Is the structure of Metaverse centralized or decentralized?

The Metaverse is an immersive and adaptable platform, so that when we enter different
virtual spaces it’s easy to notice they are not all the same.
One of the main distinctions is made on Metaverse’s structure, which can be either centralized or decentralized.

The Metaverse was born from the need to create a virtual space, freely accessible by users, where they can carry out all the activities they want without having to worry about the barriers caused by distance. The aim is that to give participants a new, completely immersive reality in which it is possible to build, make, learn and discover.

Previously dealt with in an article of our blog, the chain of value of the Metaverse – theorized by Jon Radoff – stands out for being composed of 7 layers, including decentralization. This concept recalls the Metaverse structure, but we must make some points clear to understand it in its wholeness.

FIRST AND FOREMOST, METAVERSE OR METAVERSES? WHO RUNS?

Even if it’s common to refer to a “single” Metaverse, bringing out the idea that this is a unique virtual space inside which there are other entities, reality is quite different: there are many Metaverses, about forty and each one independent. Clearly, everyone’s aspiration for the future is to make it possible to create a single, interoperable system of avatars and assets among the various virtual spaces, so that users will be able to move easily from one place to another.

As regards Web 2.0, we are aware that we're talking about a system governed by a few big players. The actions of users and companies within the platform are influenced by the choices, policies, and boundaries set by the rulers. On the contrary, the Metaverse is distinguished not only by its level of immersion, engaging interactions, and innovative and enabling information technologies, but also because, in its most utopian version, it would be a free platform, unencumbered by the power of a single person or company. In other words: everyone could create their own virtual space. Whether to make a single digital environment centralized or decentralized depends on the entity that governs it and, of course, the goals for which it was created. It is easy to imagine a metaverse aimed exclusively at corporate goals.

CENTRALIZED SYSTEMS VS DECENTRALIZED SYSTEMS

The key difference lies in the degree of control allowed to the community in each individual Metaverse. Users can simply log in, perform their activities and customize their avatar, or their actions can influence and affect the marketplace of the Metaverse they are in. In a centralized Metaverse, users can freely create content or games, but ownership of those games is given to the entity behind that virtual world. In the case of a decentralized Metaverse, on the other hand, the content or games created there remain the property of the creator users.

Dematerialization of physical objects, which is typical of the virtual world, makes it possible to create and sell games and content. From the exact chance for users to commercialize products or services within the Metaverse may derive an entity’s decision to make its virtual space either centralized or decentralized. Basically, this feature of the Metaverse depends both on the objective of the gestor entity and the activities that are offered to internal users. A decentralized system is to prefer if a virtual space is the scene of transactions resulting from agreements among users and a related exchange between goods and cryptocurrency. This because it is essential to collect and guard data, identities and history of the sales taking place on the platform, to grant users clear and transparent forms of purchase. As a consequence, a decentralized system appears to be unnecessary if the virtual space is the scene of activities that do not require the sale of goods or contents. In such a case it is to prefer a centralized system, where every factor is under the control of the brand.

HOW IS OUR VIRTUAL SPACE META PRESENCE® CLASSIFIED?

The virtual space of TechStar, Meta Presence®, is a centralized system. In this case, being the platform dedicated to activities such as learning, training and meeting, to keep this approach turns out to be necessary. In Meta Presence®, in fact, users log in with an avatar that can be tailorized at their convenience and, furthermore, they have the possibility to choose the environment that best suits their needs. From that moment on, they are free to follow the in-progress lessons or to interact during a meeting, visit a showroom or more simply catch up with customers and suppliers. Meta Presence® is the perfect place for companies since it supports and accompanies them to bring their business in a virtual world that is professional, centralized, analysable and manageable on the basis of all the corporate KPIs.