Virtual experiences have become the next big thing that offers all kinds of utility to the Web3 space. So much so that the Metaverse is seen as the perfect economy for all things crypto, blockchain, and NFT.
In order to get there though, new ways and means help people find a niche to fulfill their desires within the Metaverse context.
We reached out to Hrish Lotlikar, Co-Founder and CEO at SuperWorld, a Virtual World that is mapped all over the earth to talk to us about how virtual experiences can change humanity forever.
Here’s what he had to say.
Hrish Lotlikar, Co-Founder and CEO at SuperWorld
E-Crypto News:
What is the greatest impact of emerging technologies on virtual experiences?
Emerging technologies are the future of virtual experiences, as virtual reality, augmented reality and mixed reality are all expected to grow and continue to change how people interact with their surroundings. From blockchain and Web3 initiatives to advertising, education, commerce and even politics, the virtual experience will only continue to expand in scope and become more immersive as technologies develop and adoption grows.
E-Crypto News:
Please, can you tell us about SuperWorld?
SuperWorld is a virtual world in augmented reality (AR), digitally mapped over the surface of the Earth. Plots of SuperWorld land are represented as non-fungible tokens (NFT) corresponding to real world space. Any user in SuperWorld can explore and create AR content, engage in a virtual real estate marketplace, or buy and sell NFTs in the SuperWorld NFT Salon.
Related: The Metaverse: What Is It And Why Does It Matter?
E-Crypto News:
Why use augmented reality (AR)? What role does it play within the SuperWorld ecosystem?
As we integrate the Metaverse and Web3 technology into our everyday lives, future-forward regions, brands, governments and organizations looking to capitalize on the exposure and monetization opportunities the Metaverse affords will, I believe, depend increasingly on Augmented Reality, as interactivity within a digital space complements its corresponding physical space in really unique and compelling ways.
E-Crypto News:
How does virtual real estate gain value?
Virtual real estate can increase in value in a number of ways. Since SuperWorld is digitally mapped over Earth, there are of course a finite number of locations from which to choose, so popular and iconic locations like the Taj Mahal or the Eiffel Tower or Empire State Building have a built-in cachet and perceived value that (typically) tends to increase.
Furthermore, as we implement monetization mechanics, SuperWorld users and brands can create AR projects, sell NFTs and populate their land with events that add to their appeal, and subsequently, their value.
E-Crypto News:
Please, can you tell us about content monetization in SuperWorld?
We’re in the process of holistically improving the user experience and features for landowners, with monetization being a high priority. Q1 of 2023 is our current expectation.
E-Crypto News:
What is the NFT Salon? How does it work?
The NFT Salon is an NFT marketplace where users can purchase art, experiences and more under one easy-to-use platform.
E-Crypto News:
What blockchains are connected with SuperWorld?
SuperWorld is connected primarily with the Ethereum blockchain, although we are blockchain agnostic and open to all blockchains.
Related: The Role of Crypto in the Virtual Economy Created by the Metaverse
E-Crypto News:
How do players in the SuperWorld ecosystem interact with NFTs?
As I mentioned, SuperWorld is mapped onto the real world, so every plot of land in SuperWorld is represented as an NFT to buy, sell, trade, or hold. Similarly, SuperWorld users can sell NFTs placed on their properties (giving their virtual real estate added value), along with the ability to mint them directly onto our NFT marketplace.
Related: How to Profit From NFTs
E-Crypto News:
Please, can you tell us about your Augmented Reality (AR) mobile app?
The SuperWorld mobile app is free, and allows users to create and discover content in AR, including text / video / images / audio / 3D animation.
E-Crypto News:
What role will metaverse ecosystems play in ensuring cryptocurrency adoption?
That’s a great question, and I think the biggest challenges for regions looking to make a move to the Metaverse and cryptocurrency adoption is education. Meaning, despite the growing popularity of NFTs, blockchain, Augmented Reality and other Metaverse technologies, the vast majority of people need to understand how they can benefit from this tech in the “real world.” The reasons are all there, but a well-articulated message will be critical for greater adoption and conversion of both Metaverse land and an overall acceptance of cryptocurrency as a safe, functional alternative to fiat.
