Starting your journey in virtual worlds can be pretty confusing. There are several terms you might not understand. Moreover, gaming newbies might find it hard to select a suitable play-to-earn game. While there are online resources to guide new players, there is a need for a general masterpiece. Accordingly, this virtual world guide summarizes how players can get started with most play-to-earn and metaverse games.
Acquire knowledge about virtual worlds
Information and research are essential before making decisions in the general blockchain industry. A lack of correct information about a blockchain sector can lead to wrongly investment choices. Therefore, the first step for potential metaverse players is to get the proper knowledge.
Blockchain gaming is extensive. The sector includes play-to-earn, metaverse platforms, non-fungible tokens, etc. Click the link on those terms to learn more if you don’t understand what they mean.
Most crypto projects have whitepapers that explain what the team is building. Meanwhile, projects also update their whitepapers periodically to state their plans. You can access the whitepaper of credible blockchain games on Coinmarketcap. Similarly, most projects don’t hesitate to provide their document on their website or medium page.
Before settling for any virtual worlds game, players must read and understand their whitepaper. Trends change quickly in the blockchain space. Accordingly, understanding the core of whatever a virtual world offers will help players flow with their development. On the other hand, jumping blindly into any metaverse game could be devastating. If such a game is not sustainable, it could waste time, effort, and financial investment.
Create a non-custodial wallet
There are two major crypto wallets: custodial and non-custodial wallets. A custodial wallet is a centralized wallet that does not provide users with direct access to their crypto assets. Crypto exchanges and lending platforms are examples of custodial wallets. While they ensure users’ safety through KYC verification, crypto exchanges are susceptible to malicious hacks.
On the other hand, a non-custodial crypto wallet is decentralized and private. Generally, each non-custodial wallet has a unique set of mnemonic seed phrases. The seed phrase provides universal access to all assets in the wallet. Non-custodial crypto wallets are either hardware (e.g., Ledger wallet) or software (e.g., Metamask).
This article will focus on non-custodial wallets and why metaverse players need them. First, you need to write out your seed phrase and keep it safe. Afterwards, check to confirm that your non-custodial wallet supports the blockchain network of the virtual world. For example, Trustwallet might not support all blockchain networks. However, Metamask users can use any network by configuring the blockchain’s credentials with their wallets.
Virtual worlds and metaverse games are decentralized web 3.0 applications. So, they can only work with the decentralized interface of non-custodial wallets. In most cases, players have to connect their wallets to the application. The connection will allow you to use your cryptocurrencies and NFTs within the game. Additionally, tokens and collectables you win will be sent directly to your wallet.
Get a suitable device for virtual world games
Virtual worlds are high-resolution 3D games. Consequently, they require some device of specific resolutions if users are to enjoy the game. Players might prefer to play games on some particular device. However, some metaverse games are accessible even on your android or IOS phone. TownStar, a play-to-earn virtual world by Gala Games, is fully accessible on your mobile browser. Meanwhile, players should ensure that their memory capacity is 4GB RAM.
Decentraland and The Sandbox are two of the popular Ethereum-based metaverses. In contrast to TownStar, these two play-to-earn games are not accessible on mobile phones. Players need a MacBook or a personal computer with 4GB RAM and a quad-core processor. In addition, you need an up-to-date Chrome or Firefox browser and a MetaMask wallet.
Internet speed is also an essential factor. Players need a browsing speed of up to 10MB/s. Not meeting these requirements might hinder players from the best metaverse experience.
Away from The Sandbox, some metaverse platforms offer the best of their gameplay on virtual reality headsets. An example is Somnium Space, a blockchain-based virtual reality world. The game is available on multiple VR providers, including Oculus, STEAM and VIVE. Players need to download the Somnium Space VR Client app and connect with their headset. While the project provides a web version of their virtual world, players will find the VR version more immersive.
Know every detail of the virtual world
Earlier in this virtual world guide, we stated the need for players to do some research. While reading a project’s whitepaper, players must understand the game’s economic structure. Learn about the game’s business model. Namely, check if the virtual world is free-to-play or if you have to buy an NFT before you gain full access.
Free-to-play games allow players to perform major in-game activities without purchasing any underlying asset. Some free-to-play virtual worlds offer tokenized rewards to players who win quests or regular competitions. Nevertheless, blockchain games always have a way of favouring players who invest in their NFTs.
For instance, players can navigate The Sandbox metaverse as ordinary avatars. Also, Sandbox organizes contests and Alpha quests periodically. However, most in-game earnings come from utilizing your real estate property. Hence, users strive to own lands within the game.
Not all blockchain games are free-to-play. Players need a team of three axies before entering the Axie Infinity’s game arena. Axies are cute monsters in the form of NFTs available on Axie Infinity’s marketplace and secondary marketplaces.
In addition, players should know the geography of the metaverse platforms. Projects always provide this information in their whitepapers. On the other hand, some projects offer a map to preview their virtual world on their website.
Get started with gameplay
Now you have everything in place. You know the metaverse game to go for and have your non-custodial wallet in place. Your PC is also set, and you have the required NFTs to join other players and explore the persistent world of virtual reality.
Following this simple virtual world guide will make it easy for anyone to begin their journey into the metaverse.
