Which Metaverse Is The Best for Business ?

Decentraland and Sandbox are the key terms in the metaverse domain. Let’s dive in to understand the differences i.e. Decentraland vs Sandbox.

The most prominent term you might come across in all discussions on technology in present times is the metaverse. While the whole tech ecosystem awaits the arrival of the metaverse in its totality, the definition of the metaverse is quite difficult. Think of it as the internet in the 1980s! The simple definition for metaverse is a three-dimensional virtual world where users can interact with each other and digital solutions as digital avatars.

Among all the hype surrounding the metaverse, the debate on Decentraland vs Sandbox has started gaining attention. Both of them are completely decentralized metaverse platforms without any governing entity. So, what are the differences between them and which one is better? Let us reflect on the differences between Decentraland and Sandbox in detail.

Understanding the Two Popular Metaverse Platforms

The first thing you need for a sandbox vs Decentraland comparison is an outline of the definitions. Anyone following metaverse news closely must have come across the two top leaders in the space currently. Both of them have a lot of similarities, albeit with many significant differences. Let us start with a definition of both platforms to find out the answer to “what is better sandbox or Decentraland?” if there’s any.

Definition of Decentraland

The earliest pioneer in the metaverse space, Decentraland, started off in 2017 and is a completely immersive and engaging 3D metaverse. It focuses on enabling players to purchase plots of land alongside exploring the massive virtual universe. Decentraland features a diverse assortment of experiences for participants, such as games, casinos, galleries, concerts, and many others. As of now, it is the longest-running project in the metaverse space.

Decentraland started off with an ICO of $24 million, and it became available to the public in 2020. Users can create a wide variety of experiences on the different parcels of virtual real estate on the platform. You can find two distinct tokens associated with Decentraland, MANA, and LAND. MANA is the native token of the platform in compliance with ERC-20 standards, and users can burn MANA for acquiring LAND token, which follows ERC-721 standards. The MANA coin can work as payment for different avatars, wearables, products, and names on the Decentraland marketplace.

Definition of Sandbox

The next important player, i.e., Sandbox, started off in 2011 as a blockchain-based virtual world and migrated to the 3D gaming platform in 2017. The virtual world allows users to build, play, exercise ownership and carry monetization of all their virtual experiences. One of the primary aims of Sandbox focuses on empowering artists, creators, and players in the blockchain community to develop the platform according to their imagination. Sandbox gives the ideal means for unleashing creativity in the development of the modern gaming ecosystem.

The project brings the best of NFTs and DAOs for empowering a consistently growing community of gaming enthusiasts. Sandbox follows an innovative play-to-earn model, which helps users in developing as gamers and creators. The platform offers a utility token, SAND, which is essential for conducting all transactions on the platform.

What are the key points one can find from definition of both metaverse platforms to build the Decentraland vs sandbox comparison?

First of all, MANA is ideal for businesses, individuals, and creators looking for a new artistic medium, sources of entertainment, and new business opportunities. It is one of the rapidly expanding projects leveraging DAO or Decentralized Autonomous Organization for governance. In addition, MANA token holders have control over the Decentraland domain.

On the other hand, Sandbox is a blockchain-based virtual world that uses a simple native token SAND for its operations. Users can build, create, sell and purchase digital assets and experiences on the platform while empowering blockchain-based gaming. Sandbox focuses largely on user-generated content alongside creating an ecosystem of players contributing to the development.

Differences between Sandbox and Decentraland

If you try to find what is better Sandbox or Decentraland, then you might struggle with only the basic definitions. You would find that both of them are metaverse platforms offering immersive 3D experiences. Users have the freedom to create, buy, sell and trade digital assets and experiences. However, both of them are considerably different in various aspects, especially with MANA vs SAND differences.

• For starters, take note that the existing market cap of MANA is around $5,736,097,349 while that of SAND is $4,528,715,461, placing Decentraland at an advantage.
• Another highlight of the MANA vs SAND comparison is their pricing. As of the time of writing, the value of one SAND is $3664, while that of MANA is $2452.

Virtual real estate is the next frontier, but it’s important to know who is already investing in the metaverse so you can decide if your own business would make sense there. Companies of all sorts are starting to settle in; these are just a few that may tell a bigger story about where the metaverse is headed and who will be leading the revolution.

1. Atari

It should come as no surprise that one of the first pioneers in video games and home computing would have taken early steps into the metaverse. Atari owns virtual property in both Decentraland and The Sandbox, metaverse platforms where visitors can play Atari-themed games and attend branded events, with plans to expand digital gaming opportunities across the board.

2. Samsung

Electronics maker Samsung launched its metaverse location, known as Samsung 837X, in Decentraland earlier this year. It was designed based on the Samsung 837 store in New York City, where all sorts of products can be experienced directly, and it offers a similarly immersive experience with NFTs, games, product introductions, and live performances. Samsung also hosted a digital version of its Unpacked event at 837X, launching the Galaxy S22 phone, on Feb. 9.

3. Adidas

Along with premiering one of many planned NFT collections in The Sandbox, sporting goods power Adidas purchased a plot of land there that it intends to fill with exclusive branded content, experiences, and items for purchase. The details at this time are thin, but Adidas describes the metaverse as “a natural place for Adidas Originals to enter: a wild world where possibilities are truly limitless and where anyone can express and be rewarded for their most original ideas.”

4. PricewaterhouseCoopers

Back in December, the international accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC)’s Hong Kong branch purchased a piece of land in The Sandbox. Although the metaverse probably won’t spur a lot of new and exciting accounting breakthroughs, PwC doesn’t want to miss out on the potential. William Gee, a partner at PwC Hong Kong, told the Wall Street Journal in a statement that “the Metaverse offers new possibilities for organisations [sic] to create value through innovative business models, as well as introducing new ways to engage with their customers and communities.”

5. Prager Metis

Of course, The Sandbox isn’t the only metaverse platform with an accounting firm. New York-based Prager Metis International LLC opened a virtual office building in Decentraland in December. The reason? Chief Executive Officer Glenn Friedman told the WSJ simply “if the metaverse is going to replace the internet, then certainly business is going to use it.”

6. Miller Lite

With businesses flocking to the metaverse, there must also be Happy Hour. Don’t worry, Molson Coors has it covered. It’s constructed the Meta Lite Bar, just in time for the Super Bowl, with nothing but Miller Lite as far as the eye can see. Along with virtual pool tables and virtual beer on tap, visitors can win REAL suds and experience exclusive content on Game Day.

The variety of businesses headed to the metaverse is huge

If you’ve read through this list and still can’t find a way that your business will fit into the metaverse, then you may be overthinking it. When even your friendly neighborhood accountants think that being in the metaverse is an important step in their company’s story, it’s time to sit up and pay attention.

Future metaverse landlords should be watching this space, too, because they can pick up properties now while they’re still affordable. Small companies that want a metaverse presence will be looking to you for a rental, or even billboard space.

The metaverse is a highly speculative place, and real estate there is potentially filled with risk, but it’s also a universe that’s quickly being adopted by all kinds of people and businesses. Not everyone will want to build their own structure or even own their own lot, creating huge opportunities for metaverse real estate investors who make smart purchases in growing platforms with long-lasting potential.