Spatial News™ #006
This week we're all about social AR, fashion's metaverse mindset, and Blockchain gaming
Welcome to the sixth episode of Spatial News™, Spatialists. This week’s words of wisdom: “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Proverbs 4:23 (New International Version) In the ancient Hebrew ‘heart’ (Hebrew לֵב, lev) is not only the physical interior of the body but the seat of feelings and thoughts, of the inner life. I’ll leave that package right there without pulling at the bow myself. That’s for you, dear reader. On with the show!
The Coming Blockchain Revolution in Gaming
Image credit: Deconstructor of Fun
Ethan Levy, a crypto-sceptic turned executive producer of blockchain games, was featured in the highly recommended Deconstructor of Fun blog touting the next revolution in gaming.
“If you believe that blockchain games will ultimately become as accessible as free-to-play mobile games, it is clear that a game where you own your assets is more desirable to play than one where you do not.”
What if you don’t believe that? Well, you should really read the article first to see how he sets that point up. I believe the points he makes, including the one above, can be applied beyond gaming. (And, no, in case you’re wondering, the technically possible interoperability of assets between virtual worlds is not one of Levy’s points. Veteran game designer Raph Koster’s article on “Object Behaviors” in virtual worlds demonstrates the number of difficulties involved with this idea. I found Koster’s series of insightful articles via this PC Gamer article on the metaverse. Enter at your own risk.)
As a thought experiment, how could you apply Ethan Levy’s points to your own industry? Then, if you find that you could, should you?
Running the Gaming Gauntlet
If you just threw down the gauntlet to the world and its naysayers and have decided to set up your own game company, blockchain or otherwise, you absolutely must follow Joakim Achrén’s Elite Game Developers blog. It’s chock-full of goodies for startup entrepreneurs of all stripes.
That aside aside, I want to get back to the ‘should you?’ question posed above.
Fashion and the Metaverse Mindset
Have you read McKinsey&Company’s State of Fashion 2022 yet? If fashion is not your bag, I still suggest reading section 5 ‘Metaverse Mindset’ (pages 57-63) which discusses the potential of NFTs, gaming, and virtual fashion. The section ends with an interview of Robert Triefus, the Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of Gucci. Gucci exemplifies a luxury brand that has been exploring this potential. Referring to Gucci’s experiments with NFTs in particular, the interviewer asks,
“NFTs’ valuations skyrocketed in early 2021 but fell significantly later in the year. As a luxury brand, whose business is based on selling things that are meant to retain their value over time and be quite durable, do you have concerns about the reputational risk of being a first mover in a space like this?”
Robert Triefus: “When you test and learn, you always do that with an understanding that the learnings may move you not to proceed. Is it better to test and learn or sit on the sidelines? If you ask me, it’s better to test and learn.”
This is where Spatial8 stands with emerging technologies like XR and blockchain: whether you are a brand or a municipality, big or small, it’s better to test and learn and see whether to proceed then to wait till it’s too late and be left behind.
Social AR for Dummies
This week we introduce a new mini-column co-written by special guest Maria Nova, an up and coming star of social AR. (Check out her Instagram if you don’t believe me.)
Tip #1: “Social AR is useless on its own without a goal in mind and a promotional strategy behind it.”
There you have it, folks. You’ll have to wait till 2022 to get Tip #2, but while we’re on the topic of AR…
Create AR Gifts this Holiday Season
Here is a unique gift idea from Spatial8 ecosystem member Overly. Try your hand at creating your own no-code Augmented Reality experience. I guarantee you it’s a better gift than a third pair of knitted, woollen socks or a mug with your mug on it.
This is the final newsletter of 2021. Spatial News™’ new year’s resolution is to bring you fun, helpful, thought-provoking content - all beef (or veggie burger), no spam. As always, feedback is welcome and appreciated to help us achieve our goal. Thank you for reading, and, remember, we are spatial (and not like the royal ‘we’ but all of us)!
P.S. Don’t forget to take our Future Technologies Usage Survey 2021 for a chance to get some random NFTs!