estate objects in the metaverse: metaverse technology presents many opportunities for business leaders Buy and sell when the property appreciates in value Conduct business by selling advertising spots, hosting events, collecting rent, etc. For example, to host an event, you can simply rent a concert hall or another space, create and sell tickets, and create NFT merchandise to monetize at your event Have fun with the property and use it to socialize, express your personality, and demonstrate digital collectibles Even though the real estate in the metaverse market fairs rather well at the moment, there is no guarantee that prices will keep going up. There are several risks associated with this type of investment: This market lacks regulations. If the seller acts in bad faith, the buyer’s opportunities for seeking restitution are limited. Virtual land’s valuation. In the real world, land is a finite resource, and it increases in value as more people show desire for ownership. However, virtual land is infinite in theory. Metaverse platforms are enforcing artificial scarcity by limiting the number of land plots they sell. But if all is sold and the demand remains, nothing prevents those platforms from programming more land plots. Potential technology-associated risks. The trade occurs in cryptocurrency, and the proof of ownership is stored as an NFT. If the buyer forgets their password or otherwise fails to authenticate, the ownership right will be compromised. Also, if your metaverse platform goes offline, the property disappears. Technological advances, such as quantum computing, can, in theory, render today’s cryptographic security methods obsolete. How to choose the right spot to invest in Study the performance metrics of the selected metaverse platforms, such as the number of users interacting on each platform and the type of companies conducting business in this virtual reality After settling upon one metaverse platform, carefully consider the location of your prospective land. Parcels around famous brands and celebrities are fetching premium prices. Check out the price history at your metaverse real estate of choice to see how much it has appreciated or depreciated over time Examples of real estate in the metaverse , purchased land worth $4.3 million from the Sandbox. The company decided to develop 100 islands on the property with their own villas and boat market. Ninety of them were sold on the first day for $15,000 each, and some owners are listing their acquisitions for resale for over $100,000. Republic Realm Another large transaction comes from a crypto investor Tokens.com who acquired virtual property on Decentraland . The land is located in the Fashion Street area, and the company is planning to host digital fashion shows with brands such as Dolce & Gabbana and Tommy Hilfiger. As Tokens.com CEO, Andrew Kiguel , “We don’t want to sell the land, we want to continue buying land.” for $2.4 million said Property development companies also don’t want to stay behind and try to harness this new technology to gain competitive advantage. For instance, Magnolia Quality Development Corporation (MQDC), a leading international property developer, teamed up with Accenture . Visit Malaisirirat, Chief Executive at MQDC said, "This approach has made us a technological pioneer to bring sustainable well-being to people and society in an era of digital transformation." to create a virtual real estate metaverse According to Mr. Malaisirirat, the collaboration with Accenture focuses on providing MQDC’s customers with experience beyond imagination, opening opportunities for clients interested in the metaverse in the context of property development, and simply offering a space that connects virtual and real worlds, allowing people to have a hybrid experience. Other activities include: Warner Music is planning on at its property in the Sandbox hosting concerts Barbados decided to in the metaverse open its embassy An anonymous user has recently to acquire a land parcel in the Snoopverse – a metaverse owned by Snoop Dogg paid $450,000 Real estate in the metaverse: market trends and predictions Real estate in the metaverse sales amounted to and already exceeded $85 million in January, 2022 alone. Going at this pace, this market could reach $1 billion by the end of 2022. $501 million in 2021 Big companies, such as Meta, Nvidia, and Microsoft, are betting on the metaverse to become the next generation of the Internet. If this materializes, real estate in the metaverse will offer many opportunities for businesses and influencers to build new audiences, create and market new products and services. This excitement is supported by Accenture’s recent survey, which shows that questioned by the consultancy report that metaverse will be beneficial for their business, with 42% believing this technology will have a transformational impact. 71% of global executives However, there are factors that work against the metaverse. The Quarterly NFT Market Report shows that NFT sales volume in the metaverse is still rather modest in comparison to other NFT segments. Additionally, some audiences, especially the older generation, doubt that the metaverse will live up to its promises. For example, Edward Castronova, Professor of Media at Indiana University, , “The Metaverse is El Dorado for internet startups. They chase it into the jungle and die.” believes Andrew Kiguel, CEO at Tokens.com, a digital assets company based in Canada, replies to this by saying, “The problem a lot of people have is that there are generations that have a difficult time attributing value to things that are digital, that you can’t hold and that don’t have weight.” Deloitte, also concerned with the future of the metaverse, recently saying that the future of this technology depends on four factors: published a report Standardization: will there be a unified economy across metaverse platforms together with consistent design and programming standards? Market fragmentation: will different platforms serve different use cases, or will they compete for the same customers? User interface: will the platforms offer intuitive interface and seamless user experience? Governance: will there be strong government regulations to ensure secure transactions and prevent fraud, or will every platform have to implement their own rules? There is no reliable way to determine whether your real estate in the metaverse platform of choice will survive in the future. But it is safe to say that if this platform has an engaged and loyal community, its chances of flourishing are higher. So, if you decide to purchase virtual land in the metaverse, you can try organizing community events or building something interesting that people would want to be around. Thinking about investing in real estate in the metaverse? ITRex experts will help you select the metaverse platform that satisfies your needs. Then you, together, will build real estate 3D models and implement the business logic behind your custom solution. Get in touch!

Real Estate in the Metaverse: Market Trends, Opportunities, and Tips

Metaverse Environments Built to Reward Participants Like its NFT and blockchain cohorts, the Metaverse industry moves at break-neck speed. The decentralized world of tomorrow — one which shifts network value to its users — is coming in hot. Three months is like three years in the land of blockchain. And it’s been even longer since this article landed on Hacker Noon: Top 3 VR Tokens Powering the Metaverse Today’s article aims to catch up with those three VR-powered projects’ forward progress while evaluating a couple of new contenders. Since CoinGecko’s Virtual Reality filter rode off into the sunset, we’ll re-evaluate January’s top 3, then use CTRL+F to find “VR” within the . (Sorry, ‘Ovr,’ but AR isn’t a complete Metaverse experience.) Metaverse category You can find deeper info on some top Metaverse frontrunners , featuring The Sandbox, Decentraland, and RFOX VALT, each a blockchain game in its own right. here However, only Decentraland and the VALT use VR in their immersive playgrounds. Plus, it’s great to research potentially underrated (for now) Metaverse environments. We’ll go through organizations ranked by reverse market capitalization as of late April 2022: Revomon ( ) $REVO VFOX Token ( ) $VFOX Netvrk ( ) $NETVRK Somnium Space ( ) $CUBE Victoria VR ( ) $VR Now, it’s doubtful that any of these organizations will take Meta’s greedy approach of stinging creators with a . GTFO of here, you crazy-ass mother Zuckers! highly 47.5% platform fee Ready to dive into organizations using experimental tech to create fairer, more balanced digital economies? The good news is that you don’t need VR goggles to gain new information about how to get in on the action … Revomon ($REVO) Resources: Revomon | Whitepaper Maximum Token Supply: 100M Blockchain Network: Ethereum Revomon was on January’s list and combines “revolution” and “monsters” to create its Pokémon inspiration. “Gotta catch ’em all!” The open-world RPG Metaverse environment contains islands where players battle, capture, and train NFT monsters bearing unique traits. Revomon is a play-to-earn VR-powered Metaverse experience mimicking Pokémon’s monster-training activities. New(ish) video content is out, and here’s where you can decide if this realm is worth exploring: If earning tokens to play video games is your jam, and you’re a fan of , visiting this Metaverse environment is your chance to earn $REVO. Pokémon GO The shows heaps of momentum on the development front. Still waiting to see how this one plays out. It’s very niche, but that niche has proven to be humongous. Revomon March 31 update VFOX Token ($VFOX) Resources: RFOX VALT | RFOX Ecosystem | RFOX Blackpaper Maximum Token Supply: 21M Blockchain Network: Binance Smart Chain VFOX token ties into rewards within the expansive RFOX ecosystem. After months and months of construction, RFOX VALT, a retail and entertainment Metaverse platform, launched its MVP to a select group of initial visitors on April 27, 2022. Inside that digital playground, visitors can enter large retail SHOPs represented by an NFT to purchase digital items. Whether it’s the primary or underlying payment method, all payments route through . $RFOX token The RFOX multiverse’s cryptoassets currently operate on the Ethereum network, BNB Chain, and the WAX blockchain, with other networks to follow. A small percentage goes into a pool each time there’s a purchase inside the VALT. And at periodic intervals — for roughly 90 days at a time — $VFOX holders can stake their tokens to earn $RFOX. VFOX is a semi-passive reward token entitling holders to a percentage of every transaction occurring inside the RFOX VALT retail and entertainment Metaverse platform. The unreal estate inside the RFOX VALT is exceptionally scarce compared to other Metaverse environments. Plots are known as SHOPs, and NFTs act as proof of ownership. RFOX only sells 25 SHOPs per quarter — Art, Games, Music, and Science+Tech — to the public. When VALT construction is complete, only 100 virtual real estate parcels will be outside the RFOX organization’s control. This virtual world also gives space to more prominent brands, including marquee clients and , which sold out an RFOX-assisted NFT drop in under five minutes. CoinGecko Reebok The Paul Barron Network recently had a chat with RFOX’s CEO to talk all things Metaverse while revealing insight into what makes the VALT tick: RFOX VALT is a serious endeavor. The RFOX organization began in 2018 as a small venture builder wielding blockchain tech. Only a handful of team members were on board. Fast-forward to today, and over 100 full-time staff work alongside a horde of contractors. The team’s experienced tremendous growth, but the crypto space has yet to catch on. Although it’s a game by nature, has plans for concerts, a VR roller coaster, and an educational planetarium inside the upcoming Science & Tech quarter. RFOX VALT The MVP launched. It's a bit rough around the edges but digital environments have to start somewhere. This has been brewing for years and it's fantastic to see it live. just Want a sneak peek? Here you go: Not to mention how the VALT links together RFOX’s independent , , and ventures. Products and services include play-to-earn blockchain gaming, DeFi staking and yield farming (the currently pays over 33% APR), a white-label NFT platform, plus video livestreaming with NFT mint-on-demand capabilities. gaming finance media RFOX-BNB farm Don’t sleep on the RFOX ecosystem because its economy is a sleeping giant. Netvrk ($NETVRK) Resources: Netvrk | Linktr.ee Maximum Token Supply: 100M Blockchain Network: Ethereum The Netvrk platform has seen development for more than five years, beginning with a VR prototype created by the project’s founder. Netvrk is a multichain Metaverse built on Unreal Engine, with powerful creation tools and infrastructure to create, share, experience, and monetize creations. Netvrk focuses on gaming, education, and e-commerce, all built around NFTs representing ownership of virtual land and assets. Netvrk’s inaugural metaverse is called Genesis Islands and consists of 15,000 NFT parcels located in one of five districts: Entertainment, Creative, Education, Business, and Adult. I wonder what goes on in that last one. Users can generate NFTs and use the $NETVRK token to buy virtual land, advertising space, and digital assets. Staking was available for a while, but that ship seems to have sailed. The project’s collab list is gigantic. Look at the partners/investors section on the Netvrk website to see logo after logo. The collection of so much VC money does make me question the level of control the Netvrk founders still have. After all, giving equity to 3rd parties allows them a voice in directing business decisions. Somnium Space ($CUBE) Resources: Somnium Space | Economy Paper Maximum Token Supply: 100M Blockchain Network: Ethereum Somnium Space is an open, social, persistent VR world featuring its own economy and digital currency, letting creators’ imaginations run wild on virtual plots of land. The platform’s virtual real estate NFTs, called CUBEs, freely trade on secondary markets. Owners are free to create their own experiences that click into the overall platform. Somnium Space rewards creative developers who enjoy building and monetizing their work. Somnium Space is currently collaborating with to deliver full-body haptic suits for use in VR. That is next-level immersion, indeed. Teslasuit Here’s a quick overview of what Somnium Space has to offer players and investors: Individuals and organizations have been snatching up property as of late. Property owners used 134,163 $CUBE tokens to buy 208 $ETH in virtual land. The recent 10-day Cube Extravaganza auction on OpenSea was a resounding success. With another $600K+ for development, Somnium Space should continue to blossom. Victoria VR ($VR) Resources: Victoria VR | Whitepaper Maximum Token Supply: 16.8B Blockchain Network: Ethereum Victoria VR bills itself as the world’s first realistic Metaverse. The game is a VR-powered MMORPG built on Unreal Engine and blockchain. An in-house NFT marketplace is where trading takes place, with players able to monetize their creations. In the project’s own words: Our vision is for you to be able to materialize your craziest ideas or most secret wishes and enable you to experience your greatest life desires. Here’s a recent trailer, and I’ll offer some thoughts on realism after you’ve seen it: Sure, it’s a mostly realistic rendition of a quasi-realistic environment. But there’s no denying you’re playing a video game. The website’s avatars are realistic-looking as well. That said, have you ever seen an animated character that didn’t give itself away as non-human by merely opening its mouth? Still waiting for avatar-speak to natural. We have a long way to go on that front. look But anything good takes time to build. Victoria VR has been going since 2018. That’s a solid testament to persistence —you may have been around long enough to remember that year was mostly a brutal bear market. Staking $VR tokens is available, with some nice perks attached. It’s not every project that awards airdrops for staking. Have a look at the team’s , and you can see how the rewards increase if you’re willing to lock up your tokens for more extended periods. staking calculator Wrapping Up There are plenty of opportunities for multiple Metaverse platforms to thrive. When interoperability becomes a reality, there’s no limit to where VR will take us. Hopping from one to another will become the norm. Like music and video games, who wants to play the same game and listen to the same song on repeat for eternity. The Metaverse is all about variety, and with some experimentation, you’ll find environments that you genuinely enjoy spending time in. Looking at supply vs. MarCap, $VFOX is the outlier here. The token’s one of the smallest in MarCap but coming in at about 1/5th of the average supply. Three of five on this list cap out at 100M tokens. When the VALT goes full-steam ahead and transactions begin to flow through, $VFOX holders should have reason to smile. Token speculation aside, which platforms are your favorite to use? Strap on your VR goggles if you want to discover the answer in our new digital frontier. *Disclaimer: At the time of writing, the author held BNB, ETH, RFOX, VFOX, and other digital assets.

