The use of blockchain, cryptocurrencies and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) – collectively known as “Web 3” technologies – will help to drive parts of the metaverse through consumer demand for ownership of virtual items and experiences. Ryan Gill, the CEO of Crucible, a Managing Director of the Open Meta Foundation and long-time Web 3 advocate, breaks down the opportunity and discusses the NFT opportunity, why Web 3 technologies make sense for the metaverse and the need for open standards to drive the development of this next big technology platform.

The creator economy is set to flourish in the metaverse era, providing deeper relationships and business opportunities for creators with their followers. Joost van Dreunen, a games industry analyst, investor and advisor and previously the founder and CEO of SuperData Research, breaks down the creator opportunity, how games are different from metaverse platforms and how the metaverse shapes investment strategies on this episode of Into the Metaverse.

Building the metaverse is going to take significant technology investment for several years. Marc Petit, the VP and General Manager of Unreal Engine at Epic Games, breaks down the emerging enabling technologies that are driving the metaverse, the role that real-time 3d software plays in the sector and the future of the Internet.

Brands have a massive opportunity to deepen relationships with consumers if they can successfully build a presence in the burgeoning metaverse, capitalizing on rising demand for digital asset ownership and self-expression. We dissect the opportunity with a leading metaverse brand consultant, Cathy Hackl, and discuss why brands need to be investing in the metaverse today. 

Cathy Hackl https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathyhackl

In the inaugural episode of "Into the Metaverse," BI Senior Analyst Matthew Kanterman and Supersocial founder and CEO Yonatan Raz-Fridman discuss the current developments within metaverse.