The NFT space is so vast that it can be daunting.
To help you navigate better, I created an overview of the General NFT / Metaverse vertical and sorted them into their respective layers & groups.
I also explained them in layman terms for you.
A thread 🧵
1a: BlockChain / Asset Layer
The complicated but secure ver. of an Excel sheet that functions as a database that records data of all assets (type & rules), transactions and balances.
It's the backbone that enables the Web 3 economy to operate.
1b: Metaverse Substrate
The foundation Metaverses are built upon.
Imagine being in a fantasy world, where you get to own land and create experiences (or explore those created by others), interact with people and engage in different activities.
Think of them as different Minecraft servers w/ their own rules, graphic styles, economies and freedom to create different mini-games in each server.
These "servers/worlds" now exists as silos and there's no good way to travel between them. Hopefully someone can change this!
1c: Interoperable Layer
These are like writing prompts where some premise is set but you are free to expand and craft stories of your own.
Similar to how Spiderman's character can exist in multiple universes and each lead a different life, face different enemies etc..
1d: Identity Layer / Others
They are like the underlying protocols/hardware that supports the content you consume on the internet
For e.g, browser cookies, flash player, APIs, GPUs, coding languages
2a: Games
Imagine playing RuneScape, World of Warcraft or Pokemon - except you own the in-game assets and could even earn money from playing.
That's the beauty of Web 3 games powered by NFTs & Blockchain.
The difference between Games and Metaverse Substrate is degree of freedom.
In the former, players have limited freedom & CONSUME content intended by the developers
Conversely, players in Substrates have (almost) unrestricted freedom and can PRODUCE content on top of consuming.
In fact, Games could even be built within one of the Substrates!
But the inverse is not possible.
2b: Social / Gallery
These are platforms for communication and or displaying your online assets (NFTs).
Think of them as the Web 3 version of VRChat, Habbo Hotel or Instagram for NFTs
2c: Commerce
Just like how the internet revolutionized our shopping experience, the metaverse is going to do the same too.
These protocols acts as the bridge between the digital and physical world and serves the evolving needs of Web 3 customers.
Currently, this vertical is the most underserved and I'll be working on a deep dive in this segment.
If you're working on the anything related to Commerce, please dm me!
3a: Marketplaces / Platforms
These are basically the Amazons and eBays of the NFT / Metaverse space where buying & selling of NFTs take place.
Some facilitate all things NFTs, some serve a niche and some aggregates all the different platforms into 1.
3b: Guilds / DAO Infrastructure
IRL, companies/unions coordinate & provide their community with guidance and resources needed to excel in the industry
They can even influence the industry's development.
Guilds are such organizations to gamers and Web 3 game industry.
3c: Discovery / Publisher
Steam is a distribution platform where game studios publish their work and gamers discover new games.
These protocols are the Web 3 equivalent of Steam.
3d: DeFi Rails
IRL, Real estate are illiquid assets but you can use them as loan collateral with banks if you need liquidity.
These protocols are like the banks - they provide financial services for the typically illiquid NFTs.
That's all I have on the general NFT / Metaverse landscape! I hope it has been useful in helping you understand the space and existing projects.
There are 2 more verticals I have yet to cover - Music & Fashion NFTs which I am currently working on!
I have no doubt that the metaverse is the future and want to help shape it.
If you're developing anything NFT / Metaverse - from any of the verticals (games, commerce, music or fashion) & layers, please reach out to me. I'd love to contribute.
See you in the new world 🌐
@mrjasonchoi @theBlockcrunch @Darrenlautf @TheSpartanGroup @richardchen39 @1confirmation @arca @ArcaChemist @DeezeFi @animocabrands @punk6529 @calchulus @Arthur_0x @MapleLeafCap @CozomoMedici
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