The metaverse is still as intangible as a real-world virtual object, expert opinions range from overhyped bubble hype to the quintessential digital future trend. The idea is now increasingly well known, at the latest thanks to the renaming of Facebook to Meta and the company’s corresponding plans. The metaverse is intended to unite the virtual and physical world using appropriate augmented and virtual reality devices. Users should be able to work there with an avatar they have created themselves, meet friends, shop and experience events, among others.
Metaverse plans from Amazon, Apple, Google, Meta and Microsoft
Vendors could make money in the Metaverse with games, advertising, e-commerce, e-learning, and e-health, among others – or with cryptocurrencies from payment methods. The first companies are already working more or less secretly on business models related to the Metaverse: According to finanzen.net, Amazon is looking for game developers, Google and Apple are each developing augmented reality headsets and Microsoft wants to set up team meetings digital images with avatars with his Mesh project. Meta also launched a beta version of a digital meeting room with Horizon Workrooms.
ibusiness presents other possible business models.
Game and Advertising in the Metaverse
Online games like Fortnite could serve as a model for business models in the Metaverse. Not only could there be special game offers in the Metaverse, but advertising companies could integrate their products and brands into these games. Example: In Fortnite, the real Ferrari 296 GTB model crosses the game world.
In the Roblox game platform, users can create their own computer games and play them with other users. For example, the sneaker manufacturer Vans offers a virtual skate park there – such offers would also be attractive in the Metaverse.
Metaverse Commerce: Virtual Goods and Lots
Of course, trading with everyday virtual products would also be possible – is e-commerce becoming metaverse commerce? The palette ranges from the already mentioned virtual lands, to outfitting one’s own avatar, to fan articles and branded merchandise in the company’s own merchandise stores. Some brands like Ralph Lauren or Nike are already represented on existing platforms, the American football league NFL has a permanent official fan shop for merchandise on Roblox.
Virtual banking and financial services
There are also models of possible forms of payment and currencies in the Metaverse: the American bank JP Morgan, for example, has its own branch in the 3D platform Decentraland, which was launched in 2020. Platform users can buy virtual properties with so-called non-fungible tokens – digital certificates of authenticity. Cryptocurrency could also be used as a means of payment in the metaverse.
Metavers: hype or future?
“Technology groups in particular are currently investing heavily in the development of the Metaverse, because platform operators can also create profitable business models here,” explains Professor Sabine Baumann from the Jade University of Applied Sciences in Wilhelmshaven on idw-online. of. She is an expert in digital business models and sees potential for the metaverse – if it offers clear added value over real-world applications.
Although projects similar to Second Life have so far failed, several generations are now familiar with the virtual worlds of computer games, which themselves are essentially metaverses. “Tech companies are positioning themselves to claim rights in the metaverse, gold rush sentiment is spreading. Considerable challenges still lie in the technologies, but it’s also not yet clear how successful business models can be designed in the metaverse.