Blockchain Pokémon and Monetized NFTs: 5 Tokens Enabling VR in the Metaverse

Pokémon Blockchain y NFT monetizados: 5 tokens que habilitan la realidad virtual en el metaverso

Pokémon Blockchain et NFT monétisés : 5 jetons permettant la réalité virtuelle dans le métaverse

ब्लॉकचैन पोकेमोन और मुद्रीकृत एनएफटी: मेटावर्स में वीआर को सक्षम करने वाले 5 टोकन

ブロックチェーン ポケモンと収益化された NFT: メタバースで VR を実現する 5 つのトークン

Pokémon Blockchain e NFTs Monetizados: 5 Tokens Habilitando VR no Metaverso

Blockchain Pokémon và NFT kiếm tiền: 5 Token cho phép VR trong Metaverse

区块链神奇宝贝和货币化 NFT：在元界中启用 VR 的 5 个代币

We're All Very Early to the Virtual Party Nobody can pinpoint the Metaverse's exact definition at this point in its short life. In other words, we know that we're onto something huge but have no idea what the Metaverse will one day become. However, we can say with 100% confidence that untold fortunes await those bold enough to snatch opportunity from the jaws of uncertainty. After a recent 10x user explosion, an is up for grabs. estimated $1.5T The Metaverse promises a network of engaging virtual environments providing endless entertainment, some of which reward users with tokens in exchange for time and attention. While "under construction" is a common theme, that merely indicates how early the Metaverse is in its lifecycle. To date, there are very few cohesive environments and far fewer support Virtual Reality headsets, which add a thick layer of immersion to Metaverse activities. Discovering the token-powered organizations shaping the Metaverse is only a few clicks away. CoinGecko's Metaverse category continues to expand, but the entire list occupies only a single page. Fantastic news for early-stage investors! Curious to go a little deeper, I used CoinGecko's to find Metaverse tokens belonging in overlapping categories due to an additional feature set. Only three of the six digital assets listed have measurable market capitalization and trading volume. Virtual Reality filter But don't let that fool you into thinking they're all shitcoins! Markets and the people who invest in them are irrational, and token prices don't always reflect fundamentals. Research is the key, and while you'll find some below, you're always encouraged to do your own. On that note, ranked by MarCap, here are the top 3 VR tokens for January 2022 … 1) Somnium Space ($CUBE) Resources: Somnium Space | Economy Paper Maximum Token Supply: 100M Blockchain Network: Ethereum Somnium Space is a persistent VR world featuring its own economy and digital currency, allowing creators to build whatever they'd like on virtual plots of land. The ecosystem's virtual real estate NFTs, known as CUBEs, freely trade on OpenSea. Somnium Space NFTs also trade on the FTX NFT marketplace, and the FTX exchange is building a inside Somnium's Metaverse environment. virtual HQ Somnium Space rewards creative developers who enjoy building and monetizing their work. Currently, in beta mode, the web app lets users explore the realm as a guest avatar or login for a more customized experience. The VR feature works across multiple platforms, and Somnium Space wants to own the entire experience, including a custom VR headset. Metaverse advertising is a growing market segment Somnium Space intends to leverage through a recent . Interested in picking up a plot and constructing a billboard? Here's a walk-through covering the land purchase process: partnership with Admix With a heavy focus on creation, Somnium Space is geared towards those willing to spend upwards of 50 hours on avatar design alone. In other words, Somnium Space rewards creative developers who enjoy building and monetizing their work. 2) VFOX Token ($VFOX) Resources: RFOX VALT | RFOX Ecosystem | RFOX Blackpaper Maximum Token Supply: 21M Blockchain Network: Binance Smart Chain VFOX token is a reward token inside the expansive RFOX multiverse. The Metaverse-builder is one of the industry's taking a to leverage Metaverse expansion. frontrunners picks and shovels approach Clicking into space-themed Metaverse environments are distinct business entities operating in DeFi, NFTs, media, play-to-earn mobile blockchain gaming, with other ventures and acquisitions to come. The RFOX VALT retail and entertainment Metaverse experience has four distinct quarters with unique aesthetics. For example, the gaming-themed Arkamoto (arcade + Nakamoto) quarter is in constant dark mode, while the sun always shines in the Callinova (calligraphy + supernova) quarter. VFOX is a semi-passive reward token entitling holders to a percentage of every transaction occurring inside the RFOX VALT retail and entertainment Metaverse experience. As for the other two quarters, they've yet to go on the auction block. Per the , the music-themed quarter will have a round of auctions in Q1 of this year. 2022 RFOX roadmap Unlike other Metaverse environments, the unreal estate inside the RFOX VALT is exceptionally scarce. Plots are known as SHOPs and use NFTs as proof of ownership. Only 25 SHOPs per quarter are available to the public, meaning once VALT construction is complete, only 100 plots will be outside of the RFOX organization's control. A small sampling of additional SHOPs goes to the brands and organizations responsible for bringing traffic into their respective quarter. These marquee clients include , , and VOID Cyber, the go-between that connected with the RFOX NFTs platform to launch a collection of digital kicks. CoinGecko Yield Guild Games Reebok Visitors enter SHOPs — taking a space train in between quarters — where they can purchase digital and, later, physical items. Although the VALT is a game, its focus is on the Metaverse’s retail aspect. SHOP owners monetize NFTs either by selling products or leasing the space out through the help of an assigned Quartermaster. Once fully fleshed out — hopefully by the end of 2022 — the VALT intends to offer a experience of ordering real-world food from a virtual space. Ready Player One All VALT transactions settle through $RFOX, the ecosystem's payment currency, operating on the Ethereum network and BSC. And 1% of every in-Metaverse purchase goes into a pool to reward $VFOX holders. So as not to be construed as a security, claiming rewards occurs in fully audited staking contracts on RFOX Finance. 3) Revomon ($REVO) Resources: Revomon | Whitepaper Maximum Token Supply: 100M Blockchain Network: Binance Smart Chain Revomon is the combination of "revolution" and "monsters" and has no qualms over showcasing its Pokémon inspiration. "Gotta catch 'em all!" The open-world RPG Metaverse environments consist of islands where players can battle, capture, and train unique NFT monsters. Revomon is a play-to-earn VR-powered Metaverse experience mimicking Pokémon’s monster-training activities. Paying further homage to a classic Nintendo series, Revomon's characters have a Zelda-meets-Pokémon vibe going. Here's a gameplay video giving an inside look at the VR-powered world: Players earn $REVO by participating in the ecosystem. One look at the project's documentation reveals a heavy focus on tokenomics. Holders of $REVO token can stake them and also use them to vote on community-driven proposals. While crypto, Pokémon, and VR aren't new, it's a novel idea to put them all together. Is the game fun or rewarding? I'll let you decide. Wrapping Up Although King Bitcoin is 13 years old, it's still far from Satoshi's vision of being the globe's dominant payment system. That said, the combination of DeFi, NFTs, and play-to-earn video gaming is pushing cryptocurrencies into the limelight. Retail and institutional investor demand continues to rise, and crypto transactions surged in 2021 to hit $15.8 trillion, the equivalent of roughly $43B in daily volume. 550% The Metaverse's creation and appeal show no signs of slowing down. The crypto-VR-Metaverse cocktail is potent and provides a risky yet potentially rewarding investment. I'm no financial guru and can't/won't/don't offer you any advice on such matters. However, from a investment standpoint, my money is on $VFOX for several reasons. passive For starters, $VFOX also has a max supply that’s only 1/5th of the other two, perfectly matching Bitcoin at 21M. There's no need to be or become a creator to profit from the RFOX VALT's success. Just holding the tokens is enough. The RFOX ecosystem is a sleeping giant. The organization is building a super dApp encompassing distinct business entities across numerous white-hot sectors. And as the RFOX VALT grows, so do the payouts to $VFOX holders. Although the other two Metaverse environments on this list are already in beta, I suspect that RFOX VALT will one day outshine them both. *Disclaimer: At the time of writing, the author held BNB, ETH, RFOX, VFOX, and other digital assets.

