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Decentraland is a so-called metaverse – a virtual world in which people can interact with each other in some way. What sounds quite complex at first can be imagined in simplified terms like a country or huge piece of land.
This is Decentraland
Decentraland was launched in 2015 by Argentinians Ari Meilich and Esteban Ordano.
- In the beginning, the platform was like a giant image made of pixels. Later it became a three-dimensional world.
- 2018, a cryptocurrency of its own was invented in this world: MANA.
- Using this currency, the developers could sell plots of land in their 3D world. Initially, these cost only 20 US dollars, but later they went up to 100,000 dollars.
- Totally, there are over 90,000 plots in Decentraland. These plots are called NFTs.
- The founders have since retired. Since 2020, Decentraland has been open to the public, provided they have the money. A first look inside the virtual world is completely free.
Events and more in Decentraland
Decentraland is not only worth an investment for technology fans.
- 2021, for example, the well-known London auction house Sotherbys built a replica of its headquarters as a virtual gallery. In the same year, the state of Barbados declared its intention to open a digital embassy in Decentraland
- But it’s not just art and politics that stray into Decentraland. Cultural events such as the specially proclaimed Metaverse Festival have also been held in October since 2021. The festival lasts four days.
- Totally, there are a variety of events to be found on the official events page.
- The idea behind Decentraland is that the users decide what happens there and what it looks like. One’s own plot of land can therefore also be converted into an adventure dungeon, similar to Minecraft, for example.
- This idea is nothing new. Other, not quite as successful projects like Second Life have already tried it.