The concept of the Metaverse has dominated the conversation in recent years, primarily because of its potential to deepen human communication through digital spaces and their continual innovation. 

No matter their industry, many big brands are looking to build their own metaverse in an attempt to better understand and connect with their customers. It opens up a whole new realm of possibilities as businesses can take their brand and their products into the digital sphere.

So, a few years into the Metaverse boom, let's look at who's at the top of their game and which metaverses are top of the totem pole when it comes to public opinion and popularity. 

1. The Sandbox

If the name doesn't give it away, The Sandbox is a Metaverse game where anything can be built and everything can be owned. This community-driven metaverse marries traditional gaming concepts with blockchain technology, allowing users to monetise their in-world activity. 

This metaverse has already collaborated with celebrities, as well as huge players in the finance sector. As its monetisation features gain traction, it's expected that The Sandbox will become more than just a game, but a gateway for companies to enter the Metaverse.

Which consumer brand will be next to cultivate its own corner of the Metaverse?

2. Roblox

If you have young children or have spent time with any in the past few years, then you've probably heard of Roblox. It's a kid's game, first and foremost. But it's also a key player in the burgeoning world of the Metaverse.

Roblox is a huge platform that allows users to build their own avatars, worlds, games and playable experiences. Users can then publish these experiences and share them with the rest of the Roblox community or choose to sell them for digital currency. 

What arguably makes Roblox the most unique entry on this list is its accessibility and simplification of complex code. The game's development environment, Roblox Studio, is designed for all ages and skill levels. It features a visual programming language that allows users to create scripts without knowing how to code. 

No matter your skill level, in this metaverse, the sky's the limit. 

3. Horizon Worlds

If you haven't heard of this one, you might have been living under a rock. (Or at least been trapped in a dance battle somewhere in the Roblox universe.) 

Yes, Horizon Worlds is Meta's very own metaverse and is most commonly viewed with the use of Meta's own VR headsets. The Oculus and Meta Quest headsets offer an immersive experience via free wireless mobility, crisp audio and high graphical fidelity.

Again, like many other metaverses, Horizon allows users to build their own products and experiences in-game. These can then be sold to other users, all around the world. 

Sensing a trend here? There's money to be made in the Metaverse and it's bringing a whole new meaning to the term "digital economy". 

4. NIKELAND

When the Metaverse began to explode, it was the retail players that really hit the ground running.

That might be surprising, especially because fashion brands are famous for having physical products that you can hold, wear and sport on the high street.

However, you could say Nike "Just did it". In 2021, the footwear giant became one of the first brands to create its own virtual space – a micro-metaverse within the Roblox universe called NIKELAND.

Nike continues to enhance its Metaverse presence. Recently, the company created an online community platform called .SWOOSH, which sells digital goods via Web3 technology.

5. Decentraland

Now this one is really taking digital real estate to the next level. 

Decentraland uses blockchain to construct a safe and secure virtual reality platform, where virtual assets can be bought and sold with minimal risk.

The platform enables users to produce, enjoy and monetise content and apps – all by building "LANDs". Brands and individuals can create these digital venues and use them in any way they see fit.

Unsurprisingly, creativity runs rampant. Decentraland has had an abundance of unique and intriguing projects built on it.

These include virtual casinos, art galleries and gaming experiences. Two of the most notable projects are the Decentraland Art Museum, which showcases digital art virtually, and the Decentraland Conference Centre, which allows users to host virtual events and conferences.

That's sure to make business meetings more fun in the future.

The future of the Metaverse

There you have it: a small sampling tray of the vast array of metaverses on the market. 

Whether you thought the Metaverse was a fad that would fade into obscurity or a trend that would take on a life of its own, it's now undeniable that the happenings of these various digital metaverses can, and will, have real-world implications. 

Right now, the Metaverse is consumer-led. However, as we've seen, there are growing opportunities for businesses to leverage these emerging spaces, open up new revenue streams and keep customers engaged.

It's all about connecting people, after all. It's the running theme that transcends the jargon, code and funny-looking avatars. 

Keep on top of Metaverse developments

To stay up to date with the ever-changing face of the Metaverse, XR technology and how both can transform your business for the better, stay tuned to our expert insights here at Expand Reality.

We have a whole host of resources about industry use cases for the Metaverse, so be sure to check those out at your leisure.