Phil Spencer, the head honcho of Xbox, shared his thoughts on the Metaverse during a recent chat with Bloomberg’s Emily Chang. While he’s all in for the Metaverse, he’s got a cautious grip on the crypto-fueled play-to-earn (P2E) games, and who can blame him? The world of digital currency can seem more like the Wild West than a peaceful gaming utopia!
The Gamer’s Metaverse: We’ve Been Here All Along
Spencer argued that gamers might not realize it, but they’ve been cruising the Metaverse highway for decades. Yep, you heard it right! According to him, battling goblins in World of Warcraft or racing with others in a virtual car is, in essence, indulging in Metaverse shenanigans. “When you’re playing games, you’re in a shared world,” he remarked, clearly hinting that gamers are already in a digital paradise they didn’t even know they were part of.
Metaverse: A 3D Wonderland
Spencer explained his view of the Metaverse as a “3D shared world” where players can connect, communicate, and collaborate on epic quests and common goals. Interestingly, he pointed out that so many gamers are skeptical about the Metaverse—probably because their daily gaming escapades already resemble a digital universe!
The Thoughts from the Top
Joining Spencer’s bandwagon of excitement for the Metaverse is none other than Microsoft CEO, Satya Nadella. He mentioned that titles like Halo and Minecraft could be looked at as existing within the Metaverse realm, simply needing a 3D polish. “We absolutely plan to do so,” he asserted, hinting at some major Metaverse makeovers coming our way.
The NFT Dilemma: To Buy or Not to Buy
When it comes to the ownership of virtual land in the Metaverse via NFTs, Spencer chose to take a pass on the heat. He left the fiercely debated topic to other voices in the room, most notably crypto advocate Mark Cuban, who candidly called it “the dumbest s— ever.” Let’s just say the enthusiasm for virtual real estate might need a serious reality check.
Enterprise Moves: A Different Kind of Skill Set
Despite the inclination to veer away from virtual property discussions, Spencer remains intrigued by how the Metaverse can be utilized in the corporate world. Game creation skills are, according to him, a golden ticket for enhancing enterprise experiences. It’s a fascinating pivot where video games meet boardroom benefits!
Cautiously Optimistic About P2E
The Xbox bigwig expressed a bit more hesitation towards blockchain-based play-to-earn games. While acknowledging that monetization has made its mark in gaming for years, Spencer had reservations about what kind of labor P2E games might demand from players. “It creates a worker force out of players,” he remarked, suggesting that making digital dough from gaming shouldn’t feel like clocking hours in a virtual office.
A Sliver of Hope?
Spencer did leave room for the idea that P2E games could lead to some interesting developments. “I think sometimes it’s a hammer looking for a nail,” he quipped, hinting that while the technology is buzzing, the practical applications for gaming humans might need a bit more creativity and thought to flourish.
