Comparative analysis on Metaverses
What started as a concept in gaming industry has transitioned to an entirely different universe of 3D internet known as metaverse
We are moving into a surreal age of the digital world. Technologies like Blockchain, VR/AR, and Artificial intelligence have taken the world by storm.
The metaverse is a world that doesn’t exist, but you see and experience it anyway because it is all virtual. If you have difficulty understanding this information, recall films like the Matrix and Ready Player One. Remember, in Ready Player One, once you enter the Oasis, you can be anyone and do anything. In the Matrix, once they plugged in, they plunged into different realities.
According to a recent market survey by Allied Market Research, the global AR/VR market is valued at $14.8 billion in 2020 and is expected to reach $453.6 billion in 2030.
Here we will talk about what a metaverse is, the history of the Metaverse and analysis of different significant metaverses present today.
What precisely is the Metaverse?
The Metaverse is a network of 3D virtual worlds focused on social connection. In futurism and science fiction, it’s often described as a hypothetical iteration of the internet as a single, universal virtual world that is facilitated by virtual and augmented reality headsets. A 3D internet where users can socialize, work and play.
In 1992, sci-fi writer Neal Stephenson coined the term ‘Metaverse’ to describe a 3D virtual space with avatars and people using these avatars to interact in the “Snow Crash’’ novel. In 2003, the most famous virtual world game “Second Life” came online. In 2021, Facebook changed its name to Meta to reflect its plans to create the Metaverse, which led to the introduction of the concept to the masses.
Fig1. History of metaverse / CNBC
Significantly the Metaverse is not just a singular totality. It is conceptualized as a decentralized multiverse driven by the creator economy. The multiverse was categorized into seven layers by gaming executive Jon Radoff namely, Experience, Discovery, Creator economy, Spatial Computing, Decentralization, Human Interface, and Infrastructure.
Fig 2. Seven Layers of the metaverse | Jon Radoff
COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF METAVERSES
At ArchiDAO, in our study group session, we analyzed some of the significant metaverse platforms based on graphics, utility, decentralization, etc. Barbara Villanova, an Architect and member of ArchiDAO, broke down the basics, the Metaverse its history, etc., followed by Mayur Mistry, a Design Technologist and Founding member of ArchiDAO, who puts light on various metaverse platforms.`
Archidao study group session on Metaverse history and analysis .
Depending upon what you want to achieve, you select a platform for the use case.
Let’s break down some of the significant platforms and understand them.
Fig3. Comparison of various metaverse platforms | An edition to Outlier Ventures’ graphics
DECENTRALAND
First on the list is Decentraland, an online decentralized virtual world on the Ethereum blockchain. It’s a single layer of Metaverse divided into a grid. Every single coordinate is called LAND, which is the nonfungible token. All the LAND is of the same size. Users can buy, sell or lease their LAND. Users can build several different buildings or attractions on the plots of virtual land, and those can then be monetized or traded to others for a profit. Users can create districts to coordinate themselves, and this one functions as separated entities/companies. There is a limited LAND supply, and there is no way to generate more unless the community proposes it through the Decentraland DAO. They have a marketplace where buyers can buy and sell wearables. The world was open in February 2020.
CRYPTOVOXELS
Cryptovoxels is a Minecraft-inspired project. It’s based on the Ethereum blockchain. It’s a single layer of Metaverse divided into plots and islands. The main island called Origin City has a limited supply of parcels. Players can buy land and build art galleries and stores.
Their team is constantly generating new islands and parcels to fund the project.
Every plot has a different size and limitations. An interesting aspect is free space creation.
The world was open in July/2018.
SOMNIUM SPACE
Somnium space is a project focused on high-end devices. It’s a virtual world based on blockchain. It’s a single layer of Metaverse divided unevenly into plots and lands and some islands. Every plot has different sizes and limitations. The project aims at owning different metaverse layers called Somnium worlds. It has the highest graphics quality of all. The world was open on 20/02/2020.
So there it is. Today, there are many more platforms, but time will only tell which platform will get mainstream adoption. Many of the platforms today offer significantly less value than what the whole concept of metaverse can offer. Some platforms with their “virtual real estate” approach stop the potential creators from participating. More or less, the Metaverse provides significant opportunities for Architects. It is upon us how we utilize this time of innovation and growth to create something great.
In the next post, we will explore Spatial.io, a highly accessible metaverse platform.
Until then Take care!😉