Digital cities of the future integrate real life with virtual — Interview with Metropolis

As Web3 brings digital realms closer than ever to the real world, this virtual ecosystem introduces innovative forms of social interaction
Serkan Keskin
Posted by Serkan Keskin October 29, 2024 6 Mins Read
As Web3 brings digital realms closer than ever to the real world, this virtual ecosystem introduces innovative forms of social interaction

Presented by Metropolis

The mass adoption of technology — mainly computers, smartphones and the internet — has blurred the lines between the real world and the digital universe. For well over a decade, people have spent more than six hours a day in front of a digital screen, indicating that digital interactions have a part to play in social interactions and how people perceive the world around them.

Blockchain adds a new layer to digital interaction by introducing true digital ownership, another step toward virtual realms becoming more intertwined with their physical counterparts. Thanks to the metaverse trend, video games are not for mere fun anymore: They are gateways to social interaction and new communities.

Metropolis — an ecosystem merging commerce, gaming, SocialFi, art and culture to craft a comprehensive 360° experience — seeks to offer innovative digital interaction methods. Metropolis X is the core platform of the ecosystem, offering a gamified marketplace where digital collectibles unlock real-world products and experiences.

The “capital city” of Metropolis’ digital universe is Metropolis World, a place that transforms virtual interactions into immersive experiences through hundreds of unique, story-driven properties.

In this interview, Metropolis co-founders Rania Ajami and Rashid Ajami discuss the evolution of digital worlds and the vision of future digital cities.

Cointelegraph: How do you see the recent evolution of digital worlds and their current state?

Rania Ajami: Initially, companies like Meta envisioned online experiences as immersive virtual reality (VR) worlds, but these concepts didn’t take hold. Instead, we’re seeing a shift toward metaversal experiences that blend more seamlessly with real life. Games like Fortnite and Roblox, for instance, have evolved from their original formats to host virtual concerts and social events, going beyond traditional gaming.

This evolution suggests that people are less captivated by the idea of a “metaverse” and more interested in practical, engaging experiences that redefine digital interaction — seeking an accessible, relevant and sustainable digital experience that still pushes the boundaries of what virtual interactions can offer.

CT: How did the concept of digital identity evolve with Web3?

Rashid Ajami: The biggest shift in digital identity recently is our evolving relationship with freedom of expression. Online, the slight detachment empowers riskier, more authentic expressions than were possible in the early, more restrained internet days. Now, with Web3 emphasizing ownership and privacy, authenticity in digital spaces has become crucial. This is the core of our platform, Metropolis X. We aim to empower users to explore genuine expression through their passions and communities. This way, your Metropolis avatar becomes a dynamic representation of your evolving self, not just a static snapshot from one moment.

CT: What has attracted you to build a digital city with the Metropolis? What were your initial goals?

Rania: We envisioned a city that transcends boundaries, a virtual metropolis where gaming, commerce, experiences and community meet. With our background in worldbuilding, we were excited to create a city accessible from anywhere in the world. But we wanted more than just accessibility — we aimed to blend this digital space with your real-life experiences. At our core, we advocate for connecting the digital and the tangible.

Our cities are more than virtual spaces; they’re bustling hubs of opportunity. Here, you’re not just a visitor but a co-creator, shaping our vibrant urban landscape. Our assets aren’t just digital — they’re gateways, seamlessly linking you to other games and environments.

CT: How does the Metropolis World differ from other digital worlds? How do you position Metropolis within today’s Web3 landscape?

Rashid: We’re crafting our world as a vibrant collection of experiences, not just an isolated digital space. It’s a place where you don’t just visit but live, build communities, create businesses, weave stories, embark on adventures, learn and so much more.

To make access easy, we’ve ditched complex crypto for straightforward social logins and credit card payments. Our focus on delivering exceptional experiences is evident through partnerships with over 400 leading creators. We’re blending the digital with the physical, making your virtual life a seamless extension of your real one. With a commitment to superb aesthetics, every interaction on our platform is polished and captivating.

CT: What role do in-world currencies play in establishing and expanding digital cities?

Rania: In-world currencies are the backbone of digital cities, facilitating commerce, incentivizing engagement and driving growth. They enable transactions for goods and services across the world, fostering a vibrant marketplace. Users earn currency through activities that promote active participation and community building. Additionally, currencies can be invested in city expansion and purchasing land and infrastructure. This financial ecosystem fuels economic activity, incentivizes contribution and propels the evolution of digital cities.

CT: Metropolis also has its own currency — the CLAY token. What does CLAY bring to the Metropolis ecosystem?

Rashid: The CLAY token empowers the Metropolis ecosystem with multifaceted utility. Beyond mere ownership, CLAY acts as the master key, unlocking a range of benefits across gaming, commerce and community engagement. Through staking, users earn rewards and loyalty bonuses, while quests offer opportunities to win real-world prizes. CLAY facilitates trading, grants early access to premium items and provides discounts across digital collectibles and experiences. Moreover, tokenholders gain property ownership privileges, influence city policies and enjoy brand amplification opportunities. As Metropolis expands, CLAY will continue to evolve, integrating DeFi products, real-world utility and cross-platform capabilities.

CT: What are your most significant milestones so far? Do you have any partnerships or crucial numbers that you want to talk about?

Rania: Starting off with a bang, our Passport launch sold out in just two hours despite the bear market. The City encompasses over 500+ properties that sold out two weeks after the Passport drop and still make up the foundation of our vibrant community today.

Since then, we’ve connected with over 300 million people through various drops and the debut of our marketplace, Metropolis X. This platform gives our partners a straightforward way to launch their own collections. We’ve since collaborated with over 400 top brands and creators. Additionally, our white-label software-as-a-service (SaaS) solution allows other companies to activate their online audiences through unique offerings within our gamified marketplace.

CT: What future developments can Metropolis citizens expect? What do you have in store for users?

Rashid: We have some exciting developments coming soon! Our questing platform integrates our avatar builder, city and rich lore for immersive adventures. You’ll experience AI-powered quests that adapt to your preferences, offering dynamic challenges that make the world feel alive. Our plug-and-play back-end simplifies marketplace collaboration, empowering both creators and brands to build stories around whatever they want to amplify.

Additionally, you’ll be able to extend your social media footprint through your property profile, enjoy interoperable 3D avatars across different platforms and explore five new cities. These upgrades promise a more immersive Metropolis fueled by the latest technology and collaborative spirit.

CT: How do you see the future of Web3 and digital worlds? What role do you believe Metropolis will play in achieving that future?

Rania: We view digital worlds as less of a destination and more as an evolution of our online lives. At Metropolis, we’re working to seamlessly blend Web2 and Web3 technologies, minimizing the gap between them. By utilizing familiar technology, interfaces and vocabulary, we make it easy for anyone to engage without facing the steep learning curve typical of Web3 applications.

We also emphasize integrating physical offerings into our digital environments, allowing for a more tangible connection to Metropolis. Ultimately, we see Metropolis as an extension, not a replacement, of our lives, representing a natural evolution of what we already know and love.

Learn more about Metropolis

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