Chapter 7
Virtual Worlds and Metaverse
Virtual worlds and metaverse projects sell persistent land NFTs — Decentraland, The Sandbox, Otherside. Owners build experiences, host events, and speculate on location value similar to physical real estate narratives.
Proximity to high-traffic areas commands premiums, but quality UGC still varies widely. Platform success requires creator incentives and discoverability — the same challenges as traditional UGC platforms plus wallet friction.
Web3 metaverse competes with free centralized platforms that already have network effects and better UX for kids and casual users. Land as NFT works only when active players, not floor prices, define success.