ChaoticMusings -> The Whine Cellar -> Are your teens blowing real cash on imaginary Gucci handbags that exist only in the online world of the Metaverse?
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TOPIC: Are your teens blowing real cash on imaginary Gucci handbags that exist only in the online world of the Metaverse?
Billions are now being invested in the creation of these worlds by tech giants such as Microsoft's Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg, chief executive of Facebook – now renamed 'Meta' – because of the enormous profits to be made.
It might sound bizarre, even incomprehensible, but here in the metaverse anyone can buy cars, houses, land and entire wardrobes of designer clothes, shoes and accessories that don't exist beyond the screen.
No one can drive the £2,500 digital car or a £3,000 virtual moped that were both for sale on New Year's Eve – yet the money involved is all too real.
Canny celebrities such as US rapper Snoop Dogg and Ms Hilton are thought to be making substantial sums from fans who pay for the privilege of moving an avatar around virtual worlds, attend online events and concerts and purchase a bewildering variety of virtual products.
Luxury brands have spotted the extraordinary opportunities these worlds offer, too. Last May, Gucci marketed digital 'spaces' in an online 'Gucci Garden' so users could 'try on' and buy limited-edition digital clothes. None of the products existed beyond the screen, yet Gucci Garden says it had 19 million visitors in just two weeks.
Other brands include Balenciaga, which has hired a 'chief metaverse officer' to develop a virtual clothing line, Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, Nike and Adidas.
Inevitably there are concerns about safety, bullying and sexual behaviour. One Meta user claimed their avatar was groped by another.
Meta has pledged to work on security. But worries are prevalent – particularly because users are predominantly young. Age checks are not universal although some sites say users must be at least 13.
One leading platform, Roblox – which hosts Paris World – told the US authorities that more than half its users were aged under 13 in 2020.
Crazy.
Young kids start off buying weapons when they play digital games, my grandson did it years ago.
I suppose the next step for some is to dress their online image in designer clothes and drive designer cars.
People pay to see designer digital images perform...ABBA for eg.
God knows what the world will be like in 100 years time.
Crazy. Young kids start off buying weapons when they play digital games, my grandson did it years ago. I suppose the next step for some is to dress their online image in designer clothes and drive designer cars. People pay to see designer digital images perform...ABBA for eg.
God knows what the world will be like in 100 years time.
Well most of the natural world will not know because it will be extinct.
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ChaoticMusings -> The Whine Cellar -> Are your teens blowing real cash on imaginary Gucci handbags that exist only in the online world of the Metaverse?
