The Gaming Metaverse - All You Need to Know

Do you need the current and most up-to-date information on the gaming metaverse? We have collected all the details and facts on the topic right here!

  • This is an expert guide for the gaming Metaverse and what we consider to be the future of the industry.
  • Our team specializes in analyzing the Metaverse industry, more specifically what is trending in the Metaverse.

What is a Metaverse?

The conceptualization of a metaverse is recent, but widely considered to be the future iteration of the internet. A metaverse consists of persistent, shared, 3D virtual spaces linked into a perceived virtual universe.

The Future of Metaverse Development //

Everyone who knows anything about Web 3.0 and the Metaverse wants a piece of it. Those who can afford it have got in at the ground floor and been part of the lucky group of pioneers who are able to fundamentally define the future of the internet and how we interact with and within it. Endless possibilities exist when an entire virtual universe is created which can digitally represent anything we can see in reality and literally anything of which we can conceive.

Jon Radoff explains that the layers of the Metaverse and the industries that represent those layers need to work together to achieve some sort of singular focus in the Metaverse to enable us to sustainably earn a living, study, play games, or attend events.

  1. Experience is the outer layer, representing how we actually interact with the Metaverse. It is what defines the genuine purpose of the Metaverse, why companies are focussing on it (basically why Facebook became Meta).
  2. Discovery is the layer representing the funnel that feeds users into the Metaverse. Social networks, stores, agents, and all those are propelling the “word of mouth” about Metaverse experience anywhere and everywhere.
  3. The Creator Economy is anything that empowers creators to connect with users more directly. This also includes the software and technology which enables the creation of the immersive front-end of the Metaverse experience.
  4. Spatial Computing represents the layer of technology that supports creative software as a foundation. VR and AR technologies, 3D engines, AI, and all multi-tasking interfaces facilitate the interactions within the Metaverse.
  5. Decentralization is already here, thanks to blockchain technology. The exchange of crypto assets is decentralized financing. Cloud computing has allowed the decentralization of hardware and software infrastructures, an essential part of where the technology is being built.
  6. Human Interface comes in the later stages, with a lot of gadgets that need perfecting, like smart glasses, neural sensors that catch every gesture, wearables, and even our mobile phones. Immersion into a digital world should not require users to look like they are bashing a pinata on a treadmill.
  7. Infrastructure is the innermost layer and it requires a lot of progress in network speeds, GPUs, and other materials

Industries representing these layers need to cooperate and resolve obstacles holding the Metaverse back. It may take decades, but it is inevitable in our opinion that collaboration in decentralization will be a pivot point in the process of further digitalizing our lives.

What tech specs are needed to connect to the metaverse?

Playstation

Launched since 2016 and with more than 30 million VR games and apps sold along with the headset, we can say that PlayStation VR is in the leading board for selling high-end VR headset, ever. At the time of writing they have released two models with code names CUH-ZVR1 series and CUH-ZVR2 series with price of $399 per headset.

CUH-ZVR1 Specifications

  • OLED display
  • 5.7 inches display size
  • 1920 x RGB x 1080 resolution
  • 90hz and 120hz refresh rate
  • Approximately 100 degrees field of view
  • Integrated microphone
  • Accelerometer and gyroscope sensors
  • HDMI and USB connection
  • 3D audio processing (Mirroring mode, Separate mode, Cinematic mode)
  • Approximately 965g weight

Sony released CUH-ZVR2 series on 10th of November 2017.

Oculus Quest 2

Created by Oculus, brand of Facebook, Oculus Quest 2 was officially unveiled on 16th of September 2020, during the Facebook Connect 7 with a set price of $299 for the 64 GB model and $399 for the 256 GB model. There are 2 ways to run your Oculus Quest 2: As a standalone headset with an internal which is Android-based operating system Or with Oculus-compatible VR software running on a desktop computer connected over USB or Wi-Fi. In order to use the Oculus Quest 2 you have to log in with your Facebook account.