Top 3 VR Tokens Powering the Metaverse

The COVID-19 zeitgeist seems to be moving away from masks and restrictions, as mask mandates and ease restrictions. However, in many parts of Asia and Europe, event venues are still operating under pandemic-induced restrictions. What are people in countries that haven’t yet pulled back from the COVID fight to do regarding weddings and other lifecycle events? many U.S. states lift A couple in India found a creative way to hold their wedding amid COVID-induced restrictions: Asia’s first . The legal ceremony took place in a village 170 miles from Chennai, India, and was attended by a few close friends and family. Simultaneously, another 6,000 guests attended a customized Harry Potter-themed Metaverse built and hosted by TardiVerse. Guests chose their avatars and explored the magical grounds of the famous Hogwarts castle. Metaverse wedding The uncertainty surrounding the pandemic continues to impact our daily lives, highlighting a need to find solutions to help maintain social bonds. Lifecycle events, such as weddings, family reunions, and graduations, are forced to move to Zoom, where the festive and celebratory atmosphere is lost. The pandemic has fast-tracked the digitalization of our lives–we have become accustomed to working and interacting socially online. Now, because of this trend, lifecycle events can occur entirely on the Metaverse, in accordance with restrictions and with respect for those worried about infection, enabling these important events to take place in a unique and fun format. The Metaverse age has arrived The global Metaverse market size already stood at $47.7 billion in 2020, and that is expected to skyrocket to upwards of billion by 2028, with some even expecting trillions. The Metaverse’s drastic and recent has coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, whether by chance or not. Facebook's rebranding as in 2021 served as a symbol of Big Tech’s recognition of the growing influence of the Metaverse, both in the present and the future. $828.9 rise Meta In addition to Facebook’s rebranding, other indicators confirm the industry’s ascension. Properties in the Metaverse are booming as investors rush to purchase prime real estate in the sought-after districts of Sandbox, Decentraland, Somnium Space, and other Metaverse platforms. Virtual land sales topped $497.6 million in 2021, and that figure is expected to double in 2022. In November 2021, Republic Realm, a digital real estate investment fund, purchased a parcel of land in Sandbox for a record . $4.3 million There is plenty of uncertainty and speculation regarding the direction that the Metaverse industry will take. However, it's clear that, with or without the global pandemic, the Metaverse will play a huge part in the Web3.0 landscape. In the meantime, the global pandemic is highlighting some of the Metaverse’s added value. A COVID-free space for lifecycle events We are now entering year three of the pandemic, with some more optimistic than others about a possible end in sight. Mask mandates in almost all the US states have been lifted, but restrictions and fears around large gatherings still remain. The efforts to slow the virus’s spreading have fundamentally altered our lives and daily routines. Employers have adjusted to employees working from home and hosting important client meetings through Zoom or other video-conferencing platforms. Large international industry conferences, events, and trade shows moved online once COVID struck, and many still prefer virtual events over in-person. The pandemic has impacted nearly every industry in one way or another. Besides its impact on our work life, the pandemic has greatly affected our social lives as well, including mental health. For the elderly and high-risk populations, these last two years have been especially challenging. In addition to the high-risk demographic, there has been an unprecedented rise in problems as a result of lockdowns. The disruption to daily life has led to increased drug and alcohol use along with drastic rises in depression and anxiety, which experts predict could last a . mental health generation By leveraging the Metaverse’s interactive nature, people can conduct important milestone events in a fun, creative, and unique way, all while social distancing. This provides a big morale boost for the elderly and high-risk populations, and a much-needed relief for those suffering from mental health issues brought on by extensive lockdowns. At a time when so many people are struggling and there is so much uncertainty, the Metaverse provides a solution to counter these issues by facilitating a real sense of community. Obviously, this won’t be simple, and there will be challenges in terms of widespread adoption. Older generations will certainly encounter barriers and discomfort in navigating something as new and different as the Metaverse. However, out of a desire to stay connected, elderly populations have become more on the Internet and digital technology — especially in areas such as banking. This will soften the transition to Metaverse onboarding. dependent The Metaverse is, and will certainly remain much more than just a platform to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic and its interruption of our social lives. But, by taking advantage of these challenging times, the Metaverse can demonstrate just how practical it can be in the future. It can open people’s eyes to the wonders of the future and inspire new innovations. This will undoubtedly lead to a faster and stronger mainstream adoption. In the meantime, the Metaverse presents the ideal alternative to celebrating life with loved ones in a safe and interactive way. Nothing replaces being able to hug a friend or family member at their wedding or graduation, but in such uncertain times, the Metaverse can offer the next best thing. About the Author: Guy Goldenberg, CEO of an NFT platform connecting musicians and artists with their fans through a curated and interactive Metaverse experience. With a decade worth of experience in the crypto industry, he has launched multiple successful public equities on PrimeXBT’s covesting module that went on to be ranked second on the platform during the market cycle of 2020-21. Before crypto, Goldenberg had a professional career as a touring musician, traveling across the world and performing with internationally renowned brands. He’s leveraged his connections in the music industry to help MultiNFT bring some of the biggest names in metal and techno into the Metaverse. , MultiNFT

As the Pandemic Rages, Lifecycle Events Must Go On… in the Metaverse

Blockchain gaming has come a long way since debuted in 2014. Since then, developers - primarily blockchain developers, not game developers - have been experimenting with how to mix gameplay with tokenomics. Huntercoin From a technical perspective, the innovation that is blockchain seems poised to enable the next version of the web. However, its application to games has been mixed at best. Primitive gameplay, low production values, and shallow narratives have been the norm for most blockchain games to date. It wasn’t until launched in 2017 that a blockchain game had any success in finding an audience. CryptoKitties But when it did, the impact was jaw-dropping. The game caused massive congestion on the layer 1 Ethereum network, leaving many developers skeptical of blockchain’s capacity to facilitate the kind of quality, technologically seamless experience that players are accustomed to and expect. Despite the challenges, the industry has seen improvements in recent years as layer 2 networks and better interoperability are facilitating a greater depth of gameplay. While early game structures depended predominantly on randomized chance for players to earn rewards, designs have advanced such that rewards now come predominantly from gameplay, providing much more engaging experiences. Fuelled by ongoing innovation and the explosion in popularity of play-to-earn games like Axie Infinity, the blockchain gaming industry grew by a staggering in 2021 versus the previous year. 765% Metaverse spaces like Decentraland, The Sandbox, and Somnium Space are also making waves as they redefine the creative and economic boundaries of how players can engage with virtual worlds. Irrespective of the growing market, there’s no hiding from the fact that traditional players are extremely resistant to blockchain in gaming. Major publishers that have recently announced their intentions to integrate NFTs into new and existing games have faced vociferous pushback from gamers who do not see any tangible benefits of the technology. Instead, they argue that NFTs are simply a scheme to charge more for in-game purchases. The introduction of free-to-play microtransactions - purchases that unlock specific features or give players unique abilities, characters, or content - has left many gamers feeling taken advantage of. It’s little wonder players are suspicious of blockchain’s utility. It’s more interesting to think of blockchain as a collection of composable microservices that provide novel player experiences, rather than a provenance technology that gets crammed into a game without first considering how it can be used to enhance what’s already great about that game. Gamers don’t fire up a session to explore a new financial infrastructure; we want an adventure where we transcend the real world and perhaps embody a totally new persona. In order to build player trust, studios need to focus on amplifying what players already enjoy. When implemented effectively, blockchain offers a system of services that can enhance gameplay and utility. The common thread that interlinks these services is player empowerment. Whether that's the ability to trade or sell their in-game purchases or having a vote on a game’s governance and feature roadmap. By minting items, XP, and avatars, players ensure transparent verification and traceability of their assets, increasing trust in the process of exchange and providing a way for players and creators to be rewarded for user generated content. On the governance side, DAOs and other voting mechanisms can be integrated into game infrastructures to increase player involvement in the design of the games they invest so much time in. Where players have previously felt excluded from the direction and development of a franchise, blockchain democratizes the process, making it possible for players to design, develop, and remold games based on their experiences. It’s a little scary, empowering players to this degree, but it’s really just an extension of the feedback loop developers already employ in games-as-a-service. Where a few studio execs have previously driven innovation, updating gaming infrastructure in this way can enable the real time integration of players into the creative process. After all, we’re not designing our game; we’re designing their game. Blockchain has obvious potential, but we have to address player objections before it can evolve much further. The low production values and shallow gameplay of the few blockchain games in the market has made traditional gamers suspicious of the technology’s capabilities to produce the kind of games they know and love. We have yet to see a AAA game that prioritizes gameplay, rich graphics, and compelling narratives, while backending its infrastructure with blockchain technology to empower players and create new experiences. It’s a tall ask, but we’ve been here before. It’s easy to forget that the shift from premium to free-to-play was just as contentious.

