When Facebook rebranded itself as Meta, the term “metaverse” took the tech and crypto space by storm — putting a spotlight on the top metaverse projects and igniting new initiatives.
Take a look at some of the most promising metaverse projects in development to find out which immersive digital space to step into.
What is a metaverse project?
The metaverse is a network of highly immersive, 3D virtualized worlds focused on social interaction, where users gather and engage in activities through their avatars, such as playing games, attending a concert or even working.
Simply put, the metaverse is a virtual realm that parallels our real lives, in which almost anything is possible.
At its current stage of development, many metaverse aspects remain abstract. However, some components, such as blockchain technologies, cryptocurrencies and nonfungible tokens (NFTs) are already playing a foundational role in shaping its internal infrastructure and economy.
Types of Metaverse projects
Metaverse projects are fulfilling early-stage goals, including building mainstream online activities — gaming, online communities and commerce — on top of Web3 technologies. Metaverse projects can be broadly classified based on their strategy and technology:
Blockchain-based metaverses
The version of the metaverse that took the crypto space by storm are platforms such as Decentraland and The Sandbox, which strive to inject real-world value into their virtual worlds through blockchain, NFTs and decentralized financial technologies.
Collaborative virtual environments
The second group, such as Facebook, Fortnite and Roblox, use the term metaverse to refer to virtual worlds more generally, which is simply a massive interconnected virtual space where people can meet up for business or recreation.
These projects may not necessarily utilize Web3 technologies at the moment, but they may eventually move towards the direction of the blockchain metaverses with an increased preference for decentralization.
Metaverse project characteristics
While this computer-generated space is still in development, some of the key characteristics that we can expect in a complete ecosystem that replicates real life includes:
Decentralized, community-driven virtual metaverse where players can build, own and monetize their gaming experiences.
Status: Alpha live Expected release date: TBA Genre: Open world, mini games, metaverse Developer: Pixowl Inc, Animoca Brands Supported platform(s): Web
Blockchain: Token: SAND
Decentraland
A 3D virtual world platform allowing users to create, experience and monetize their content and applications.
Status: Live Genre: Open world, mini games, virtual reality Developer: Ari Meilich and Esteban Ordano Supported platform(s): Web
Blockchain: Token: MANA
Somnium Space
An immersive, blockchain-based VR world offering communication, e-commerce and entertainment. Users can purchase digital land, build homes, participate in hyperrealistic experiences and more.
Status: Live Genre: Open world, virtual reality, virtual world Developer: Somnium Space LTD Supported platform(s): Windows, Oculus, VIVE, Steam
Blockchain: Token: CUBE
Bloktopia
A VR-powered 21-level mega skyscraper that acts as a central hub for users to socialize, own businesses, play games and more.
Status: Development Genre: Building, virtual world Developer: Bloktopia Supported platform(s): Web
Blockchain(s): Token: BLOK
Upland
Buy, sell and trade virtual properties mapped to real-world addresses on Earth’s metaverse. Users can own businesses, play and connect with other Uplanders.
Status: Live Genre: Building, open world, virtual world Developer: Uplandme, Inc Supported platform(s): iOS, Android, web
Blockchain(s): Token: UPX
NetVRk
A metaverse equipped with powerful creation tools and infrastructure for users to create, share, experience and monetize creation easily. Explore games, education content and virtual workspaces.
Status: Development Expected release date: TBA (early access live) Genre: Open world, virtual reality Developer: Xmod Supported platform(s): Android, Windows, Oculus, HIVE, web
Blockchain: Token: NTVRK
ERTHA
Own real estate, develop land, build companies and expand your global influence in this futuristic metaverse NFT game.
Status: Presale Expected release date: Q2 2022 Genre: Action, building, open world Developer: ERTHA, URAGA Supported platform(s): Web
Blockchain: Token: ERTHA
Polka City
A 3D and AR-powered NFT multichain platform game. Earn profits by owning virtual city assets, such as taxis, gas stations and services.