Valve Index VR Kit

Announced on April 2019 and released on June the same year and created by Steam, Valve Index VR Kit can be purchased for $1079 on their official site. The package includes a headset, 2 controllers, 2 base stations and all the necessary cables and connectors for it. Of course there are different packages that can be bought starting from $159 to $799. Important thing to mention is the fact that you will need to have the Base Station and a PC in order to run the Valve Index VR. And you are ready to experience high fidelity of virtual reality.

HTC Vive Pro 2

HTC released new generation virtual reality headset of their Vive Pro Series in May 2021, called Vive Pro 2. The full kit can be bought for a price of €1439 from their official site. It includes a headset, link box, two controllers, two base stations and all the necessary cables and adapters. You will need the full kit and a good computer in order to play.

HTC Vive Cosmos Elite

Another virtual reality headset made by the HTC company is available since October 2019. It is called Vive Cosmos Elite and it can be purchase for €1029. The full kit includes immersive VR using Steam tracking with two years consumer warranty, a headset, two Base stations, two mounting kits, two Vive controllers and all the necessary cables and adapters to be able to play.

 

Which video games and virtual platforms are shaping up the current Metaverse?

Alright, since we now know a bit about what a metaverse is and how important games are to this concept, let’s look at some of the available metaverse games out there.

Keep in mind that metaverse gaming as a concept is relatively new, so the availability is still slim.

1. Decentraland

Release date 2016
Users 10,000+
Currencies MANA, LAND
Availability Browser supported

Decentraland is one of the first attempts to create an Open World Metaverse that uses the Ethereum network, allowing different players to connect to the virtual world via their wallets and use all the assets within the world.

In Decentraland, users can roam around different aspects of the metaverse, visit other players’ lands, trade assets, and visit incredible custom-made events and experiences such as festivals, concerts, museums, carnivals and casinos. As an example, Decentraland hosted a four-day long festival where upwards of 50,000 users joined and experienced 80 artists including Deadmau5, 3LAU, Alison Wonderland, and others.

The sky is the limit as to the sheer volume and creativity of experiences that users can create in the Metaverse. Almost everything is possible in Decentraland. Users can own land or objects, including wearables which they can use to customize their avatars and then trade these as assets.

People who want to determine the future of the virtual worlds they inhabit, maintain ownership of their creative output and move freely between them will choose the decentralised version.
Dave Carr

The project has two tokens.

The first token type is an NFT and is called LAND, which defines the ownership of land parcels representing digital real estate inside the game.

The other token is called MANA which is an ERC-20 token and is used to buy virtual goods such as wearables and services inside Decentraland. The one feature most of us are waiting for is official VR support which should be coming soon. After that feature is implemented in the game, we can really feel like we are a part of the metaverse.

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2. The Sandbox

Release date 2021
Users 1,000+
Currencies Sandbox, LANDS
Availability Windows

The Sandbox is the new kid on the block. This project is trying to rival Decentraland for the #1 spot in the decentralized Open World Metaverse space.
The Sandbox also focuses heavily on creating your own assets or NFTs, trading them with other players, and creating your own personal experience.
It has a lot of similarities to Decentraland but focuses more on Minecraft-style visualization. The project itself consists of 3 different aspects. The first one is 3d Asset creation.
The first one is 3D Asset creation. Everyone can go to voxedit.io, create their own items and mint them as NFTs, meaning that you can mint them into the metaverse in a couple of minutes. You can mint your own clothes, tools, cars, houses, animals, pretty much anything you can think of. And if you are good with animations, you can even animate them.
And if you are good with animations, you can even animate them. The second part of the game is the marketplace, where each user can either buy or sell the already mentioned NFTs for either SAND (Which is the ERC-20 token of the project) or exchange them for LAND, which represents portions of digital real estate in the metaverse.

We are creating this open metaverse. We are positioning the Sandbox against those giant tech companies who are claiming the metaverse to be theirs, offering an alternative where users are first,
Sebastien Borget

The team behind the project consists of highly experienced people in the gaming industry as well as blockchain experts and engineers.

The community is also massive. The project is followed by over 800,000 accounts across their social media channels. And that’s where it gets interesting when it comes to decision-making regarding the game.

Owners of the SAND token can not only use the token as a form of exchange in the marketplace but can also participate in Foundation grant attributions to content and game creators and even propose changes or additions to the project’s roadmap.