Converting Gamers into Blockchain Gamers: Why AAA Experience is Key

If you're a crypto enthusiast, there's no doubt you've heard of the . It's a decentralized virtual space where users can meet and interact. The word was coined by Neal Stephenson in his 1992 novel Snow Crash, that's set in a future where people use avatars to navigate an online world called the Metaverse. metaverse Branded as the game-changer, according to JP Morgan, it could reach the $1 trillion market share. As such, several projects have jumped into it, pitching their products and services as standouts. While many have good potential, some are more notable than others. We'll be breaking down our top five most promising metaverse projects in 2022—which ones to watch for and why. 5 Prospective Metaverse Projects of 2022 Metaverse projects have exploded lately, with many new ones launching daily. We've sifted through them to find five promising projects in 2022. Decentraland Decentraland was one of the first projects to launch in metaverse space. It uses Ethereum as its base layer with LAND as its core asset. Each LAND represents a 3D parcel that users can build upon and enjoy without interruption from other users. Users can also buy virtual plots of land and get dividends depending on their traffic. The platform has won plaudits for its unique features such as user ownership of content and applications, borderless creation and discovery of content, open standard protocols, interoperability with other virtual reality platforms, and user privacy. In 2021 its native was among the top performers in the crypto market. Users can access Decentraland through their browsers or VR headsets. token MANA Somnium Space Somnium Space is a social VR platform built on the Ethereum blockchain where users can buy, sell, and build anything. They also offer a marketplace for buying virtual land where users can create, socialize, explore, and gamble using their native asset, CUBE tokens. Alternatively, they can do so using NFTs, which give owners in-game superpowers. These include; teleportation, teleportation, spawning items, or phasing through walls, to name a few. Enjin (ENJ) Enjin is a platform focusing on virtual goods that run on Ethereum. It was created with the gaming community in mind. The platform has its ENJ token gamers can use for developing in-game assets. smart contract The project consists of a suite of interconnected tools that allow gamers to manage their digital assets across multiple games and platforms. The team behind it is experienced in mobile gaming and blockchain technology. It also continues to sign partnerships with leading game developers around the world. Immutable X This project seeks to make it easy for players to purchase . The NFTs are currently expensive because they are stored on the Ethereum blockchain, which charges high fees. Immutable X wants to make NFTs cheap by storing them off-chain and only moving them when someone needs to trade them or use them in a game. NFTs LunaOne is one of the first Metaverses to allow Earning, Shopping, Socializing, Creating, Studying, and Gaming in a seamless Web 3.0 environment. The LunaOne platform is Live! Meaning you can start earning today by sharing your content and referring new users. LunaOne The project's pain point is the segmentation of the available Metaverses. This segmentation can be a bottleneck for creating a full-fledged virtual reality. LunaOne addresses this challenge by amalgamating Gaming, Education, and Business functions on one platform. Central to the LunaOne ecosystem is the Avatar which creates a symbiosis between virtual and real worlds. The project has three development paths (Gaming, Education, and Business) with two walkthroughs. On the one hand, there's the limitless walkthrough. Here Avatars can earn through an internal work platform. Additionally, they can study and apply knowledge in scientific work besides participating in pro Cybersports. XLN tokens Other Notable Metaverse Projects Besides the five projects above, the are others that also offer much promise for investors. These include: Axie Infinity Axie Infinity is a digital pet game running on the Ethereum Blockchain. It supports players in breeding, trading, battling, and exploring with fantasy creatures. Cryptovoxels Cryptovoxels (VOX) is an Ethereum-powered VR world in which users purchase land parcels using Bitcoin (BTC), Ether (ETH), or other ERC-20 tokens. High Fidelity High Fidelity has attracted many developers who've helped build a wide range of content, including immersive games. Blockchain Cuties Universe BCU is a crypto collectible game that merged with VR to create an immersive experience. It has a wide range of pets and monsters that you can trade with crypto. The Sandbox The Sandbox aims at being “a decentralized virtual world built by players, for players.” Through its Land Presale program, users can buy virtual parcels, develop them into gaming experiences and sell them as NFTs. Takeaways All in all, there is enough excitement for the future of the metaverse. The unique combination of blockchain and VR will help develop the technology to improve the profitability and accessibility of AR. We are yet to see how first-generation projects will fare over time and which of them will dominate the crypto universe. Given the above listing, the big question is which platform has what it takes to dominate the market by 2022. To answer that question, one must first take a look at their features and roadmap. That analysis will reveal their viability and potential for growth.

Promising Projects on the Metaverse in 2022

In July 2021, a plot of virtual land on broke sales records by selling for nearly $1 million. Decentraland Around October the same year, there was a huge spike in the search volume of the Metaverse on Google Trends following . Overnight, the Metaverse became the latest buzzword to capture the tech industry's imagination. Facebook's rebrand to Meta But then, the metaverse concept isn't entirely new. It has been in existence with the oldest Metaverse dating back to 1993 when Steve Jackson Games operated its bulletin board. Even though that Metaverse was a low bandwidth virtual reality system, the metaverse concept has not changed to this day. What is this metaverse thingy? Why is it now popular? What exactly is it used for? If you've ever wondered the answers to the above questions or are just plain curious about the Metaverse… Then, continue reading. This article will look into the Metaverse, what's inside it and what it is used for. What exactly is the Metaverse? The Metaverse could be 'an online world' like or Facebook's , depending on who you ask. Second Life new business model To understand the term, it's best to understand how it came about. The suffix meta- means "behind or beyond," it can also mean "transformative" (like in the word metamorphosis) and even "more comprehensive." The second word, -verse,  is derived from the word universe and describes a specific area e.g., Twitterverse, Spiderverse. As a whole, the word "metaverse" generally refers to a virtual world that lies beyond, on top of, or is an extension of the physical world we live in. The world would be a shared virtual reality where users could live and do the same things they did in the 'real' world. You can think of it as the internet being brought to life or rendered in 3D. A virtual environment that you can go inside of instead of just looking on your screen. Essentially, in the Metaverse, there are countless locations where you and other users can meet up, work, and play, using virtual reality (VR) headsets, augmented reality glasses, smartphone apps, and other devices. These locations/worlds contain their own economies, with currency as well as digital assets, avatars, and other monetization opportunities. If you've watched Ready Player One, you would have a clearer picture of what the Metaverse should look like. The 2018 science fiction film set in 2045 featured a virtual world known as OASIS. OASIS was an enhanced, paradise version of Earth that offered people an escape from their struggles in real life. Today, the Metaverse isn't fully in existence. But there are virtual worlds that best depict the concept. Now, we are familiar with the concept; what is the Metaverse made up of? Read below to find out. What's in the Metaverse? The Metaverse and its contents are made up of different elements such as 3D avatars, digital assets, games, etc. In reality, it is quite like the real world, as you get the same features and elements. The major difference is that you can 'travel' the world from the comfort of your home, using just a device like your computer, VR goggles, and even your smartphone. According to Venture Capitalist Matthew Ball, here are some key features of the Metaverse: Permanence: There must be no pauses and reboots as the Metaverse is infinite. An unlimited number of users. Combination of real and virtual life. The Metaverse isn't separate from the real world; it complements it. Accessibility and data compatibility. Anyone can join and release their projects for other users to use wherever they please. Why is the Metaverse important? Understandably, many people have wondered what importance the Metaverse brings to society. So, why is the Metaverse important? The Metaverse is important because it offers users a more in-person method to communicate and connect with anyone from anywhere in the world. Think of social networks, but in person. The possibilities are endless… Just imagine for one second that you couldn't spend the holidays with your family because of the Covid-19 lockdown. Instead of sulking about it… You can put on your VR headset and spend time with each other in the Metaverse. With the Metaverse, companies will no longer need physical spaces for work. Also, communication would be more effective for remote teams. For example, you and your colleagues can all sit around the same table, view the same presentation, and brainstorm all from the comfort of your home. Then, when the meeting is done, you simply remove your headset and go back to the real world. As mentioned above, the Metaverse supports economic activities, and users can build businesses and network with prospects and clients. For example, you can sell your skills as a builder in the Metaverse, build a recreational arena where people pay you to play games and have fun or even open a clothing store... Whatever you and other users do, it will create job opportunities. Examples of the Metaverse As of the time of writing, several metaverses are currently in use. Some of them even support a community of thousands. Popular examples include Roblox, Decentraland, Somnium Space, Sandbox, and Cryptovoxels. If you have never heard of these platforms, no worries. Other games like Fortnite and Minecraft are great examples too. Overall, the Metaverse is still in development, but that's not to say the potential isn't massive. Furthermore, the number of brands building within the Metaverse is increasing by the day. Adidas, Google, Microsoft, Nike, and Sony are just a few of the companies currently venturing into the space.

What Exactly is This Metaverse Thingy?

