While interest in the metaverse seems to be slowing down, a pioneer in the space is still hard at work, advocating the open metaverse, a decentralized and interoperable multiverse.
In an interview with Cointelegraph Brasil, Sebastien Borget, founder of the open-world blockchain game The Sandbox, shared some of his thoughts and expertise when it comes to Web3 and the state of the metaverse.
According to Borget, the metaverse is a gateway to new experiences limited only by what users can think of. He explained:
“Web 3.0 and the metaverse are enabling each of us to become an explorer of our human imagination, inventing new parallel universes where we can choose the experiences we want to live.”
The Sandbox founder also mentions that the metaverse has already started to influence the way people “socialize, form economic relationships, and gather in communities.” He believes that within a decade, there will be more developments in the space.
“We envision that within the next 10 years, the metaverse will have transformed profoundly how we’re thinking about the way we’ll be working, socializing, playing and earning through the economic opportunities and jobs it is creating.”
Borget believes that the role of platforms must be to ensure that the process of creation is fun and rewarding and that listening to what users want should be the priority. “We’ve brought this ecosystem into being, but experiences and assets that players make and share are what drives it,” said Borget.
Apart from these, the governance of the metaverse must be transferred over to the users, according to Borget. This will be done through a decentralized autonomous organization launch with voting mechanisms.
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The Sandbox is offering a decentralized metaverse. Borget explained that this means that its users are not locked within its platform. “It’s important to us that the content you own or create in The Sandbox can be transferred to other open metaverses, and vice versa,” he said. Borget also stressed that decentralization is the way forward, rather than being stuck in a Web2 “microverse,” where content ownership is trapped by big tech.
“We’re strongly advocating for the core of the open metaverse to be decentralization, interoperability and creator-generated content.”
When asked what’s next for The Sandbox, the founder explained that the team is building the platform step by step. “Our vision of a decentralized entertainment metaverse where everyone can play, create, and be rewarded for their time through play-to-earn is resonating strongly. Step by step, we’re building out the ecosystem to realize the potential The Sandbox offers to players, creators and partners,” said Borget.
Apart from this, the founder explained that up next is enabling creators to build and share experiences within their lands. Borget said that people can expect more original content generated by the community going forward.
The Sandbox executive also underscored that despite nations such as the United States, China and Turkey announcing metaverse strategies, these parties would be unable to control the metaverse. “This diversity of ownership means that no single party can control the metaverse,” he said.
Borget also mentioned that The Sandbox also aims to make gaming more equitable. The founder said that they “especially want to make The Sandbox a welcoming place for women as creators and players.” This can potentially also bring more women to Web3.
“We support creator efforts to build inclusive worlds that can inspire players to see beyond the external differences while still appreciating them.”