Of course, we cannot forget to mention the number of partnerships the project has. Big names in the gaming industry such as Atari and Square Exin. They also have partnerships with other blockchain-based games such as Axie infinity, Crypto Kitties, League of Kingdoms, Ember Sword, and many more.

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3. Horizon (By Meta)

Release date 2018
Users 5,000+
Currencies N/A
Availability VR

Facebook or Meta has been quietly working on a metaverse since 2016 called Horizon. The project itself was released to the public in early 2018, where people could connect to their version of the metaverse via VR headsets.

In Horizon, users could create their own worlds or cities, participate in different activities such as bowling, playing pool, and even move their team calls from a boring 2D view to a more life-like situation where people could gather around in a room and see each other’s avatars and interact.

That said, the gaming use-cases in Horizon seems to be a top priority, according to Meta. They are trying to combine the Horizon metaverse with popular games such as Beat Saber, GTA: San Andreas, and many more.

Mark Zuckerberg has also promised to introduce the immersion of NFTs, meaning that people can connect their wallets and use their NFTs within Horizon.

Horizon is shaping up to become an interesting intersection between “Crypto” people – those who own a large number of NFTs, and more casual users who are only just entering this space and figuring out what a metaverse actually looks like.

Today we are seen as a social media company. But in our DNA we are a company that builds technology to connect people.
Mark Zuckerberg

How do NFTs and DeFi blend within the Metaverse?

As previously explained, a metaverse is a completely open world where users have control over what is built and what kinds of activities are possible in the digital world. But in order for us to reach the most decentralized version of the Metaverse, NFTs and DeFi must be correctly integrated to become part of the ecosystem.

NFTs, fit perfectly into the metaverse. People can mint different digital of assets as NFTs such as land, clothing for their avatars, pets, buildings, etc.

Like most open-world metaverse games, a large component of the appeal is people customizing their image and getting their hands on new assets, and the NFT token makes it easy for people to trade with each other.

DeFi also has a place in the gaming metaverse for trading and generating new assets. Most popular gaming titles have in-game economies, so it makes sense for the future metaverses to also include their own.

DeFi in the Metaverse can give users the opportunity to generate forms of income through NFTs based on how the metaverse is set up.

We cannot give a specific example yet since the concept of DeFi into the Metaverse has yet, but rest assured it does have its own spot in the whole scheme of things.

Evolution of E-Sports in the Metaverse?

E-Sports has grown massively as an industry in the past 20 years, but the Metaverse will take it to the next level. Most games in the upcoming years will utilize metaverse platforms to give casual and professional players a real chance of proving their skills without being limited by keyboards, mice, or controllers.

MMORPG games such as World of Warcraft or New World can benefit immensely from VR / Metaverse implementation.

FPS games such as Counter-Strike or Call of Duty can also give their players free movement and real-life reactions, which infinitely improve the feeling of immersion.

Virtuix Omni has been working on a VR/Treadmill combination to give players as close a feeling as possible to a real FPS battle.

Metaverse games in the past, present and future

Everyone is talking about The Metaverse and even dark Metaverse, along with the NFTs and their connection with cryptocurrency and the blockchain.

Some well-known game titles such as Second Life, Minecraft, Fortnite, and Decentraland are very popular and there are so many new projects coming out, many of them very promising like Lost Relics, 9lives, Mist, The 6 Dragons, Mirandus.

The Metaverse in the past

Before diving into the future of the Metaverse and how NFTs will shape that future, let's turn back time and see what happened to Warcraft and Diablo III.

Warcraft had a well developed virtual world and a large community around the globe with more than 10 years of gameplay and several expansions. But as of today, the project is no more.

One of the reasons is that the game did not account for development; some of the first players who joined the game become too developed, and new players found it very demotivating that the best players were always able to get the best items in the game. The lesson learnt was that the most valuable investment in the game is the actual time spent in the game.

The fate of Diablo III was simple; the developers tried to bridge the game world with real-world money; it was a disaster.

At one point, there was a huge gap between free-to-play gamers and those spending a lot of money on gameplay in Diablo III. For the everyday gamer, the only thing left to catch up was the endless farming, which caused huge imbalance and finally ended badly for the developers and for the high-pay players.

