Exploring Future Projects in Decentraland

A preview of what can be built on a limitless VR platform.

Decentraland is the first virtual world completely owned by its users. Ownership means full control, something no other platform has given its community. In fact, other virtual worlds depend on limiting control to earn a profit.

At Decentraland, we believe giving users full ownership and authority will result in better experiences and stronger communities.

So, what’s possible? With custom scripting, users can build anything from static structures to immersive, peer-to-peer applications. Through our Community Vision Program, the Decentraland community has already begun to bootstrap the world with exciting proposals and experiences.

Let’s take a look at a few of the limitless possibilities.

Applications

The Decentraland scripting language is designed to handle a wide range of capabilities, including creating objects, loading textures, handling physics, encoding user interactions, sounds, payments, external calls, and more.

This flexibility allows for applications such as:

• Games — From virtual arcades powered by micro-transactions to in-world MMORPGs, game developers can create any type of content or experience, monetizing it however they’d like.
• Gambling — Full-service casinos and betting markets could offer experiences unlike anything in existence. Shared environments enable individuals and groups to participate in games, contests, and betting markets — even those that can’t exist (due to cost or complexity) in the physical world.
• Marketplaces — Online shopping is often a solemn activity, but it doesn’t have to be. Virtual stores and entire malls can be built that allow customers to shop in-person (digitally) with friends from all over the world. They can shop for clothes, play with a new gadget, or even test-drive a car. VR shopping has several unique advantages, including immersive visuals, access to impossible real-world views (such as inside an engine), and simulated use cases (scrolling through all possible color variants of a sweater).
• Business — Virtual spaces allow companies to operate central workplaces with a global workforce. They can build custom spaces specifically tailored to their needs. An architecture firm can use digital tools that convert their drawings into traversable, 3D models on their land. Construction firms can offer safety training in a risk-free environment. Doctors can meet you in person from thousands of miles away.
• Tourism — VR greatly reduces the cost of visiting remote destinations, any of which can be replicated and experienced digitally. Some tourism applications on Decentraland could be nearly (or completely) impossible in the physical world, such as walking the surface of Mars or visiting 16th century Edinburgh.

Content Curation

Having land adjacent to other plots allows users in Decentraland to build unique neighborhoods around shared interests. Many districts will become high-traffic hubs, driving targeted users to nearby land parcels. This allows users to discover content quickly with little expense.

Districts can form based on any interest or activity. Some examples include:

• Entertainment — Users looking to have fun could visit a district that offers VR movie theaters, gaming, social meet-ups, and live performances.
• Sports — Neighborhoods could form dedicated to a team, league, or sports in general. Fans from across the world can stop at the virtual casino, make a few bets on a game, and then watch the match on a 100-foot virtual screen with thousands of comrades.
• Shopping — Virtual stores will benefit immensely from adjacency. Users can visit dozens of storefronts with dramatically less time and expense compared to the physical world.

Advertising

Because users will have shared experiences — often in neighborhoods catering to a specific niche — brands and entrepreneurs can engage with their audience in a mutually beneficial way. Companies will likely compete to place their products and services in high-trafficked areas. Some neighborhoods may become virtual versions of Times Square in New York City.

Digital Collectibles

Decentraland allows for full ownership of land. Digital goods are no different. We expect users to publish, distribute, and collect rare digital assets issued on the blockchain by their creators. These digital assets can be traded using a scripting system. Digital collectibles may include limited-release albums, unique artwork, trading cards, and much more.

Social

Groups that currently gather in online forums, chat groups, or even centralized multiplayer games can port their communities into Decentraland. Hundreds of messaging systems and social groups could be streamlined and improved by using virtual tools in custom environments.

Next Steps

There are no technical limitations to what can be built in Decentraland. Hundreds of other use cases will likely emerge, in fields like professional development, education, therapy, 3D design, virtual tourism, and many more.

We’re giving away free MANA (convertible to LAND) for proposals of Decentraland content (cinemas, games, museums, etc.), feedback, and thoughtful discussion. Check out our Community Vision Program for more details.¹

Join the Community

Reach out directly by following our Slack or Telegram channels. Subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive content and insider announcements.

1. This offer has since expired. However, we have new initiatives planned that will help incentivize and fund content creation, to be announced in Q3 2018.