As virtual reality (VR) gains in popularity, more and more people are looking to enter the metaverse. But with so many platforms available, it can be hard to know which one is right for you. Each platform has its own unique features and benefits, so it’s important to choose one that aligns with your specific needs and goals. To help you get started, GO Digital Marketing in Abu Dhabi had put together a list of the top metaverse platforms in 2022.

What is a Metaverse?

The Metaverse is a user-generated virtual world that combines elements of both the real and digital worlds. It’s constantly evolving and expanding, making it an incredibly popular choice for those looking to engage in virtual reality.

Understanding the Metaverse

The metaverse is a term coined by science fiction writer Neal Stephenson in his 1992 novel Snow Crash. It refers to a shared virtual space where people can interact with each other and create things together. The metaverse is not just one world but many worlds that are interconnected. Just like the real world, there are different places to explore, different activities to take part in, and different people to meet.

There are two types of metaverses: closed and open. A closed metaverse is controlled by a single company or organization (e.g., Second Life), while an open metaverse is decentralized and anyone can create their own world within it (e.g., Decentraland).

The Workings of the Metaverse

The Metaverse will be a major force in the future of technology and it is important to understand how it works. In the metaverse, people will be represented by avatars. These avatars can be anything from a simple cartoon character to a realistic human likeness. You will be able to interact with other people’s avatars as if they were real people. The metaverse will also allow you to create virtual objects and environments. These could be anything from a virtual replica of your home to an entire world that you have created from scratch.

The metaverse will be accessible through virtual reality headsets, augmented reality glasses, and even regular computers and smartphones. As technology develops, it is likely that we will spend more and more time in the metaverse. Some people believe that the metaverse will eventually become our primary reality and that the physical world will become secondary.

The Metaverse in Dubai and UAE

Dubai’s Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed has announced the launch of the “Dubai Metaverse Strategy,” an ambitious project that seeks H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council has announced the launch of the Dubai Metaverse Strategy. The strategy seeks to position Dubai as a global leader in digital innovation, and will focus on developing three key sectors – blockchain, virtual reality (VR), and augmented reality (AR). This is a major milestone for Dubai’s digital transformation journey and reflects H.H. Fazza’s commitment to place Dubai among the top 10 metaverse economies globally and the first in its region.

With this announcement, businesses in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and the whole region are gearing for the metaverse foreseeing it as a catalyst that will change the future of technology. In 2022, the metaverse will be a mainstream phenomenon, with millions of people using virtual reality platforms to connect and explore new worlds. There are many different metaverse platforms out there, each with its strengths and weaknesses. So which one is right for you? This blog post will compare the 10 most popular metaverse platforms in 2022 and help you decide which one is right for you, but before doing so, let us understand what is the metaverse and how it works.

Now that we have a basic understanding of the metaverse, let us take a look at the top metaverse platforms in 2022.

The Top 10 Metaverse Platforms in 2022

The metaverse is a thriving virtual world that offers users an immersive and engaging experience. Here are the top 10 platforms that are most popular in the metaverse today:

Decentraland 

Decentraland is an open-source platform where users can create, experience, and monetize content and applications. It is powered by the Ethereum blockchain and uses the Interplanetary File System (IPFS) for storing content. Decentraland is one of the largest metaverse platforms with over 900,000 parcels of land. It also has a strong community of developers and creators.

Pros:

• Decentralized and open-source platform
• Powered by the Ethereum blockchain
• Large community of developers and creators
• Allows users to create, experience, and monetize content and applications

Cons:

• Limited number of avatars per scene (50)
• Can be difficult to find people to interact with

Sandbox VR 

Sandbox VR is a closed metaverse platform that allows users to experience virtual reality in a social setting. It has locations in various cities around the world, including San Francisco, Los Angeles, Dubai, and Singapore. Sandbox VR offers a variety of virtual reality experiences, including multiplayer games and movies.

Pros:

• Closed metaverse platform with multiple locations worldwide
• Offers a variety of virtual reality experiences
• Social setting with avatars

Cons:

• Expensive ($20-$40 per person per hour)
• Requires special equipment (VR headset and controllers)

Roblox 

Roblox is a metaverse platform that enables users to create their own games and play games created by others. It has over 150 million monthly active users and is popular with children and teenagers. Roblox does not have its own virtual currency but uses real-world currency for in-game purchases.

