Individuals are now earning money inside virtual games. Storefronts can be rented, designed, and products created to sell. In-world monies can be exchanged for real-world dollars.
What is a Metaverse?
The term, “Metaverse” comes from the Neal Stephenson’s science-fiction novel, Snow Crash. In the book, a hyper-realistic digital world exists. People in that world can spend time doing activities they enjoy and spending their disposable income on items created in that world.
What is Virtual Gaming?
Virtual gaming can be as simple as a virtual world where avatars can chat with other members. However, it can also be as sophisticated as an environment where land, goods, and services can be bought and sold. Avatars can meet and socialize in common areas. Members can learn how to dance, hunt, fish, or shop in social malls. This type of social media is usually 3D. Avatars are created to represent the member. They can be unique and personal just like their creator.
A metaverse is designed as a communication devise. Inside the gaming reality, avatars communicate through text and voice patterns. Communication is important especially when building. Users can create and customize their in-world reality. They can purchase islands, lands, and build exotic properties or rent stores to sell wares.
The best games in virtual gaming will have the ability to access the Internet. Users want to have the ability to upload music, videos, images, sounds, and other content. Gaming should also have certain communications tools where users can communicate outside the virtual reality.
What is an In-Game Store?
When renting an in-game store, users are actually purchasing Internet storage space. The store is designed and stored inside this storage space. These storefronts are permanently attached to the user’s account. Products are created and uploaded to the store for sale. Purchases are made with in-world currency.
Products and pricing
Products are the creation of users and their creative efforts to enhance the experience of the virtual reality. These items should be things the creator would be proud to own. A side note on products: Most items which sell well are on the wild side. “Adult” items such as clothing, weapons, or counter-culture items sale best. However, a user doesn’t have to sale such products. Users need to focus on the quality of the craftsmanship of the product to ensure repeat customers. The best way to become successful is to develop strong marketing strategies.
Marketing Strategies
Users should begin by creating a unique description to hook other users into investigating the product. A quality written title and description of the product listing may make the product more memorable. Users should include a specific name of the item. Describe colors or versions of the item. Include keywords so users can easily find the product in the in-world search engine. Users should carefully add item listing fields. Items should have a SKU number, version, item status, maturity level, permissions, item title, product features, keywords, category, price, and in-world images of the product.
In-World Photography
Any product which is for sale should have an image. Many open-ended gaming stores allow images to be saved at no extra charge. The images should be bright so the picture can be seen clearly. The product should be shot at multiple angles. Image dimensions should be given in pixels. Sometimes pixels cans create jagged edges on the images. This can be avoided by enabling anti-aliasing which will smooth jagged edges.
Copyright Protection
Content creators have legitimate concerns of their intellectual property being stolen and then sold by thieves within minutes of becoming available in stores. To ensure the content creators have protection, there exist copyright infringement policies. Most virtual games have general policies which include panning the avatar and all their alternative avatars if the main avatar has been shown to infringe on copyrights. Virtual games also have script security. Source codes cannot be downloaded by unauthorized users. These source codes cannot be stolen.
What is the average amount of money users can make?
Virtual gaming isn’t just a game with fake money anymore. With the ability to exchange in-world currency for actual real-world dollars, investors have turned gaming into a profit center. In-world, there are games, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and universities. According to Linden Labs, creator of Second Life, nearly $5 million real-world dollars was exchanged between players in January 2006. That is about $38 per person. Second Life’s most famous landowner, Anshe Chung, reportedly makes more than $150,000 a year in the virtual world.
3D OpenSimulator Based Grids (Many of these virtual worlds are similar to Second Life where In-Game Stores can be rented and products created:)
- AVN (https://www.avination.com/)
- InWorldz (http://inworldz.com/)
- Kitely (http://www.kitely.com/)
- The New World Grid (http://newworldgrid.com/)
- Avatar Hangout (http://avatarhangout.com/)
- ReactionGrid (http://www.reactiongrid.com/)
- 3rd Rock Grid (http://www.3rdrockgrid.com/)
- Nexxtlife (http://www.nexxtlife.com/index.php?page=&lang=en)
- FrancoGrid (http://www.francogrid.com/)
- Your Alternative Life (http://youralternativelife.com/)
- SpotOn 3D (https://spoton3d.com/)
- German Grid (http://www.germangrid.eu/)
- Virtyou (http://virtyou.com/)
- Alpha Towne (http://web.alphatowne.com/index.cfm)
- Metropolis (http://metropolis.hypergrid.org/)
- ScienceSim (http://sciencesim.com/)
- Wilder Westen (http://www.talentraspel.com/index.php)
- Jokaydia (http://jokaydia.metaverseworlds.com/welcome)
- Craft-World (http://www.craft-world.org/)
- Virtual RP (http://www.virtual-rp.com/)
- UFS Grid (http://www.dsgrid.eu/)
- Twisted Sky (http://twistedsky.net/)
- SIM World (http://thesims.com/en_us/home)
- MyOpenGrid (http://myopengrid.com/)
- Role Play Worlds (http://roleplayworlds.net/)
- 3DMee (http://openlifegrid.com/)
- Tertiary Grid (http://tertiarygrid.com/)
- Heritage Key (http://heritage-key.com/)
Hope this helps,
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(3) comments
Underson Peters says:
March 26, 2012 at 1:45 pmIt’s just a virtual game but the best part is that you are not just getting a virtual payment but a real money on this. I am very glad to learn about this.
Jason Rivero says:
April 9, 2012 at 5:27 pmI am a person who is into games and at the same time a business minded person. I am actually looking for a job that I can enjoy the most, just like I am playing but I am getting paid. After reading this article, I became interested in opening an in-game store. Just like what Underson Peters said, it is just a virtual game but you are going to earn money…real money it is. I want to know more about this business. I hope that you are going to post related articles about this business.
Stephen Von says:
May 7, 2012 at 6:27 amI think the concept is just like with Social Network site..the only difference is, here you are represent by an avatar wherein you can command it to walk through that universe/world/virtual world.