In the early days of the internet, the world wide web was a wild west of information, with centralised institutions controlling both the flow of data and how online experiences should play out. As internet technology has advanced, so too has our ability to decentralise and democratise the web, often to great advantage. Today, terms like Web3, Metaverse, Decentralisation, Democratisation, and Virtual Worlds are on everyone’s lips as we explore the possibilities of a more equitable, immersive, and fairly-distributed digital world.
Now, blockchains, dApps, NFTs and Metaverses are at the forefront of this movement, creating new spaces for us to explore, collaborate, and create in ways that were previously impossible. These digital playgrounds are not only part of the solution, but they are where like-minded thinkers unite to map out the next wave of ideas. “Web3”, “Decentralisation”, and “Metaverse” are more than just buzzwords – they’re the building blocks of a newly democratised digital world.
The Key to Decentralising & Democratising Virtual Worlds
In decentralised virtual worlds, governance is often handled by the community itself, rather than a central authority. This is done smoothly through a combination of apps like Telegram, Discord, Signal, and the use of the Decentralised Autonomous Organisation (DAO). This means that players have more say in how the world is run, from the game’s rules to the distribution of rewards. By giving players a voice, developers can create more engaging and inclusive experiences, while DAO governance motivates the players to become crucial to the evolution of the metaverses they use, through voting power and reward models.
Another key aspect of decentralisation, and one that draws in huge numbers of players, is the ability to earn real-world value from their in-game activity. With the rise of play-to-earn (P2E) mechanics, players can earn cryptocurrency or other digital assets by participating in the in-game economy. This has the potential to create more equitable and sustainable virtual economies, where players are rewarded for their contributions to the community, paving the way for digital meritocracies. It also helps to create players or users who are engaged for the long term, driving them to become champions of the game and stakeholders in its success.