Status: Development Expected release date: TBA Genre: Augmented reality, DeFi Developer: Polka City Supported platform(s): Windows, Mac, web
Blockchain(s): Token: POLC
Wilder World
A community focused 5D platform that houses games and NFT-based projects. Users can buy properties and cars in Wiami — a Miami-inspired virtual city.
Status: Development Expected release date: TBA Genre: Open world, collectible, racing Developer: Frank Wilder Supported platform(s): Web
Blockchain(s): Token: WILD
RFOX
A massive virtual space focused on providing fully-immersive retail experience alongside elements from gaming, media and digital finance.
Status: Development Expected release date: TBA Genre: Open world, Developer: RFOX Labs Supported platform(s): Web
A browser-based shared city environment that offers users endless opportunities to explore and create immersive virtual spaces with easy-to-use tools.
Status: Development Expected release date: TBA Genre: Open world, metaverse Developer: Portals Labs, Inc. Supported platform(s): Web
Blockchain: Token: TBA
Note: Information provided in the table is accurate as of March 8, 2022.
Most popular metaverse projects: How we selected the titles for this list This list consists of metaverse projects that fulfill at least two of these criteria:
Offers the widest range of experiences, e.g. social, gaming and commerce
Active community on social media channels
Multiple partnerships with A-list investors
Fully detailed roadmap and whitepaper
Completed a number of significant funding and presale rounds
Strong market prominence and frequent media coverage
Advanced 3D environments
IDO-completed and tokens are typically available for trading
Partially launched features with ongoing/upcoming alpha tests
Frequent updates on project development progress
Lowest rug pull risk
Top metaverse game projects
Instead of collaborating with external partners and individual creators to offer various experiences, these metaverses are typically designed around the project’s main game.
If gaming is your thing, these are some of the top game-focused metaverses you don’t want to sleep on:
Project
Summary
Key project details
Blockchain(s) and token(s)
Star Atlas
An MMO grand strategy game enabling players to fight for resources, embark on territorial conquest, political domination and more.
Status: Development Expected release date: TBA Genre: DeFi, MMO, space Developer: Star Atlas Supported platform(s): Web
Blockchain: Governance token: POLIS Utility token: ATLAS
An open-world RPG, monster collector and sci-fi adventure game. Explore graphically rich landscapes to help your crash-landed crew survive and flourish.
Status: Development Expected release date: Q1 2022 Genre: DeFi, RPG, autobattler Developer: Kieran and Aaron Warwick Supported platform(s): Windows, Mac
A community-driven GameFi platform with a series of in-house developed games, e.g. Block Brawl, Token Master, Tactical Party Slayer that utilizes interoperable MOMO NFTs in the MOMOverse.
Status: Live Genre: DeFi, RPG, metaverse Developer: Mobox Digital Co. Supported platform(s): iOS, Android, web
Blockchain: Token: MBOX
Vulcan Forged
A premium multi-dApp ecosystem that offers play-to-earn fantasy games, including VulcanVerse, Berserk and Forge Arena.
Status: Beta Expected release date: TBA Genre: Fantasy, minigames, open world Developer: Vulcan Forged Supported platform(s): Windows
An MMO set in a vibrant online world. Collect unique Blankos, explore and participate in user-created minigames called Block Parties.
Status: Beta Expected release date: TBA Genre: MMO, party Developer: Mythical Inc Supported platform(s): Windows, Mac
Blockchain(s): Token: N/A
Alien Worlds
A decentralized metaverse where players mine NFTs, vote for planetary governance, send spacecraft on missions to compete against other explorers for rewards and more.
Status: Live Genre: Card, DeFi, space Developer: Dacoco GmbH Supported platform(s): iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, Linux, web
Blockchain(s): Token: TLM
StarLink
An expansive 3D social-universe filled with exploration, discovery and creation. Test your skills, earn rewards, create, explore and battle alongside or against other users.