After 3 years of game play, the game became nearly forgotten. It was one of the first 3D Nvidia-enabled games and a good multiplayer, but the idea of a shop where you were able to spend USD to buy better armor and weapons did not pan out. It was a good try, but perhaps too far ahead of its time.

Metaverse payment systems

The theory holds that the virtual world should have a better and more streamlined payment system than reality; we are far from there yet.

The current payment options available are insufficient and unfair, however if we switch to a blockchain-based system, this comes with its own challenges.

Blockchain and NFTs are a potential solution to these problems because they are decentralized and many of them are in process of becoming very energy efficient.

We think that there is some potential of blockchain-based payment systems for new games within the Metaverse. And that NFT driven memberships might be among the solutions.

For instance, Friends with Benefits is a membership club where members use the tokens purchased to gain access to private events, info, and discords. Users buy a certain number of tokens to enter the club and either hold them to remain members or sell them to leave the club.

The goal of the Metaverse ecosystem is not to have ownership per se but to be part of a gamer community. And finding a way to turn that value into a fair, transparent payment solution is the goal to be achieved.

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Here are several problems that the Metaverse payment system needs to overcome:

  1. The current payment system incurs high transaction costs.
  2. Distribution platforms (like Apple and consoles) lock in customers and developers with high fees.
  3. Virtual world-based payment systems are still actively developing and expanding.

How do NFTs and DeFi blend-in with the Metaverse?

Content in the Metaverse

The Metaverse will allow users to generate their own content and distribute it freely. The users in the Metaverse won't need a separate Facebook profile or Fortnite character; they will just be themselves in all channels. This continuity of identity is a core feature behind how users will consume content in the Metaverse.

To allow for true interoperability between platforms, the corporations owning them must relinquish some control. This process is already underway. Sony, for instance, moved to allow cross-platform play on PlayStation.

Undoubtedly, the Metaverse will lead to many consumer-facing brands. That is because the new access technologies do more than shift how users consume content; they change the content themselves.

Services: Who are the big players in the Metaverse?

The Metaverse can be broken down into two types of platforms.

The first centers around building a blockchain-based Metaverse using crypto and NFTs. These are platforms like the Sandbox and Decentraland that allows users to play, own and build their own environment.

The second group refers to the Metaverse more generally, where people can meet up for business and entertainment. Facebook, for instance, announced that it is creating a product team to work on the Metaverse. Other big tech companies like Google, Alphabet, etc. are also jumping into the space.

Fortnite, Roblox, Minecraft, and Aim Lab are gaming platforms where players can collaborate in games. Aim Lab also offers a virtual AI training ground. This way, gamers looking to improve their gameplay can connect and be trained by some of the best in the gaming world.

Assets/Purchasing and Making Money in the Metaverse: 

To build a metaverse business, it will have to produce virtual assets. And buying and trading on blockchain platforms will require the use of cryptocurrency.

Several crypto-based platforms require ETH-based tokens to buy and trade virtual assets. For instance, in Decentraland, you can use MANA to buy virtual plots of land. There are even casinos where you can gamble in MANA. In the Sandbox, you can use the SAND token to buy and sell land and assets.

NFTs will also play a fundamental role in the Metaverse, giving people complete ownership of their assets.

Best sources to keep up-to-date with the Metaverse

The best resources to follow and stay up-to-date with all Metaverse news/events:

About Us

At GamesMetaverse.com, we are excited about the dawn of the Metaverse and the part we can play in it.

We are proud to be among the most prominent sources to bring you the hottest and most up-to-date news about everything Games and Metaverse. Our team is engaged in a huge number of projects in the blockchain, NFT, and metaverse ecosystems, which for now will remain behind the scenes.

We are versatile professionals coming from different industries and parts of the World, striving to enable humanity to embrace the new age of blockchain, DeFi services and the digitalization of our daily routines. Our team believes that we are all explorers going through life’s different journeys, and even if our bodies tie us down, we can still explore with our minds - through the Metaverse. Let's make it happen together.

We would love to hear about your project or ideas for collaboration.