There is still a sense of mysticism around the Metaverse. Many are still unsure what it is, what it’s for, and whether Mark Zuckerberg is the overlord of it.

Even so, the phrase “Virtual Worlds” is also a common word amongst Web3 enthusiasts and also those who are sceptical of it. The metaverse came from the term and has since become a buzzword both online and offline.

Read our guide on Virtual Worlds to learn more about them in 2023 and what the top Virtual World experiences are.

virtual world games

© Futura sciences

What are virtual world games?

While the term is becoming more popular lately, with the rise of not only virtual reality gaming but also Non-Fungible tokens(NFTs), virtual world games have been around for quite a long time. A virtual world is technically any world or universe in a multiplayer game where players can jump into and interact with each other, when people use the term virtual world of METAVERSE today, they usually think of a 3D universe (game) where they can socialize with other people and also utilize their NFT collections in some kind of manner.

With that said, yes, Sims, World of Warcraft, Final Fantasy XIV are technically virtual worlds, but that is not really the virtual worlds meaning that people are implying when they mention that term today (unless those games expand into the NFT marketplace and blockchain technology). One of the best examples for a METAVERS is the one that people can use with the Oculus Quest 2(or now known as Meta Quest 2).

There, you can use an avatar in order to interact with other people, and you can create your virtual office or your whole home. You can do all kinds of activities within the virtual world too, such as finishing your work on the virtual desktop, or playing some other games within virtual games.

Second Life History Lesson

One of the most popular virtual worlds, even today, is the Second Life game, which is a virtual world created by Linden Labs all the way back in 2003. It was quite a unique and interesting concept at the time, and even if the graphics were not amazing at all, it attracted a huge number of people.

In this game, you control an avatar, and everything within the game, is just like real life, which makes the game very fitting, does it not? In order to be successful in the virtual world, you would have to purchase your own clothes and properties with real money, which made your avatar’s status reflect your real-life status in a way. Even today, a lot of people still play this virtual world game, and the new virtual worlds still use some core principles from that game in theirs.

second life

© Second Life

What are virtual blockchain worlds?

With cryptocurrencies being somewhat of a standard today, it is no wonder that virtual worlds that are being created are being associated with the blockchain. What does this do for those virtual worlds? Well, for starters, when virtual worlds are connected to the blockchain, aka. the virtual blockchain worlds (vbws), that means that those crypto games usually have an option to support NFTs.

If you are not sure what NFTs are, you can check out our NFT explained section, but in general, they are unique cryptographic parts on the blockchain. NFTs are usually represented in some kind of item form depending on where they are portrayed. For example, in an NFT card game, an NFT would represent a card with unique stats and effects, while in an NFT fighting game, it would represent a character that you can control and fight with.

NFT stocks in virtual worlds can be all kinds of items, a whole house can technically be an NFT if the game’s rules would allow it to be so. The main reason why VBWs are getting so much attention, and what makes them unique, is that they are technically embracing the Second Life idea, but expanding it into something much bigger.

You might be surprised, but while the NFT craze and cryptocurrency popularity started being insanely popular during 2021, all of the most popular games have been in development since either 2017 or 2018, which really puts certain things in perspective.

Decentraland

While you can find a lot more information about this game in our Decentraland review, let us quickly go over what this game is about, and how it became one of the most popular virtual world games out there. Its development started all the way back in 2017 as a founding, the project founders were Esteban Ordano and Ari Meilich.

This is a game that has a cartoon style, and it is quite unique since it does not have a main server to run it. Instead, it is run by its users as it is hosted on nodes, which is where the name Decentraland comes from. In this game, you can buy and sell land, build your own virtual home, and socialize with other players. Essentially, it is just like Second Life, but a bit more modern, and it operates on a blockchain.

Cryptovoxels

While Decentraland is not a game that takes place in virtual reality, Cryptovoxels allows its players to get fully immersed into the virtual world as it is compatible with most virtual reality devices. It was founded in 2018 by Ben Nolan.

Being a VR game, one would expect it to have hyperrealistic graphics, but this game took an interesting turn, and it uses a style that is very similar to MineCraft, which is called the Vox style. Just like in most virtual world games, you can purchase and sell land, and build your own environment while interacting with other players. You can also play this game on your phone, as it is mobile-ready.

Just like with Decentraland, you can find out everything you need about this game in our Cryptovexels review. We really enjoy this game,  and like most games, it is best experienced with friends.

Somnium Space

If you are looking for something that is similar to the popular virtual world movie Ready Player One, then this is the closest thing you can get to it. It is a virtual reality game that runs on a blockchain, and it features pretty decent graphics compared to other virtual worlds(at least at the time of writing this text). While it is available in virtual reality, you can also experience it without it, but it is somewhat of a sin not using the VR features that the developers made available to players in this fantastic virtual world.

The Sandbox

The Sandbox Virtual World game has become a staple for blockchain gamers. It offers a fun and diverse game style that opens up new doors for creativity, exploration and socialization. Players can earn rewards, stake crypto, communicate and create their own experiences all from the comfort of their own home. Furthermore, the gameplay and art style is somewhat similar to that of Web2 game Minecraft. There are hundreds of different worlds to explore on The Sandbox, all of which coming from household names and brands.

nft-crafting-sandbox

@ The Sandbox

What is the future of virtual blockchain worlds?

To be honest, in order to experience full-immersion in one of these virtual worlds that are on a blockchain list, we are still a couple of years away to be honest, as virtual reality technology is still progressing and struggling with some basic features, such as full-body tracking on a comfortable level.

However, one thing is certain, and that is that VBWs are going to be the future of not only casual gaming but also professional gaming since virtual worlds have the potential for some really fun things to happen. Some potential can actually be seen in today’s VR esports already, but once we get a completely immersive experience, where telling the virtual world from a real one is going to be difficult, that is when things are going to be on the next level of pleasure and entertainment.

Virtual Worlds are popular in gaming, but did you know they have branched out? For the first time ever, we are seeing a number of different industries and sectors delving into Virtual Worlds thanks to the advancements currently taking place in Virtual Reality.

A number of businesses and charities are utilizing Virtual Reality and Worlds to bolster their efforts and reach a broader audience. For example, Dentsu NXT Space has teamed up with Microsoft and LinkedIn to bring the business world into the Metaverse.

Their aim is to onboard businesses into the Metaverse, opening up new doors for marketing and brand awareness.

Charities have joined the Metaverse such as Wateraid to create ultra-realistic experiences to fundraise. By having the VR technology in place, the audience are able to feel like they are in settings all around the world, building social awareness around a number of issues.

The future seems bright for Virtual Worlds in gaming. Blockchain gaming is becoming more and more popular, and with that we can see technological advancements occurring at a similar pace. Who knows, at some point we may not be able to decipher real life from the Metaverse!

FAQ

How can I access a Virtual World Game?

To access a Virtual World game, you will need either a console or PC. Additionally, you will need a VR headset depending on the game. A game like Decentraland will require you to have one, whereas a game based on crypto like The Sandbox does not.
The most popular headset available currently is the Oculus Rift range from Meta. However, 2023 is the year of Virtual Reality as we have seen announcements from the likes of Google, Samsung, and Apple on their own renditions of the VR headset.

Can I make money in Virtual Worlds?

Depending on which Virtual World game you enter, you may be able to make money! Most games on the blockchain offer a “Play-To-Earn” model, opening up doors for rewards through playing the game.
Some Virtual World games in the Metaverse have already proven lucrative so far for gamers. Whether it’s through selling in-game NFT collectibles, completing challenges, staking or taking part in esports tournaments, there are multiple avenues you can take to earn within a Virtual World game.