Gaming tokens skyrocketed this summer, and it has become one of the most notable events in the crypto industry. For example, the AXS token of the blockchain game Axie Infinity demonstrated the most considerable increase by more than 1500% in three months, breaking into the top 50 assets in terms of capitalization and making it to global financial media. So what is happening in the blockchain gaming industry, and what should we expect in the future? Blockchain in the gaming industry Blockchain technologies have been penetrating the gaming industry since 2014, when the first online casinos began accepting deposits in bitcoins. With the advent of non-fungible tokens (NFTs), it has become possible to create games where players can be rightful owners of in-game characters and objects. In turn, the emergence of in-game property entails commercial relationships. In 2017, the project CryptoKitties proved the possibility to make money in online games when their NFT kittens were sold for tens of thousands of dollars. The large audience of game developers and players formed in 2021, building a whole market segment - GameFi (Game Finance). The terminology was offered by well-known developer Andre Cronje and embraces a variety of game projects built on blockchain and using NFTs. The GameFi sector comprises the categories: -NFT games of various genres, using Free2Play and Play2Earn models -Metaverses -Projects providing tools for the development and distribution of NFT games and switching the existing online games to the blockchain -Projects that enable using NFTs in DeFi services. The games created in 2020 and earlier were mainly built on the Ethereum blockchain. However, too high fees forced the developers to switch to cheaper and faster blockchains. Many games are built on Wax, EOS, Tron. Binance Smart Chain is also gaining momentum in the game industry from early 2021. Specialized blockchain platforms like Flow are explicitly developed for the game industry and issue NFTs. Popular NFT games Since early 2021, the number of NFT games has grown exponentially. The Playtoearn.net rating alone counts over 360 online  Free2Play and Play2Earn games, featuring NFTs and enabling them to earn cryptocurrencies. They embrace all known game genres - from card games to economic simulators, strategies, arcades, races. One of the most notable projects is the RPG game , developed by Riveted Games. Not only because it got unexpectedly popular (90 thousand players per day), but also because the skyrocketed from $1.05 to $184 in July 2021. Even after a deep correction, the asset was trading at around $40. CryptoBlades SKILL in-game token Like the entire crypto industry, GameFi borrows solutions that have proven successful. For example, the NFT game My DeFi Pet, powered by the BSC blockchain, is very similar to Axie Infinity, for it implies growing and breeding pets. However, the mechanics of pets' characteristics and the whole gameplay are more straightforward. In July, the demonstrated a tenfold growth - the game attracted more than 30,000 players a day, but it had dropped tenfold by the end of the summer. DPET gaming token Some NFT games have not been released yet, but their tokens are already traded on leading exchanges, and some even made it to the top 200 by capitalization. For example, , a sandbox/social simulation multiplayer blockchain game developed by Antler Interactive. The game's release is scheduled for spring 2022, but the ALICE token launched on Binance Launchpool in March 2021 has already reached a capitalization of over $300 million. My Neighbor Alice Same thing with the It is a decentralized RPG with an NFT collection that will run on the Ethereum network. The ILV token reached a capitalization of over $250 million even before the game's release. This was greatly facilitated by staking with more than 85% annual yield. ILV holders were able to earn both on staking and on the growth of the rate. Staking rewards paid in ILV tokens are locked up for 12 months, protecting the token price from selling pressure. Illuvium project. Virtual land in metaverses Virtual worlds or metaverses are a particular category of NFT games, where players can own digital items and land in the form of NFTs and use them within the game economy. The most well-known tokenized virtual world is Decentraland. This project development started back in 2015, and the public release took place only in early 2020. More than 45 thousand digital plots of land were sold at auctions in 2017-2018, each of which was connected with an ERC-721 format LAND token that confirmed the right of possession. Now plots can only be bought on the secondary market. In November 2021, Decentraland’s took place: Token.com via its subsidiary Metaverse Group acquired 116 plots of land of 6090 square feets for 2.4M$. largest digital real estate deal The plots of land in Decentraland are used for various purposes. The land is rented out; it is used to construct virtual buildings, mini-games, casinos, shopping centers with NFT stuff, and advertising platforms. Decentraland is governed by DAO: the owners of LAND plots and the MANA token have the right to vote. Interestingly, the value of the MANA token has long gone beyond Decentraland - it is used as collateral for loans on the MakerDAO DeFi platform. Other well-known virtual worlds also have their tokenized land markets and native currencies, such as (an analog of MineCraft on the blockchain with the SAND in-game token) and (with support for 3D glasses and the CUBE token). SANDBox Somnium Space also introduced the ability to own land in a virtual world called The Lunacian in early 2021. Its territory is divided into 90,601 land plots connected with an NFT. The plots of land can be used to collect game resources and hold PvE battles. In February 2021, the most expensive NFT plot was bought for $1.5 million. The cheapest plots on The Lunacian are now sold on the Axie Infinity marketplace for $12,000. Axie Infinity To date, the most popular metaverse with a digital real estate market is Alien Worlds, built on the . According to DappRadar, as of August 2021, more than 400 thousand players entered this metaverse daily. The beauty of the game is that it does not require an initial investment, unlike Axie Infinity and other Play2Earn games. A beginner receives a basic set of tools for mining Trilium game tokens (TLM) which can be withdrawn and sold on crypto exchanges. Players can purchase land on planets in the Alien Worlds metaverse, receiving their share of the tokens generated by the planet daily, as well as fees from all players who mine TLM on the plot. WAX blockchain With the growing popularity of NFT games and metaverses, GameFi infrastructure adapted to the needs of developers, players, and investors. Here are some of the most exciting projects in this sector. SharkRace Club SharkRace Club is a new project which integrates the two NFT worlds: collectible NFT art and GameFi. Providing both utility and fun for its users, the play-to-earn Metaverse RPG Game is built on the Unreal Engine 4 and unveils breath-taking races in the ocean of intelligent and merciless NFT meta-sharks built on BSC. The game stands out by many points such as premium 3D graphics, top-quality gameplay design with the upcoming VR module and few great monetization models such as earning money with zero input just by selling in-game artifacts which you have gained through the race. Group tournaments with prize fund, and ability to initiate your own team-play with bids are also available.The game has many customization services, boosters and artifacts. The project developers have extensive experience in blockchain, having successfully launched Tizer crypto wallet - its infrastructure is integrated into the Game App, making it easy to enter regardless of previous experience with crypto. SharkRace is a club system. If you purchase a collectible NFT from the exclusive 20,001 NFT Sharks collection, you receive 3 gaming meta-sharks and a game gift card for free. You’re also provided with grant in project tokens SharkCoins, lifelong airdrop eligement, voting rights and staking preferences. Alternatively, gaming meta-sharks could be bought on the SharkRace marketplace. The game rolls out in April 2022 with single-play first, and it is expected to become the next global gaming sensation. The SharkRace Club is taking place on the 3rd of March 2022. IDO Enjin Since 2017, Enjin has been creating a platform that helps developers transfer existing and new online games to the blockchain and release game items in the form of NFTs. In 2020, they launched the Enjin Adopter program, which attracted dozens of game developers, helping them create, finance, monetize, and sell their projects on the blockchain. To date, several online games are running on the Enjin platform: Lost Relics, 9lives Arena, Space Misfits, The Six Dragons, etc. In the spring of 2021, to avoid the restrictions of the Ethereum network, the company launched its Efinity blockchain with a native EFI coin. The new network provides throughput  up to 1,000 transactions per second and has its own NFT standard. Supposedly, all game projects built on the Enjin platform will work on this blockchain. Ultra Games Ultra Games is another project from this sector. It was built as a decentralized and cheap alternative to platforms like Steam or the Google Play Store that take 30% of developers’ income. To date, it grew into an entire ecosystem based on Ultra Games. It includes a platform for developing and distributing games based on the blockchain and tools for monetizing the gameplay and creating decentralized marketplaces for trading virtual goods, a back office for developers, and much more. In June 2021, they launched the Ultra network (EOS fork) with the native UOS coin, which enables free and fast transactions. This network has its Ultra NFT standard and an Ultra Wallet enabling the exchange of crypto assets across the networks. Gala Games Gala Games is a developer of NFT games. So far, only one Town Star game (city simulator) is available for players, but the company plans to release several more games in different genres that will use the same NFT items. In addition, there is a single store for NFT items for all players, with prices in GALA tokens. Thus, a whole ecosystem with a single economy is formed from games in different genres. GALA is the governance token, and its holders can vote for the introduction of Gala NFT Games made by other developers. This will help middle developer teams to distribute their games and draw players to their projects. Yield Guild Games This decentralized DAO gaming guild is engaged in investments in in-game NFTs and metaverses. The project got support from venture capital funds Delphi Digital and Andreessen Horowitz. The IDO took place in July 2021 and, as of the end of August, provided token sale participants with over 3,500% yield, while the capitalization of the YGG governance token exceeded $900 million. Not only do YGG holders participate in project management, but they also receive part of the income from operations with NFT assets, for example, from the sale or rental of game items, virtual land, etc. The project focuses on digital asset management in three popular games: Axie Infinity, Sandbox, and League of Kingdoms. In Axie Infinity, the project already owns several thousand Axies and rents them out to Filipino players, receiving 30% of the SLP tokens they earn. GameFi prospects Many experts believe the GameFi segment has a promising future. Developers get new tools for distributing and monetizing games, while millions of players worldwide receive the opportunity to play and earn. The financial success of Axie Infinity inspired hundreds of teams worldwide to release NFT games in various genres, so we expect numerous exciting releases in 2022.

