Yuga Labs has announced the upcoming launch of its metaverse project, Otherside, set for November 12. This virtual world, themed around the Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC), aims to create an “interoperable” and “decentralized” space, building on a funding round that raised $450 million in 2022.
Otherside is being marketed as a platform similar to popular games like Roblox and Fortnite, incorporating blockchain technology. Players can explore virtual environments using NFT avatars and can log in with cryptocurrency wallets or traditional email methods. Yuga Labs emphasizes low barriers to entry, intending to make it accessible to a broad audience.
The platform includes features like NFT avatars and community-created experiences. Some upcoming games, including “Bathroom Blitz” and “Otherside Outbreak,” add diversity to the social environment. The Swamp, an initial area explored in Otherside, allowed users to roam but lacked engaging interactive elements, suggesting a need for further development to foster immersion.
In-game avatars will represent NFTs players own, and Yuga Labs plans collaborations for exclusive avatar collections. An avatar named Boximus, developed in collaboration with Amazon, will be available for purchase online.
While Yuga Labs aims to build a creator ecosystem and offers the potential for reselling digital assets, questions arise regarding engagement levels. The presentation of social spaces may be less appealing compared to gameplay-oriented platforms. Whether Otherside can establish a strong user base remains uncertain, especially given the niche appeal of many 3D social spaces. The effectiveness of integrating crypto elements and engaging gameplay will likely be critical as the project nears its official launch.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/tech/806492/bored-ape-yacht-club-bayc-crypto-metaverse-otherside-yuga-labs