Photo courtesy of Man City.
With over three billion active gamers globally and a 32% increase in players in only seven years, it's undeniable that esports has a massive influence on both young and old audiences. Likewise, the metaverse has begun to gain significant popularity, boasting over four hundred million users at any given time. Due to their inherent similarities and large bases, it's clear that esports and the metaverse are on a collision course that promises to revolutionize the gaming industry. Esports will undoubtedly play a vital role in the metaverse, providing a platform for competitive gaming that transcends physical boundaries. Gamers in the metaverse will be able to participate in virtual tournaments, watch matches live in immersive 3D environments, and create their own custom games and competitions, bringing people together from all over the world and fostering new communities. It's essential that we recognize the significance of esports in the metaverse and continue to invest in this rapidly growing industry.
The Difference Between E-Sports Gaming And The Metaverse
To fully grasp the Metaverse's impact on the e-sports industry, it's essential first to understand their differences. E-sports gaming focuses on user interactions utilizing a digital component that generates visual feedback. It uses an online platform to connect users to other gamers, where they can choose to interact with each other. The Metaverse is a virtual ecosystem integrating immersive technologies like Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality through cutting-edge technologies like the Blockchain, artificial intelligence, and Web 3.
How The Metaverse Can Transform E-Sports
While gaming provides an interactive user experience, it is currently limited to sitting behind a computer and viewing the world on a screen. With the Metaverse, gamers can actually enter the worlds they create, taking the experience to a whole new level. Take, for example, Fortnight, Roblox, or Minecraft, which already integrate a Metaverse-like UX, allowing the player to interact with others or create their own world. Imagine being able to enter that world, and experience the physical sensations of your creations, talking to other users face to face, and connecting on a deeper level than you ever thought possible.
Not only would this create a 3D environment where users can interact as if they were in the "real world," it presents unique financial opportunities through digital assets. The concept of owning digital products isn't new; gamers can purchase skins and equipment already on some of the most popular platforms. The Metaverse takes it even further, creating the ability for users to buy digital merchandise and receive physical copies, an intriguing concept already used in the fashion industry.
It also allows users to acquire digital assets with real-world value, like NFTs and cryptocurrency, a concept known as play-to-earn, which could lead to massive growth for some of the most popular gaming platforms and pave the way for new and exciting ones in the future. Another interesting concept emerging is move-to-earn, where tracking technology monitors players' real-world movements and rewards them. Games already incorporating this technology include:
- Step
- Sweatcoin
- Metagym
- Genopets
- STEPN
The integration of the metaverse into esports is opening up a world of possibilities for gamers and sports fans alike. The announcement last year by Manchester City Football Club to create a metaverse stadium is a prime example of the potential of this new technology. Their metaverse stadium will allow fans to experience the excitement of a live match in a completely new way, offering an immersive and interactive experience that goes beyond traditional viewing methods.
Moreover, the integration of the metaverse into esports means that gamers will have more control and a stronger voice than ever before. With the ability to participate in virtual tournaments, watch matches live in immersive 3D environments, and create their own custom games and competitions, the metaverse provides gamers with a platform to express their creativity and compete on a global scale. Through monetization and integration, gamers can potentially earn real-world value through in-game assets, creating a new economic paradigm for the industry.
As the metaverse continues to evolve, the possibilities are truly limitless. From virtual stadiums to immersive competitions and new monetization strategies, the metaverse is set to revolutionize the gaming industry in a profound way. The future is indeed bright for gamers in the metaverse, as this technology promises to create new opportunities, communities, and experiences that were previously impossible. It is exciting to see the potential of the metaverse unfold and to witness the transformation of the gaming industry as we know it.
Upright City FC.