GameFi Sector And The Most Up-And-Coming Gaming Platforms

In decentralization, we trust, and in our community, we believe! This interview is part of the ! For those reading about it for the first time, HackerNoon has built a partnership with Everscale (Formerly Free Ton) - a decentralized, community-powered blockchain movement for free internet! This is the last month to participate in the contest. You can see all here. #Decentralized-Internet writing contest #Decentralized-Internet stories So, without further ado, let’s start the interview. #Thank you for joining us! Please tell us about yourself. Well, my day job is that of a Cloud solutions Architect, which in itself is a start to decentralization moving beyond the physical data centers, albeit within an organization. My extra-curricular interests have revolved around blockchain and metaverse tech for a while now. I also own a few parcels of Land in the Sandbox, and I spend time in Decentraland and Somnium space at various events. Also, I am working on creating experiences on my Lands and helping out projects with their metaverse journey. #Let's discuss centralized internet first. What is your opinion on the centralized internet? What are its pros/cons? The pro - In one word, governance. Whilst it may be hard to argue against decentralization where there is no place for government regulation, there is no denying this could potentially be a problem. One example is extremist groups can utilize decentralized communication, and with no central entity in control of the mechanism used to disseminate their information, how can we shut it down. The same also can go for cyberbullying. The cons, governance, some governments’ definitions of what they could consider extremist groups could be stretched out to include anyone from protesters to a book reading group. The centralized internet also allows organizations too much control of personal data. #What does decentralization mean to you? Decentralization will take our personal data out of the hands of organizations. We will no longer need to store our personal data with the likes of Facebook and Google, who make their money by monetizing that data. The individual will be in control of their own data. #How decentralization changes the internet? As I’ve stated in our internet activities are under constant surveillance, our user data is regularly tracked and collected by corporations, by application developers, and by governments. In a decentralized peer-to-peer blockchain alternative, the community will own and operate the infrastructure, taking control from governments and corporations. #What is the best thing about decentralized internet? A decentralized internet based on blockchain will ensure data security. It makes the internet a public resource. Existing Internet platforms, user data, and applications are typically hosted on central servers, allowing companies to create detailed profiles of their users. This data has been used to manipulate populations and election results; we only need to look at Facebook’s scandal. Cambridge Analytica Blockchain technology on a decentralized internet will mean your profile data is yours to keep or share when you decide to. All you will need to access applications is your Blockchain wallet. You won’t need hundreds of login names and passwords to remember. A hacker will gain nothing from hacking an application to learn usernames and passwords because there are none. #What are the biggest challenges in the way of the decentralized web? The unbridled freedom that comes with decentralization means that without the rules and regulations of a centralized platform, people can take advantage of this freedom to spread hateful views and misinformation without fear of being banned. The answer to this challenge can be decentralization in itself. The blockchain is inherently transparent, and this kind of false info could be filtered at a user level. However, this does put the reliance on the user to do their due diligence. This can only be a good thing and again puts the power in the hands of the user. #Do you have any apprehension or fear related to the decentralization of the internet? As mentioned in my last answer, the freedom decentralization brings with it and the advantage this will give those who wish to perform harm. The majority of communities will undoubtedly self-regulate appropriately; however their always exceptions. #How do you see the future of the decentralized internet? A Decentralized internet is going to change a lot of things, it’s going to have a bit impact on the current major centralized internet organizations. They will no longer be in control of the user will. It’s going to become much more integrated into everyday life, and you will have control. You’ll no longer be subject to what Google or Facebook want you to see. You’ll make these decisions you’ll decide what info to share. #Thank you for your time! Any closing thoughts/advice for the readers? The truth is a truly decentralized internet could well be a long way off. It will rely on the interoperability of a lot of permissionless platforms. I think Meta has the user numbers to rule at the moment and will be around for quite a while. However, as your average, non-technical user gets used to this on Meta platform, which I have no doubt will be permission-based (read my article to understand why). This will change, and users will migrate to decentralized apps eventually. About-my-ambivalence-towards-a-centralized-metaverse

Moving Beyond the Physical Data Centers: Decentralized Internet Interview

Hey Hackers! I’m Tigerchops and I’m the CEO of me. First of all, a huge thank you to the HackerNoon community and staff for nominating me for a 2021 Noonies award! I’ve nominated in the following categories please do check out these award pages and vote: Contributor of the Year - GAME DEVELOPMENT : https://noonies.tech/award/2021-hackernoon-contributor-of-the-year-game-development As a someone in the Blockchain industry, I believe that the most exciting technology of the present is the metaverse because it’s an exciting advancement that’s been brought into the mainstream by Mark Zuckerberg, Microsoft even Nike and Disney have announced metaverse projects. Learn more about my thoughts and opinions on the metaverse and blockchain tech and my journey in the tech industry via the interview below. 1. What do you do and why do you do it? (tell us your story) What’s my part in all this metaverse blockchain thing? Well, my day job is that of a Cloud solutions Architect which in itself is a start to decentralisation moving beyond the physical datacentres, albeit within an organisation. My extra-curricular interests have for a while now revolved around the blockchain and metaverse tech. I also own a few parcels of Land in the Sandbox and I spend time in Decentraland and Somnium space at various events. Also I am working on creating experiences on my Lands and helping out projects with their metaverse journey. 2. Tell us more about the things you create / write / manage / build! I mostly concentrate on blockchain and the metaverse. I’m very interested in what is capable with these technologies going forward. I have written about my experience and what I have learned so far through creating in the metaverse. I also currently have a few projects ongoing with The Sandbox Game land parcels I own and how these can be used. I’m also working on a few ideas for assets to be utilised with The Sandbox Game and hopefully other metaverse platforms. 3. How did you end up on your current career path? Do you like it? I started my working life as a tool maker, didn’t like it so went into auto work as I’d grown up around cars with my father being a mechanic, bodywork and painter by trade so I’d learnt a lot about it. I enjoyed the auto trade a lot more buy realised I’m not going to get rich repairing cars and I didn’t want spend every day lying under car engines into my 40’s and beyond. I still enjoy it as a hobby but doing it for a living takes the fun out of it. That is why I quit and went back to education and learned all about Information Technology. 4. What tech are you most excited or passionate about right now and why? Those technologies that are going to enable the metaverse. Web 3.0 is bringing in the capabilities of what we can do with decentralisation and how Non-Fungible Tokens, (NFT) are changing the future for the creative people, those that can produce art, avatars, digital wearables and metaverse assets. They can now automatically collect royalties for their work. We are only just scratching the surface of what can be done with NFTs. Imagine concert tickets as NFTs, a well-crafted Smart Contract would make things difficult for scalpers. It’ll also bring in advancement in real life smart glass/ VR tech which will advance and it will get cheaper and have a real impact on areas of society who currently struggle with learning or even visiting a medical practitioner. 5. What tech are you most worried about right now and why? AI, you’ve seen terminator? Seriously AI technology is coming along massively and if we’re not careful it could well take over our lives. Not in a kill all humans or use them as batteries kind of way but we may end up relying on them too much. Image using AI to write your resume and then then the recruiter uses AI to judge those resumes. Who’s actually applying. This isn’t as far-fetched as it sounds, we already use AI to improve our photos, or correct our grammar whilst writing. Why bother leaning how to construct a sentence properly when AI can do it for us. 6. If we gave you 10 million dollars to invest in something today, what would you invest in and why? Blockchain and metaverse technology of course! And maybe a jpeg of an ape. 7. What are you currently learning? I’m learning all the time a have a thirst for knowledge. I’ll read about all sorts of subjects, everything is interesting once you delve into a subject. Also, with my day job technology moves so fast I’m constantly have to update my skill set. And in my spare time I’ve done everything from renovating a house learning as I go from plumbing to hands on remodelling a kitchen and reroofing. That was definitely a learning experience. 8. What’s the best advice you’ve ever given someone? The same advice my father gave me, ‘I if can go wrong it will, so evaluate all possibilities first and account for them’ in other words DYOR. 9. What’s the best advice you’ve ever received? See previous answer. 10. Please give us the links to all your relevant social media profiles so we can use them to promote this interview! (Twitter and LinkedIn would be a huge plus) Twitter: @ant_trader About HackerNoon’s 2021 Noonie Awards The annual Noonie Awards celebrate the best and brightest of the tech industry, bringing together all who are making the Internet and the world of tech what it is today. Please be sure to , nominate, and vote for the people and companies who you think are making the biggest impact on the tech industry today. check out our award categories The 2021 Noonies are sponsored by: , , and . Thank you so much to these sponsors who are helping us celebrate the accomplishments of all our nominees. bybit Dottech Domains Avast

“I’m Tigerchops and I’m the CEO of me.”