Status: Development Expected release date: Q1 2022 Genre: MMORPG, open world Developer: STARL Metaverse Project Supported platform(s): Windows, Mac, Linux
Blockchain: Token: STARL
Evaverse
A multiplayer, immersive digital world for players to socialize and earn.
Status: Development Expected release date: Q1 2022 Genre: MMO, party Developer: Evaverse Supported platform(s): Web
Blockchain(s): Token: EVA
Troverse
Explore, gather, craft, discover, fight and hunt your way through a galaxy of 10,000 unique playable planet NFTs in a metaverse with visuals powered by Unreal Engine.
Status: Development Expected release date: Q3 2022 Genre: Open world, space, metaverse Developer: Troverse Supported platform(s): Web
Blockchain(s): Token: TBA
Nakamoto Games
A play-to-earn gaming ecosystem made up of dApps, offering both gamers and developers lucrative earning opportunities.
Status: Development Expected release date: Q2 2022 Genre: Minigames Developer: Nakamoto Games Supported platform(s): Web
Blockchain(s): Token: NAKA
Note: Information provided in the table is accurate as of March 8, 2022.
Game-focused metaverse projects: How we selected the titles for this list This list consists of metaverse projects that fulfill at least two of these criteria:
A metaverse built around the project’s main game
Active community on social media channels
Multiple partnerships with A-list investors
Fully detailed roadmap and whitepaper
Completion of significant funding and presale rounds
Strong market prominence and frequent media coverage
Avoid getting taken advantage of in any metaverse you plan to engage in by looking out for these scams.
Tokens with the same name/abbreviation. One of the most common exploits in the crypto space are scam tokens maliciously designed to mislead traders by using the same name or abbreviation as the official token. Always check the project’s official website for the token contract address before buying.
Fake NFT minting scams. Never open suspicious links — especially direct messages on social media channels — or connect your wallets to an unknown site. Scammers often supply fake websites with a seemingly identical link to the official project’s to trick unsuspecting victims into “minting” or “staking” their assets.
Potential rug pulls. Rug pull scams involve developers abandoning a project abruptly and taking off with investors’ funds. It’s good practice to join alpha groups — a community of cryptocurrency enthusiasts discussing upcoming projects — and seek opinions on projects you’re interested in.
Bethany Hickey is a personal finance writer at Finder, specializing in banking, lending, insurance, and crypto.
Bethany’s expertise in personal finance has garnered recognition from esteemed media outlets, such as Nasdaq, MSN, Yahoo Finance, GOBankingRates, SuperMoney, AOL and Newsweek. Her articles offer practical financial strategies to Americans, empowering them to make decisions that meet their financial goals. Her past work includes articles on generational spending and saving habits, lending, budgeting and managing debt.
Before joining Finder, she was a content manager where she wrote hundreds of articles and news pieces on auto financing and credit repair for CarsDirect, Auto Credit Express and The Car Connection, among others.
Bethany holds a BA in English from the University of Michigan-Flint, and was poetry editor for the university’s Qua Literary and Fine Arts Magazine.
How likely would you be to recommend finder to a friend or colleague?
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Very UnlikelyExtremely Likely
Required
Thank you for your feedback.
Our goal is to create the best possible product, and your thoughts, ideas and suggestions play a major role in helping us identify opportunities to improve.
Advertiser Disclosure
finder.com is an independent comparison platform and information service that aims to provide you with the tools you need to make better decisions. While we are independent, the offers that appear on this site are from companies from which finder.com receives compensation. We may receive compensation from our partners for placement of their products or services. We may also receive compensation if you click on certain links posted on our site. While compensation arrangements may affect the order, position or placement of product information, it doesn't influence our assessment of those products. Please don't interpret the order in which products appear on our Site as any endorsement or recommendation from us. finder.com compares a wide range of products, providers and services but we don't provide information on all available products, providers or services. Please appreciate that there may be other options available to you than the products, providers or services covered by our service.
We update our data regularly, but information can change between updates. Confirm details with the provider you're interested in before making a decision.
