We categorize the technological tracks for building the metaverse as "BAND": Blockchain, Game, Network, and Display, which collectively construct the metaverse through value interaction, content hosting, data network transmission, and immersive presentation.
Individually, the rapid iteration of blockchain, the gradual mainstream adoption of sandbox games, the refinement of underlying technologies like communication and cloud computing, and the maturation of VR technologies have made the advent of the metaverse era possible. The metaverse requires communication and cloud computing for support, games to provide content, VR for presentation, and the economic system built by blockchain to facilitate value transfer. The tight integration of these four elements jointly constructs the metaverse.
(1) Blockchain technology provides a decentralized clearing and settlement platform and a value transfer mechanism, ensuring the ownership and circulation of value within the metaverse. This guarantees the stability and efficiency of the economic system, as well as the transparency and deterministic execution of rules. Decentralized virtual assets can circulate across platforms independently of their content, becoming more "real."
(2) Video games provide interactive content for the metaverse and are a critical track for its content development and user traffic. User-generated content has become a trend in metaverse game development, enriching the metaverse with diverse content. Players are no longer mere puppets controlled by game designers and developers, as in traditional games, and this shift is also changing perceptions of virtual assets.
(3) Upgrades in network and computing power technologies ensure information transmission and computational capabilities. 5G, AIoT, and computing power have laid a solid foundation for next-generation application innovation. Cloud gaming has also experienced rapid growth in recent years, with cloud computing being one of the fastest-growing technological fields. With continuous improvements in communication speeds and cloud computing power, cloud gaming has become a reality.
(4) Display technologies provide interaction methods, with ultra-high-definition and AR/VR devices undergoing continuous iterative upgrades. Users can now enjoy a highly immersive experience.
The reason we are currently focusing on the metaverse is that all four "BAND" tracks have undergone marginal changes in recent years, and both the supply and demand sides of technology are gradually supporting the arrival of the metaverse. Specifically, the blockchain DeFi and NFT tracks have rapidly evolved, transitioning from earlier conflicts between the coin and chain communities to gradually connecting with the real world. DeFi has established financial models, leading more individuals and institutions to accept this virtual asset paradigm. The gaming industry has pioneered the Roblox model, which is user-creation-driven and centered around an economic system, with the UGC model gaining widespread market recognition. The large-scale construction of 5G base stations and AIoT, the completion of massive IDC data centers, and the advancement of the "East Data West Computing" project have provided the foundation for the new era of the metaverse in terms of network data transmission and computing power. The latest generation of VR devices has received widespread acclaim for their user experience, with sales increasing, and display technology is evolving from 3D to fully immersive.