We’re All Still So Early Out of everything that I cover in this article, the most important thing to understand is just how early we are. The Sandbox still hasn’t fully launched yet, high-end auction houses are still using basic flat-screen monitors to display NFTs worth millions of dollars, and Facebook just relaunched itself as ‘Meta’ Whether you’re already in this space or sitting on the sidelines, there really has never been a better time to dive headfirst and learn about how limitless the Metaverse could become. The Shift to the Metaverse By now you’ve probably heard about the NFT industry and how people are making thousands of dollars on “JPEG” images of dogs, cats, toads, rocks, scribbles, and even something called a Pumpa. What’s easy to overlook in the sea of NFTs with hundreds of new projects launching daily is that there is an underlying shift towards the Metaverse. This shift is likely to accelerate even faster now after Facebook relaunched itself as ‘Meta’. Many projects nowadays boast on their roadmap a plan to airdrop metaverse ready avatars or voxels to their holders which they can use in The Sandbox, Decentraland, or even their own custom-built “Metaverse”. For the most part, this news is always well received, floor prices are boosted, and holders are filled with hopium. The problem is that it’s way easier to say that you’re going to build for the Metaverse versus in the Metaverse. actually building something sustainable Of course, there will always be NFTs that you won’t “play” with in the Metaverse that can hold significant value such as CryptoPunks or blue-chip crypto art. However, for many of the NFTs that launched in 2021, especially 10k PFP (profile picture) projects, this shift to the Metaverse is just the natural evolution of the space. You can also argue that for many of these projects, they will need to be fun and interesting in the Metaverse in order to survive long term. It’s obvious that people not only want to use their NFT as their social media profile picture but there is a real demand to be their NFT in a virtual world where they can interact with others, the items they collect and play, and earn in a virtual economy. own The Big Problem - How to Choose the Right Project At this moment in time, we’re all super early and it’s a literal land grab in the Metaverse. Those who can choose the right projects and accumulate have an incredible opportunity to create generational wealth. Here’s where the problem lies, though. With so many projects to choose from, how the heck do you choose the right project? Obviously, if you have a truckload of ETH to play around with, you can just invest in any project with a slight glimmer of hope. However, for most of us with smaller wallets, you have to be much more careful with how you allocate your funds. Let’s first go over a framework I’ve learned to use to evaluate projects and then we’ll dive into why I think the CyberKongz is one of the most undervalued Metaverse plays you can make right now. Project Evaluation Framework At a high level, here is the framework that I’ve learned to use after observing much more experienced traders in the Wall Street Kongz (WSK) Discord channel. I’ve adjusted it slightly as we’re looking at a metaverse-specific play, versus a more standard 10k PFP project. Of course, this framework is not the end all be all, but I do think working through it will give you a much better understanding of whether or not a project has the potential to succeed in the Metaverse. If you’re not familiar with Wall Street Kongz (WSK), it’s the private alpha channel that is only available to 2D CyberKongz (Genesis and Baby Kongz). which Metaverse platform is the project planning to use? Some popular choices right now include The Sandbox, Decentraland, CryptoVoxels, and Somnium Space. Think about if you think the platform as a whole could succeed. Metaverse Platform: how strong is the project community? When you go to the project Discord, do you only see people talking about the floor price, or are people genuinely interested in the project? Community: is the project brand new or has it proven that it can weather multiple storms when the market takes a downturn. History: does the project have a sustainable utility token ecosystem? In other words, is a token created just for the project to have a token, or will there be utility that people actually want to use tokens for? Utility Token Ecosystem: does the gameplay footage in the Metaverse platform actually look fun? If you don’t think it looks fun, there will probably be others who think the same too. Will it be Fun: Why CyberKongz The CyberKongz project launched in March of this year and organically built itself as one of the top thought leaders in the space. If you’re not familiar with CyberKongz, they are a family of 20,000 CyberKongz split into 3 distinct types of CyberKongz which is shown in the below illustration. Since the topic of this article is on the Metaverse, the main focus will be on CyberKongz VX, however, each different type of CyberKongz has its place in the ecosystem. What’s important to understand about CyberKongz is that even though they look like a PFP project on the surface, once you start digging you’ll see that they have built one of the most complex ecosystems to date. In this ecosystem, you’ll find a successful utility token system that is actually utilized, an extremely strong and dedicated community, constant innovation, and big plans for The Sandbox Metaverse with their CyberKongz VX. Using the Project Evaluation Framework from above, let’s dive into 2 of the most important aspects of CyberKongz that give them a huge advantage as we take the next step into the Metaverse; their The Sandbox investments and the innovative CyberKongz utility token ecosystem. CyberKongz Metaverse Platform - The Sandbox When it comes to the CyberKongz investment into The Sandbox, there are really two parts at play here that are worth covering. First, why The Sandbox Metaverse has a great chance for success, and second, how the CyberKongz plan to build their lands in The Sandbox. Both parts are equally important and without one, you don’t get the full story behind why CyberKongz is a good all-around Metaverse play Why The Sandbox Even though there are many different Metaverses you can choose to hang out in, I think the #1 key to understanding if a given Metaverse will be popular is does it look fun? At the most basic level, the Metaverse is inherently a game. So if you can’t keep the players entertained, give them a bountiful selection of things to do, and keep them engaged through well-designed , it’s likely they will go elsewhere. compulsion loops What’s most promising is that The Sandbox is an entirely user-generated ecosystem with all assets being owned by the player. Users have access to a Voxel Editor that allows them to create unique assets, a Marketplace to buy and sell assets, and a Gamemaker to create their own distinct worlds. Since the content is user generated, the different types of adventures, lands, quests, and missions that a player can take part in are pretty much unlimited. To get an idea of what’s possible, just take a look at some of the diverse range of user-created worlds and you’ll quickly see what I mean. If you have a Windows computer, you can even download and try out some of the games yourself. The Sandbox Gamemaker Of course, there are pros and cons of having the entire Sandbox universe being user-created as it will lead to a wide range in quality between different lands. it also means a given project can clearly distinguish itself from the competition and other lands if they invest wisely and create a world and gameplay mechanic where people want to invest their time in. However, This is where CyberKongz come into play. Note: for some reason, I wasn’t able to embed YouTube videos in this article, but if you go to , there is a large selection of gameplay videos too. The Sandbox’s YouTube channel The CyberKongz Epic Sandbox Plans Any project can buy land in The Sandbox, that’s the easy part. What’s much more difficult and important is how a given project plans to utilize the land, build on it, and invest in it for the community. If a project just casually builds on their land without much thought, it might be fun for a couple of days, but it won’t be sustainable long term given the tough competition from other Metaverse projects; not to mention traditional gaming too. For CyberKongz, all you have to do is take one look into how they have invested in The Sandbox, the size of their lands, how they plan to build on their lands, and you’ll quickly understand how serious the CyberKongz are about out their Sandbox universe. These are the lands the CyberKongz own so far and what they’re planning to build: a 24 x 24 sprawling estate with dangerous jungles and ancient ruins that spans different biomes. Kongz Island: a 12 x 12 futuristic urban landscape where the city Kongz like to hang. Neo Kongz City: a 3 x 3 estate featuring our 1 of 1 Shrine of Kongz build which is the spiritual home of CyberKongz and a beacon of hope for all lost souls. Shrine of Kongz: There has not been much news about Kongz Island and Neo Kongz City. However, we do have a lot of information about the Shrine of Kongz so let’s use that as an example of just how massive the CyberKongz Metaverse will be. The Shrine of Kongz is a 1 of 1 legendary build by Sand Rush and Light Trail Adventures that was won by the CyberKongz in an auction in July of this year. In total, it took 8 different artists 2 months of work to complete the monument and features incredibly detailed artwork and craftsmanship. The coolest part about this build is that there is a built-in-ready-to-play parkour-based gamed that ends with a mysterious treasure chest on top of the Shrine of Kongz. Now, using this example, just imagine what CyberKongz VX will be able to do in the CyberKongz Sandbox Metaverse. This is all speculation but maybe we’ll see: A race to the top of the Shrine of Kongz for exclusive treasures? A Kongz Colosseum where our CyberKongz battle it out for prizes? What about a Kongz Casino where degen Kongz can go hang out? Just imagine how fun that would be! What’s even more exciting is the potential for creation in The Sandbox is limitless 🤯 The Utility of $BANANA Disclaimer: Banana is not an investment vehicle and it carries no value, 1 banana = 1 banana Even though the utility of $BANANA isn’t directly related to the build of CyberKongz lands, it’s a key differentiator of the CyberKongz and is ingrained in their ecosystem. Because of this, I think it’s worth covering in some detail. The $BANANA token is a utility token that is used for everything in the CyberKongz universe. There are obvious utility use cases such as breeding Baby Kongz and changing the name of your CyberKongz (2D and VX), which have been there since their respective launches. However, what is worth pointing out is that the Council of Kongz is always trying to innovate on new use cases for $BANANA. With The Sandbox launching in hopefully Q1 of 2022, the $BANANA token will shift to the be used in Banana Shop to purchase items to use in The Sandbox. These items could include weapons, wearables, and even mobility items. What’s more exciting is that since the items will be for The Sandbox, there is an wide variety of different items that could be created. On top of the Banana Shop use cases, the CyberKongz have already introduced $BANANA to have weighting in their and have spurred innovation to use $BANANA outside the CyberKongz ecosystem through their . CyberKongz OOH Community Governance voting Kongz Tank initiative As you can see, there are many ingeniously pioneered ideas that have been developed for the $BANANA token with more to come in the future too. I think one of the reasons for the $BANANA token’s success is its well-balanced supply and demand dynamics. Here is how it works at a high level: $BANANA Supply In the entire ecosystem, only Genesis Kongz yields $BANANA. Each Genesis Kong yields 10 $BANANA per day and there are 1,000 Genesis Kongz. So: Daily new supply = 10 x 1,000 = 10,000 new $BANANA per day. $BANANA Demand Currently, the biggest use case for $BANANA is to breed Baby Kongz. It takes 2 Genesis Kongz and 600 $BANANAs burned to breed a Baby Kong. What’s amazing to see is that when looking at historical data, almost all $BANANA that has been claimed has been burned to breed Baby Kongz. To give you an idea, just take a look at this 3 month chart created by , who is a Genesis Kong. @sancrypt Here you will see that over the last 3 months: Avg Daily Banana Claimed: 9,998 nanas Avg Daily Banana Burnt: 9,886 nanas Avg Daily Baby Bred: 16 babies Baby Left to be Born: 828 Total Baby Kong supply: 4,000 max This means that in this time period, close to 99% of the $BANANA that were claimed were burned to breed Baby Kongz at an average daily rate of 16 babies per day. This also means that all Baby Kongz will be born between middle of December 2021 and January 2022. Of course, once all the Baby Kongz are born, the demand for the $BANANA token has to come from other utilities whether that means burning $BANANA or not, which the CyberKongz team has continued to innovate on. Overall, here is a more concise summary of the current and future use cases for the $BANANA token, with much more likely to come: Support/invest in up to 5 projects with the best ideas to integrate CyberKongz NFTs and/or $BANANAs into their ecosystem. Kongz Tank (Upcoming): Players will be able to buy custom CyberKongz VX equipment and wearables when the Banana Shop opens to use in The Sandbox. Banana Shop for The Sandbox Items (Upcoming): will be accepted at the Uniqly store for merch and other drops. IRL Merch at Uniqly (Upcoming): 2 Genesis Kongz can breed a Baby Kong by burning 600 $BANANA Breed Baby Kongz: Use 10 $BANANA to change the name of Genesis / Baby Kong and 2 $BANANA to change the name of CyberKongz VX. Name Changes: $BANANA doesn’t get burned in this use case. However, the $BANANA you own is used in the calculation to determine how many votes you have. CyberKongz OOH Community Governance Voting: The reason why I wanted to dive deeper into the Bananaomics of the CyberKongz ecosystem is to show you the thought and care that has gone into creating the economy. Any project can launch a token very easily. However, what’s difficult, is to create a token that people want to use while keeping the supply and demand in balance. Conclusion After Facebook relaunched itself as ‘Meta’ it’s clear the Metaverse is the next frontier. The time you have to accumulate assets, property, land in the Metaverse before the big players come is running short. So, if you want to position your portfolio for Metaverse exposure, the time to choose winning projects is now. I hope after reading this article, you have a better understanding of why I think CyberKongz and more specifically CyberKongz VX is an undervalued Metaverse play right now. Not only are the CyberKongz one of the strongest communities, but they have also proven themselves over time as builders, creators, and innovators in the space. CyberKongz VX are currently sitting at a floor of ~1.15 ETH. Yes, it isn’t cheap. However, when you consider a CyberKongz VX is exposing you to the CyberKongz community, the CyberKongz Sandbox Metaverse, and Sandbox’s future growth, it starts to make more sense. Please note all opinions above belong to the author alone. Nothing here constitutes professional investment advice. Please do your own thorough research before making any investment decision. DISCLAIMER: This article is part of The hosted by HackerNoon in partnership with . Gaming Metaverse Writing Contest The Sandbox Submit your story today for your chance to win up to $2000. #gaming-metaverse

