The metaverse envelops us everywhere, permeating every aspect of our digital experiences. It manifests when you engage in token swaps, immerse yourself in the Play to Earn Game Festival, or partake in battles within Lunacia. Its presence is felt while working, shopping on an NFT marketplace, or logging into services using your wallet. The metaverse is the interconnected world that unites us all.
While I admire numerous projects in the blockchain space for various reasons, some attempt to claim exclusive ownership of the term 'metaverse,' declaring things like 'the metaverse of our game.' This assertion is inaccurate. There's no singular metaverse confined to a particular entity. The metaverse is the shared environment we all inhabit, transcending boundaries and discrimination. It rejects walls and borders, as the tools shaping the metaverse exist to dismantle such constraints. Those who construct walls will inevitably isolate themselves from the metaverse, while the metaverse continues to thrive without them. It remains open, interoperable, and enduring—an inclusive space that persists and evolves. Let's delve deeper into these characteristics.
Metaverse characteristics
Network
The metaverse functions as a network comprising (virtual) universes interconnected and bridged through technology. Consequently, distinct projects like The Sandbox, Axie Infinity, and Decentraland, despite their differences, are integral components of the metaverse. Their economies intertwine, allowing players to seamlessly log in to each of them using the same identity (wallet).
Interoperability
The bridging of universes extends beyond connectivity; digital assets and identities can seamlessly traverse between them. Items obtained in one virtual world can find utility in another. Using the same wallet, you can log in to platforms like Cryptovoxels and Decentraland, maintaining a consistent identity across these virtual spaces. Looking ahead, your virtual representation is anticipated to be uniform, enabling you to drive the same car in diverse virtual locations. The establishment of industry standards becomes imperative—guidelines not only for identity but also for managing visual representation and, of course, asserting ownership over digital items.
Everywhere
The metaverse has the potential to deliver experiences spanning both digital and physical realms, facilitated by public or private networks and accessible on open or closed platforms. This encompasses augmented reality, virtual reality, and digital events seamlessly blending with physical spaces. To ensure interoperability and seamless crossovers, a standard programming model is essential. When individuals introduce new elements to the metaverse, adherence to a standardized set of rules is crucial for compatibility and harmonious integration.
Platform Agnostic
The metaverse operates without the need for a specific platform; it is inherently platform-agnostic. Users can engage with metaverse elements through their smartphones, or they can immerse themselves in the experience with VR suits. This inclusivity spans a wide spectrum of interactions—from a simple wallet swipe to make a payment at the grocery store, which is essentially an interaction with the metaverse, to the immersive VR experience of running within Somnium Space at the other end of the spectrum.
Live
The metaverse mirrors the real world in its dynamic nature. Just like in reality, there are events scheduled for specific locations, dates, and times within the metaverse. These events can be meticulously planned or emerge spontaneously, resembling anything from a scheduled concert to an impromptu flash mob.
User Generated Content
In a virtual sandbox world, the responsibility for content creation extends beyond companies. Users, creators, and freelance developers become active contributors to the metaverse, generating a diverse array of content—from games and services to exhibitions and educational tools. The metaverse must prioritize and facilitate this collaborative creation, emphasizing ease and unlimited creative freedom. Simultaneously, there's a need for community oversight or a form of governance to maintain a balance and ensure responsible engagement within this expansive digital realm.
Economy
Within the metaverse, a distinct economy emerges, enabling individuals and businesses to engage in the creation, ownership, sale, and earning from a myriad of tasks that generate services or value for others. This economy doesn't necessitate a single cryptocurrency; it can accommodate any cryptocurrency. Token swapping serves as the unifying mechanism, interconnecting all tokens into a cohesive and singular digital economy.
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