Abstract
The Spatial Web vision aims towards the development of a multidimensional layer to the Web fabric where the physical layer is fused with some virtual environment. Advances in the development of computer-generated virtual words or a metaverse are pushing toward the realization of this vision. This chapter argues that distributed ledger technologies, like blockchain, can enable a ubiquitous and persistent architectural layer for the Spatial Web. The emergence of independent blockchain-based metaverses and decentralized gaming virtual world provides evidence on how the technology can enable this evolution. A blockchain layer offers a standardized infrastructure for tokenizing physical objects and creating their digital footprints in a manner that such tokens (fungible or non-fungible) can be digitally owned, exchanged, and shared. The chapter contributes an analysis of the current status of virtual worlds with a focus on the emerging blockchain-based metaverse and articulates the open challenges and research perspectives for the emerging space of blockchain-based metaverses.
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The reader is referred to the novel titled Snow Crash. Activeworlds (http://www.activeworlds.com) describes a virtual world that is based on the vision described by the novel.
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https://www.larvalabs.com/cryptopunks. The main CryptoPunks contract can be found at: 0xb47e3cd837dDF8e4c57F05d70Ab865de6e193BBB.
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Tokens are received in Smooth Love Potions (SLP)—https://etherscan.io/token/0x37236cd05b34cc79d3715af2383e96dd7443dcf1.
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Christodoulou, K., Katelaris, L., Themistocleous, M., Christodoulou, P., Iosif, E. (2022). NFTs and the Metaverse Revolution: Research Perspectives and Open Challenges. In: Lacity, M.C., Treiblmaier, H. (eds) Blockchains and the Token Economy. Technology, Work and Globalization. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-95108-5_6
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