Why CyberKongz is the Most Undervalued Metaverse Play Right Now

The metaverse is quite possibly the future of the internet. To help our readers learn more about it, we've started this metaverse interview series. These are the questions we've compiled to ask experts in blockchain, DAOs, NFTs, and game development, within the HackerNoon community. The series is intended for tech professionals to contribute their insights about the current state and the future of the metaverse. If you too would like to start contributing to Hacker Noon, you can do so here. If you also want to publish your thoughts about the metaverse, answer the template here. HackerNoon Interviewer: So let’s start! First, tell us a bit about yourself. For example, name, profession, and personal interests. GM (Good Morning), to use crypto speak, or goodnight and everything else in between. I go by the handle of Tigerchops in the metaverse, and we’re here to talk about the metaverse. IRL, (there we go with the acronyms again), In Real Life, I’m a Cloud Solutions Architect. No, I don’t design those fluffy things in the sky, that would be more fun, I design IT solutions that live in remote datacentres. What are my personal interests?, obviously the metaverse, and NFTs, (oops another acronym), that’s Non Fungible Token, usually a digital asset such as a piece of digital ART or an avatar. I’ll talk about these later as they go hand in hand with the metaverse. I also have an interest in Cars and Motorbikes having been in the trade previously. Please sum up what the metaverse is in 1 to two paragraphs. The Metaverse is a 3D digital representation of the real world, of sorts, for example a store in the Metaverse won’t be a replica of a real world store, it may not have walls or doors. But it will be recognisable as a store. Users will be represented by ‘Avatars’, a digital representation of them selves that they can choose. The word metaverse is a combination of the words ‘Meta’ meaning beyond and Universe. The term was coined by Neal Stephenson in his 1992 novel “Snow Crash.” However the majority of people will be more familiar with the 2018 Motion Picture ‘Ready Player One’ Based on Ernest Clines Novel of the Same Name. This representation is how most people will imagine the metaverse. Are you currently, directly or indirectly, working on building a metaverse? I currently hold a few parcels of ‘Land’, represented as NFT’s, in The Sandbox Game metaverse. I have some plans to build out experiences on these ‘Lands’ and I’m also looking at other Land offerings from other metaverse players in the space, one of those being Somnium Space. I’ll also be looking to help out on a few projects revolving around the metaverse, such as working with ,Roxel who are building customisable Avatars and social hubs that cross the various metaverse’s. In your opinion, is the metaverse inevitable, or is it just another passing trending tech topic that'll lose hype? The Metaverse may well be the next iteration of the World Wide Web and in my opinion inevitable. However, how this will look depends on who is building the Metaverse. The Sandbox are building a voxel Based 3D Metaverse for gaming mostly. Then there’s Decentraland, with games, stores and social hubs. Somnium Space are covering all angles with social meetups, gaming and events. To be a true metaverse these will have to be linked up in some way. Speaking of the later, Somnium Space have investment from the Winklevoss twins’ Gemini fund, who are also advisors to the project. So with Mark Zuckerberg’s old rivals and Facebook becoming ‘Meta’ - a metaverse company, I think we are going to see a race to the top. Why is the metaverse such a revolutionary concept? Much like how the World Wide Web made information more accessible and email revolutionised communications, the metaverse will bring opportunity to everyone. Take the Axie Infinity game, there are people earning more than minimum wage in their respective countries playing in the Axie Infinity metaverse. I’m not just talking about the poorest countries in African or South America, we can include European countries like Portugal. Then we can take a look closer to home with the likes of Yat Labs, who all work remotely and hold their company meetings in a virtual meeting room around a virtual table with the use of VR headsets. Real world utility is creeping into the metaverse. It can seemingly bring people closer together, as shown we can conduct business but we can also can attend festivals and events. I myself recently attended an exhibition event in the metaverse with exhibitor stands, breakout rooms and various talks, all with out having to leave my home office and jet off around the world. I attended a music festival in decentraland, without contributing to environmental cost of the running and clean up of a real life festival. What can people build in the metaverse that we can't build on the Internet, or in virtual reality today? What limitations of our current technology does the metaverse free us from? Technology has advanced a lot and Covid has forced us to make use of it. It has been necessary to work remotely over Zoom or Teams, people have become used to this. However it still doesn’t replace being in a room with a colleague or a customer. We’ve already talked how Virtual Reality is enabling this with some companies, lets take this further, how about putting a suit on your avatar and going into an virtual opera. Your ticket is an NFT to allow you in to see the performance. Today everyone carries a smart phone, maybe in the future you’ll be sitting in a Coffee shop in real life and headsets will have advanced to no bigger than a pair of glasses so you pop them on and have a friendly coffee with a friend on the others side of the world. Maybe you’re on a dating site but instead of swiping right on you phone you can pop on your headset and go speed dating. This is one vision of where this technology could take us. How are the metaverse and blockchain related? Can we build a metaverse without blockchain technology? As mentioned earlier there are a number of projects in the metaverse space and they all use their own currency, we have The Sandbox Game with their $SAND currency, Somnium Space with $Cube and Decentraland with $MANA. all based on the Etherthum ERC20 standard and these are readily exchangeable with each other via Ethereum. No matter what the future of the metaverse looks like we will be making payments for services and digital goods, cryptocurrency has a pretty big hold on that at the moment as the preferred method of payment and of course relies on Blockchain technology. Cryptocurrency is used in play-to-earn games and can be used to send  cross border payments to family, these are helping to lift a lot of disadvantaged people out of poverty. Then we have ownership of assets in the metaverse. You can’t show off your Ferrari or your Rolex watch in the metaverse, but you can show off your Plot of metaverse land, your digital art, your avatar and you can even dress your avatar with digital wearables. As in real life people want to display their wealth, and they will. This is why you can’t build a metaverse without Blockchain Technology. Blockchain provides proof of ownership. If you want to display your Bored Ape or your Cryptopunk, it will have to be residing in your crypto wallet or you wont be able to, your Avatar will have to be on the Blockchain and in your crypto wallet if you don’t want a standard guest Avatar. How quickly do you think the metaverse will be developed? How much can we expect metaverse tech to grow in the next 5 to 10 years? I think development will speed up now that Facebook, sorry Meta, have revealed their intentions. That sends a message that it can’t and won’t be ignored. Somnium Space have quite a head start and are working closely with the development of VR headsets, and with Teslasuit to provide full body tracking and sensorial experience such as feeling the rain against your body, or feeling G force whilst driving a simulated sports car, it feels like they’re already light years ahead. That’s where we are now, reaching into the science fiction of motions pictures like Ready Player One with its full Haptic boot suit. With Moore’s law, Gordon Moore stated ‘ I believe this is what we can expect from the metaverse. We can only image were we will be in 5 to 10 years either the fact we still have bulky head sets is going to scupper it much like having to wear glasses killed 3D home cinema, or we will find a way around that. maybe we all have immersive cubicles in our homes we can stand in. Maybe in 10 years we be plugging a connector into our heads to tap directly in to our optical nerves. Ok so perhaps I’m going a bit Matrix with that one but again the only limit is our imagination. that the number of transistors on a microchip doubles every two years, though the cost of computers is halved, and that this growth is exponential.’ What is your hope for the metaverse? Do you have any worries or does the concept pose any threats? The metaverse will make the world seem a lot smaller. It will bring people closer together wherever they are and that can only be a good thing. There was a time when people had pen pals and wrote letters to each other across the globe, then they would send emails. In the metaverse they can sit in the same room, talk and play games. I hope that the technology will become cheap enough and accessible enough for people from disadvantaged areas of the world to be able to put on headset and go to school to get the kind of education they can’t access now. Then we have the flip side of the metaverse coin. There will always be bad actors out to exploit the technology. We have the dark web and we had silk road, we may well see the dark metaverse and that sends shivers down my spine. Then we have authoritarian states who will censor and control what can be accessed and carry out state sponsored cyber terrorism, this is nothing new, but there will be large entities looking to control the metaverse and we’ve seen how influential miss-information campaigns can be on current social media platforms, and we’ve seen how much data they gather through our online activities. These entities cannot be allowed to wield this kind of power in the metaverse. Thanks for your time! Any final words? The metaverse is is very young, and doesn’t really exist but for a number of projects all trying to create their version of the metaverse. These projects are giving us a glimpse of the future but ultimately we don’t how it will evolve and what it will look like. It may be very different to how we imagine it now, but I think for certain, blockchain technology and NFTs will form the backbone. With Facebook joining the race to build the metaverse you can be sure everyone is taking notice. This article is part of The hosted by HackerNoon in partnership with . Gaming Metaverse Writing Contest The Sandbox Submit your story today for your chance to win up to $2000. #gaming-metaverse

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