Disruptive innovation often follows a gradual evolutionary pattern, building upon established foundations rather than spontaneously appearing. This is evident in the transition from Web2 to Web3, especially when considering the metaverse.
The metaverse did not emerge out of thin air; it has been developing over the years, primarily influenced by Web2 video games that offer environments resembling the concept of the metaverse more closely than any Web3 projects.
Web3’s lag in this regard is a natural part of the technological evolutionary cycle, which relies on two factors: technological evolution itself and perceptions of value.
Uber’s evolution from the taxi industry serves as a parallel example. Without taxis paving the way, Uber would not exist. Taxis introduced the idea of individuals getting into a stranger’s car and paying for transportation.
Similar to Uber, the evolution of the metaverse has a cultural aspect. In addition to the necessary infrastructure, the metaverse requires cultural adoption to truly thrive and exist.
When Facebook changed its name to Meta in 2021, there was a surge of interest in projects aiming to build the metaverse. However, at that time, most of these projects were still in their early stages, basic, and limited.
We are currently living in an intriguing moment in history. We may experience another pivotal moment for the metaverse, similar to 2021 but with significant differences.
Fortnite has shown the world that it is possible to create interoperability between different brands while making it enjoyable. However, Fortnite achieves this through commercial agreements, whereas the open metaverse would achieve it through blockchain assets.
In Fortnite, players can encounter characters from various universes, such as Naruto, Rick and Morty, Dragonball, and Star Wars, among others. Fortnite’s recent update took it a step further by integrating not only characters but also other games into its platform, fulfilling a prediction made by Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney years ago. This update showcased the possibility of merging items in the same virtual environment, which users loved.
Before Fortnite, the average user had little understanding of interoperability and couldn’t fathom such a world. Fortnite acted as a necessary link, a bridge between Web2 and Web3, helping users transition to the latter. Projects like Sandbox, Otherside, and Star Atlas now have a stronger foundation to build similar interoperability using blockchain.
Another potential catalyst we may see in 2025 is the introduction of a functioning digital economy. Rumors suggest that Grand Theft Auto 6 (GTA 6), one of the most highly anticipated games in years, may have a cryptocurrency-based economy. This would be a significant validation of the Web3-based metaverse thesis. Digital economies are familiar to Web3 users but remain abstract concepts for most people.
Web2 games and applications have also played a crucial role in shaping the concept of the open metaverse, particularly when it comes to digital identity. These games have introduced younger generations to the idea of using digital outfits as status symbols, which many now value more than real-life clothing.
Just as taxis were a bridge to Uber, Web2 games will serve as a bridge for the open metaverse to thrive. Web3 platforms alone are unlikely to create this transition because they often introduce concepts that people struggle to understand. Instead, it will be led by platforms like Fortnite, Roblox, and hopefully GTA 6, among others.
Those who invest in or work on projects aligned with this thesis are likely to emerge as winners, as will brands that seize the opportunity. The open metaverse will play a significant role in the future of marketing, human connections, and digital commerce.
Lugui Tillier is the Chief Commercial Officer of Lumx, a Web3 studio based in Rio de Janeiro, with BTG Pactual Bank, the largest investment bank in Latin America, among its investors.
Please note that this article is for general information purposes only and should not be considered legal or investment advice. The views expressed here are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Cointelegraph.