In recent years, the metaverse has gained significant attention, with companies like The Sandbox becoming well-known even outside of Web3. However, developers in the space are still facing challenges in onboarding new users and making digital reality more accessible. In an effort to address this, Somnia, a layer-1 blockchain and metaverse protocol, has announced the launch of its Metaverse Browser, which aims to bring the metaverse directly to users’ web browsers.
The Metaverse Browser, which was released on May 15, features a simplified and intuitive interface designed to make it easier for new users to explore Web3 and create personalized content. Paul Thomas, the founder of Somnia, expressed his hope to create a more inclusive and user-friendly metaverse. He explained that the browser also allows users to create and deploy decentralized applications within the Somnia ecosystem. This includes object creation tools that utilize AI-based generation tools, enabling people to easily create objects without prior 3D art experience.
Thomas stated that they are currently working on implementing a first-party marketplace where users can buy and sell their metaverse objects and avatars, thus creating a metaverse object economy. Additionally, developers will have access to a software development kit that simplifies the creation of apps for users to interact with the metaverse. These apps can range from profile viewers to metaverse marketplaces.
To further engage the community, Somnia has partnered with Yuga Labs, a Web3 media company, to offer exclusive rewards to holders of select Yuga Labs NFT collections. These users will receive a bonus on any points earned during the Somnia Point Dream Hunt incentive campaign, which aims to reward users for engaging with metaverse experiences. Thomas expressed his hope that these partnerships will drive initial community engagement and encourage larger Web3 communities to try out the metaverse in their browsers.
Yuga Labs, known for bridging the gap between digital and physical reality, is the company behind popular NFT collections such as Bored Ape Yacht Club, Mutant Apes, CryptoPunks, and more. The company recently announced a restructuring process following the appointment of Greg Solano as CEO.
Despite a temporary slowdown, the metaverse market is projected to reach a value of $74.4 billion by the end of 2024, according to data from Statista. This indicates that the metaverse is still on a path of expansion, even with conservative estimates.