Navigating the Metaverse

CATHY HACKL is a globally renowned tech futurist and executive with extensive experience working with HTC VIVE, Magic Leap, and Amazon Web Services. She is the CEO of the Futures Intelligence Group.
 
DIRK LUETH is a serial entrepreneur and early adopter of blockchain technology as the co-founder and co-CEO of Upland. He has also co-founded European and US-based companies in the fintech and digital media spaces, including Financial Times Deutschland and Forbatec.
 
TOMMASO DI BARTOLO is a serial entrepreneur with two successful exits under his belt. He is a faculty member at UC Berkeley where he lectures about entrepreneurship and innovation. He is the author of How to Growth Hack Your Startup.
 
JOHN ARKONTAKY is a content creator and strategist. He has covered the technology industry as a writer, editor, and journalist. He works alongside industry leaders, managing thought leadership programs for leading tech companies.

Jump into the metaverse to connect with consumers and explore endless opportunities
 
Like the Internet before it, the metaverse is a virtual space bringing people, companies, and products together in both digital and real environments to create new economic opportunities. The groundwork is already laid. People and organizations jumping in are gaining invaluable experience, meeting customers, developing revenue streams, and even shaping metaverse culture.
 
In Navigating the Metaverse: A Guide to Limitless Business Possibilities in a Web 3.0 World, a team of Silicon Valley thought leaders delivers a groundbreaking discussion of how to find the right opportunities in this fast-moving universe. You'll explore everything from the metaverse basics, to strategy, to launching your first metaverse project. In the book, you'll find:
* Data and market analysis to erase any doubt that the metaverse is the next big thing.
* Foundational knowledge about the metaverse, metaverse economy, Web3 technology, and more.
* The essential connection between metaverse environments, businesses, community, and digital products that make the metaverse economy so powerful.
* A deep dive on non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and how to make the most of these assets.
* Frameworks to help find, nurture, measure, and capitalize on innovation in the metaverse.
 
An essential breakdown of the next stage in online business, Navigating the Metaverse belongs in the libraries of entrepreneurs, executives, and innovators looking to lead in the new age of online business and commerce.

Foreword by Yat Siu, Chairman of the Board, Animoca Brands ix
 
Introduction xi
 
Why Should Businesses Care About the Metaverse Economy? xiii
 
Who Should Read This Book xvi
 
How We Structured the Book xvii
 
Part I Getting to Know the Metaverse and Metaverse Economy 1
 
Chapter 1 A Primer on the Metaverse 3
 
Terminology 4
 
What Is the Metaverse? 8
 
Putting the Metaverse in Historical Context 15
 
A Universe in the Palm of Your Hand 17
 
Interoperability Is Key to the Metaverse's Future 18
 
Chapter 2 What Is the Metaverse Economy? 25
 
How Does Currency Work in the Metaverse? 29
 
Entering and Advancing in the Metaverse 31
 
Tokenomics 35
 
The Rise of Community Commerce 43
 
Power to the Player: Decentralized Governance 45
 
Four Key NFT Distribution Channels 46
 
NFT-Based Metaverse Revenue Model 49
 
Extra Guidance from the Authors 62
 
Part II Building a Strategy for the Metaverse Economy 65
 
Chapter 3 Building a Business Case for the Metaverse 67
 
Business Challenges 67
 
Is the Metaverse a Blip or a Trend? 72
 
The NFT Market Statistics 72
 
Key Value Propositions of the Metaverse Economy for Brands 75
 
Timing Is Everything 81
 
Crossing the Chasm of Metaverse Adoption 83
 
The Business Impact of Web 3.0 Technology 84
 
Extra Guidance from the Authors 88
 
Chapter 4 Meet the Metaverse Consumers 91
 
Demographics 91
 
The Three Flavors of User Engagement 96
 
Metaverse Mindsets 100
 
Importance of Avatars to the Metaverse and Digital Identity 110
 
Extra Guidance from the Authors 113
 
Chapter 5 New Business Opportunities in the Metaverse 115
 
Metaverse Business and Job Concepts 116
 
Metaverse Metrics 124
 
Extra Guidance from the Authors 129
 
Chapter 6 Key Segments of NFT Commercialization 131
 
Marketplaces 132
 
(Fan) Token Offerings 136
 
Fantasy Games and Collectibles 138
 
Metaverse dApps 140
 
Other Avenues to Explore 146
 
Extra Guidance from the Authors 151
 
Part III Metaverse Product Development, Action Framework, and Future Perspectives 153
 
Chapter 7 NFT Deep Dive 155
 
What Is an NFT? 156
 
Types of NFTs 157
 
How Do NFTs Fit in the Metaverse Economy? 158
 
Key Considerations for NFT Design and Purpose 165
 
Extra Guidance from the Authors 180
 
Chapter 8 Putting Together an Action Plan 183
 
Discover 185
 
Learn 186
 
Build a Case 188
 
Connect to the Community 190
 
Get IP into the Metaverse 192
 
Prepare for Tomorrow 194
 
Extra Guidance from the Authors 195
 
Chapter 9 Perspectives on Tomorrow's Metaverse 197
 
Grow with the Community 197
 
Plug into the Technology Trifecta 199
 
Experience Is King 201
 
Make the Right Play in the Economy 204
 
Final Guidance from the Authors 220
 
Go Boldly 223
 
About Upland 225
 
References 227
 
Acknowledgments 233
 
About the Authors 237
 
Index 241