As the metaverse keeps expanding, one thing that has captured my attention more and more is what makes people come together?
What makes individuals leave their homes to go and connect with others?
And more importantly, can those reasons be offered to people in the metaverse?
I recently built my place in the metaverse thanks to the open metaverse Spatial.io, which helps creators and brands build their own spaces.
One great thing about building your place with Spatial.io is that you can customize and update it as you wish. For example, in my space, I was able to add a banner to promote my website and also showcase some of my NFT’s. And if I want to change something about my place, I can upload an updated 3D model with the new artwork. You can view my space here.
For my place in this metaverse, I created a soccer field because, for me, it represents a reason to connect. I recall that one of the reasons I would go and meet up with friends was because of soccer. We would practice once or twice a week and play games on the weekend. Essentially, the soccer field was the space where we connected.
I hope that by building spaces with a reason to connect can motivate people to come and meet each other in the metaverse.
Additionally, when it comes to building spaces for people in the metaverse, it is essential to add a sense of familiarity that can help visitors understand its purpose. Is it a place to interact with others? Or to explore or learn? In other words, when someone enters the metaverse, they should understand what they will do in that space.
For example, if I go to a movie theater, I know I can connect and mingle with people in the lobby area. However, once I enter a movie room I know I have to take a seat to watch the movie. Basically the room and space tell me what I can do within it.
That is not to say that one should not add abstract and experimental features to metaverse environments. However, at the same time, one should add familiar elements such as spaces and objects people recognize. Because that familiarity, and the past relationships people have with those spaces and objects, can drive people to understand and explore the metaverse more.
What are the reasons you meet up with your friends? And what do those spaces look like?