E-Crypto News:
Do you think that metaverse ecosystems are still viable with the current state of things in the cryptocurrency industry?
Absolutely. I think that while the pandemic forced us to isolate ourselves to a large degree from the physical world, it caused us to become more familiar with and more receptive toward the digital sphere.
Post-Covid, I think regions will be better prepared to integrate their particular areas and initiatives in the Metaverse without the friction they might have encountered pre-pandemic. Call it a silver lining, I suppose. And while crypto has taken a hit (made worse by the FTX debacle), I think it will necessarily take Metaverse adoption to sustain crypto and vice versa. The two will, in my opinion, work in tandem as catalysts for the other.
E-Crypto News:
What is the Star Chamber?
The Star Chamber is a dedicated, monthly showcase of artists and NFT creators we love. They don’t have to have any connection to SuperWorld–the Star Chamber is purely a showcase for compelling NFTs, from fine art to social impact initiatives.
E-Crypto News:
Are there any social impact projects you guys are involved with? Please, can you tell us about them?
From our inception, the mission of SuperWorld has been and continues to be building a better world in real life through the Metaverse. We’ve engaged with organizations from Disaster Fighters (to help at-risk communities in the Caribbean during hurricane season) and MONOGRAMA NFT (to raise awareness for and support indigenous peoples in the Western Amazon) to UNESCO (the “Rise From the Ashes” campaign, which is using AR to help rebuild the city of Beirut) and the Flint Water Festival (the first NFT exhibition and social impact initiative in AR, dedicated to raising funds and awareness to provide safe water for communities affected by the water crisis).
We’ve also partnered with the reforestation organization One Tree Planted, in which, for every plot of virtual real estate sold on our platform, we plant a tree in the real world.
E-Crypto News:
How can the metaverse help solve humanity’s problems?
Every industry, from entertainment and education to finance, health and real estate, our world has been revolutionized and optimized to our interests and inclinations. While much of our intelligence is artificial, our collective knowledge and experience (and our access to it) has become all-encompassing and intimate in a very human way.
This is all to say that for us to affect real change in the world and help humanity, there needs to be a collaborative effort between “boots on the ground” activism here in the real world that’s supplemented and informed by our activity in the Metaverse.
E-Crypto News:
How do you intend to use your influence as a leader within the metaverse community?
As someone with a degree of influence in the Metaverse space, I try to elucidate that virtual worlds, NFTs and Web3 tech are not just applicable as independent amusements (although they can be!), but that, if used in tandem and in an open forum (SuperWorld is also a founding member of the Open Metaverse project), we can build a better world here on Earth through our actions and our creativity in the Metaverse.
E-Crypto News:
There is so much technology in one place! How do you manage bugs and other issues that come up?
We have a dedicated team in place 24/7 who work out any bugs and help ensure that every aspect of our platform runs smoothly. It’s a tough job, but our QA team is relentless in taking the necessary steps to keep the various moving parts of SuperWorld intuitive, functional, and effective.
E-Crypto News:
Are there any plans for next year?
We’ve got lots planned, but one thing I’m particularly excited about is the launch of our utility token, $SUPER, hopefully in Q1 of 2023.
E-Crypto News:
Where do you think everything metaverse is going?
It’s interesting because right now, the Metaverse is not what we think it is, but what everyone accepts it for, existing as it does in a perceived (and unified) space, including virtual and augmented realities, and developed through an underlying foundation by which we can experience our worlds.
But, through the advent of blockchain and world-scale AR, we have successfully integrated the entire spectrum of commerce, culture and community together to build a better world for ourselves, our loved ones, and anyone else making their way in the metaverse.
E-Crypto News:
Any secret plans you want to share?
Well, I can’t share any secret plans because that would spoil the secret, but I can say that during Q1 of 2023, keep on the lookout for major developments on our mobile app and a clear path toward monetization.
