The Rise of Metaverse Gaming in 2023

Since the rise of artificial intelligence, the metaverse has been making waves in the technology and virtual reality world. The impossible is now possible. You can create a world where you can walk on water or swim in the stars, all online.  

You may also be aware of the publicity the metaverse in the Apprentice 2023 Final. Finalists Marnie Swindells’ and Rochelle Anthony were tasked with creating a digital demo of their proposed business spaces to pitch to Lord Sugar and an array of industry experts. The metaverse is also gaining steam in the gaming world. Many companies are showcasing a new virtual reality world that now exists in parallel to the physical world we live in. This blog explores more in-depth about what metaverse gaming is, what its elements are, and some of the most popular games to look out for in 2023.  

What is Metaverse Gaming? 

We hear a lot of people talking about the growing popularity of immersive experiences. Well, the gaming world still is one of the most exciting and immersive experiences for people across the world. Over the years, gaming has transformed from a simple source of entertainment to something that gamers can use to fully immerse themselves into the universe. This describes the concept of metaverse gaming.  

If you’re wondering how it works, the answer lies within the incorporation of Blockchain technology. Not only does this offer a high level of security and decentralisation, but it means that we can create a unique gaming experience where players can earn in-game rewards, buy and sell assets, and even trade cryptocurrencies.  

In the future, we can expect to see metaverse gaming revolutionising the industry. It’s already turning into a multi-billion-pound industry. So, if you’re looking to embark on a future-proof career where you can take advantage of your hobbies, then gaming could be a great place to start!  

Elements of Metaverse Gaming 

For such a complex solution that involves the creation of a new virtual reality, it may come as no surprise that there are multiple different elements to it: 

 - An accessible 3D world  

- Virtual characters to communicate and participate in the game 

- The possession of in-game items  

- Gameplay principles and goals  

- VR equipment that allows gamers to take part  

Top Metaverse Games to Play in 2023 

Now that we’ve gained a better insight into what metaverse gaming is, it’s time to look at a couple of the most popular games: 

Minecraft 

Do you remember playing Minecraft? This game enables players to build and explore a new 3D world exactly how they envisioned it. It was also one of the first games invented to offer a virtual economy, allowing players to trade in-game items. Having said this, it’s a prime example of a game you can use to understand the core concept of the metaverse. Firstly, it’s highly adaptable. This means that players can create their own content and share it with others; making it easier to create new experiences in the game. It also has a large sense of community that generates a sense of belonging. And, more importantly, it is constantly evolving, with new features regularly being added. 

Axies Infinity 

Next, we have Axies Infinity. This is a Pokémon-inspired online video game developed by a Vietnamese studio called Sky Mavis. The game runs on the cryptocurrency, Ethereum. The main aim is to collect, breed, raise, battle, and trade the Axies (digital pets). To begin the game itself, you need to buy three Axies with Ethereum so you can start breeding, raising, and battling. Also, what makes this game a great example of the metaverse is that the developers introduced their own cryptocurrency wallet called Ronin, which is used to make the in-game transactions. 

Turn your Passion into a Career with a Gaming Degree 

If there’s one thing for sure, it’s that gaming has a bright future. At the University of Bolton, we offer courses including BA (Hons) Games Art, BSc (Hons) Games Design, and BSc (Hons) Games Programming. So whether you are looking to express your creative side by learning how to design the next best-selling game, or your technical side by cracking the code involved in programming one, we have a course that will suit your gaming needs. 

Students benefit from a supportive learning environment with quality lecturers who are committed to supporting their career ambitions. Throughout your studies, you will also call our £13 million facility home. It was opened back in 2017 and includes the Centre for Games Development. Within this study space, students find a 30-seat Cintiq studio and an open-access virtual reality suite. It's fully equipped to teach you up-to-date industry practices and give you great preparation for gaming in the metaverse.  

We were one of the first UK universities to introduce gaming courses. This means that we have excellent industry connections to help our students gain graduate employment; including companies like Rockstar Games, Codemasters, Travellers’ Tales and Cloud Imperium Games. 

Success is all about game play. And at the University of Bolton, we play a great game by the way we put our students and their needs first. That’s how we’ve been voted first for Student Satisfaction for the past five years*.  

If you’re ready to start your gaming journey, click here to read more and find the best course for you. For further information, please contact us at enquiries@bolton.ac.uk or call us on 01204 903903. 

#UseYerLoaf… and choose #UniAsItShouldBe! 

*Complete University Guide – Student Satisfaction – Northwest – 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019