Pros:

• Over 150 million monthly active users
• Popular with children and teenagers
• Allows users to create their own games and play games created by others
• Uses real-world currency for in-game purchases

Cons:

• Some of the games are poorly made
• Tend to be more focused on younger age groups

SpatialOS 

SpatialOS is an open-source metaverse platform that enables developers to create persistent virtual worlds. It is used by various companies and organizations, such as Google, Improbable, and Unity Technologies. SpatialOS has been used to create a variety of virtual worlds, including games, simulations, and training environments.

Pros:

• Open-source metaverse platform
• Used by major companies and organizations
• Enables developers to create persistent virtual worlds
• A flexible platform that can be used for a variety of purposes

Cons:

• The complicated interface can be difficult to use
• A limited number of avatars per scene (100)
• High system requirements

Over the Reality 

Over the Reality (OTR) is a metaverse platform that allows users to create and share virtual reality experiences. It is available on Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, and Windows Mixed Reality headsets. OTR offers a variety of experiences, including games, social VR, and 360-degree videos.

Pros:

• Available on multiple VR headsets
• Allows users to create and share virtual reality experiences
• Offers a variety of experiences, including games, social VR, and 360-degree videos

Cons:

• Small community of users and developers
• Difficult to find people to interact with
• High system requirements

Upland 

Upland is a metaverse platform that allows users to buy, trade, and collect virtual properties. It is available on web browsers, iOS, and Android devices. Upland uses the ERC-1155 token standard and offers a variety of experiences, including games, social interactions, and betting.

Pros:

• Available on multiple platforms
• Uses the ERC-1155 token standard
• Offers a variety of experiences, including games, social interactions, and betting

Cons:

• Some of the properties are overpriced
• The game can be repetitive

Second Life 

Second Life is one of the oldest metaverse platforms, having been launched in 2003. It is a closed metaverse platform controlled by Linden Lab. Second Life has over 20 million users and is one of the most popular metaverse platforms.

Pros:

• One of the oldest and most popular metaverse platforms
• Over 20 million users
• Allows users to create their own content and experiences
• Strong economy with its own currency (Linden Dollars)

Cons:

• Closed metaverse platform controlled by Linden Lab
• Limited number of avatars per scene (30)
• Some areas can be difficult to navigate

High Fidelity 

High Fidelity is an open-source metaverse platform that was launched in 2013. It is similar to Second Life but with a focus on high-quality graphics and audio. High Fidelity has a small but active community of users and developers.

Pros:

• Open source metaverse platform
• Focus on high-quality graphics and audio
• Small but active community

Cons:

• Limited number of avatars per scene (15)
• Can be difficult to find people to interact with

Battle Infinity 

Battle Infinity is a metaverse platform that combines augmented reality and virtual reality. It is available on iOS, Android, and Windows devices. Battle Infinity offers a variety of experiences, including games, social interactions, and betting.

Pros:

• Combines augmented reality and virtual reality
• Available on multiple platforms
• Offers a variety of experiences, including games, social interactions, and betting

Cons:

• The game can be repetitive
• High system requirements

Illuvium 

Illuvium is a metaverse platform that allows users to create and share virtual reality experiences. It is available on Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, and Windows Mixed Reality headsets. Illuvium offers a variety of experiences, including games, social VR, and 360-degree videos.

Pros:

• Available on multiple VR headsets
• Allows users to create and share virtual reality experiences
• Offers a variety of experiences, including games, social VR, and 360-degree videos

Cons:

• Small community of users and developers
• Difficult to find people to interact with

Conclusion

The jury is still out on the metaverse, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get ahead of the curve. If you think your business could benefit from a virtual world presence—or if you just want to be prepared in case it takes off—hire a metaverse agency today. 

So, whether you are looking to invest in a metaverse platform or are simply curious about the technology, this guide has hopefully provided you with all the information you need. And if you’re still undecided on which platform to choose, don’t worry – we can help with that too.

At GO Digital Marketing, we are proud to offer our clients a range of services encompassing all aspects of metaverse development and implementation.