Are Virtual Pets in the Metaverse Here to Stay or Just a Pandemic Fad?

The Rise of Virtual Companions

Remember when we were all lockdown buddies with our sourdough starters? It seems like we’ve outgrown the bake-off era and moved on to adopting digital pets! Research reveals that during the COVID-19 outbreak, the quest for furry companionship didn’t stop at pet stores—it leaped straight into the metaverse. The question is: are these virtual pets a growing trend, or are they just a COVID quirk?

Entering the Metaverse: How to Acquire Your Virtual Pet

The metaverse is shaping up to be the next big frontier of the internet, and adopting virtual pets is just one of the many attractions. Interested? Here are some ways to bring your digital best friend home:

• Open Worlds: Platforms like Decentraland invite you to adopt a puppy for virtual walks or own a fish that decorates your digital dresser. Because every virtual home needs a little splash of water!
• NFT Marketplaces: Consider purchasing an NFT image of your dream pet on platforms like OpenSea. Just don’t forget it only exists in the digital realm; no furry cuddles provided.
• Hybrid Projects: Enter ClassicDoge, where you can scan your real pet into a 3D avatar and whisk them off to the metaverse! Finally, you can walk your beloved dog—even in the afterlife.

The Voices Behind the Revolution

Saylor Howell, a wizard of growth and partnerships at ClassicDoge, believes that the pandemic was merely a catalyst for an inevitable trend.

“If you look at the facts, the world is changing, and the metaverse is ripe for virtualization of what we hold dear.”

In her view, this innovative leap is paving the way for deeper connections with our digital companions. Plus, you never have to worry about stepping in something on your living room floor!

The Meteoric Rise and Fall of Interest

Despite the initial spike in curiosity for NFT pets, the buzz has hit a plateau. Web traffic data shows that searches related to virtual pets peaked at over 636,000 in October 2021, only to take a nosedive to around 246,000 by December. It seems after the pandemic hustle, people are left wondering if they really need virtual tails wagging in their lives.

The Nostalgic Value of Digital Pets

Before VR pets, many of us had our digital heartstrings tugged by a little creature called Tamagotchi. These pocket-size responsibilities set the stage for today’s craze, garnering over 125,000 visits to their site in December 2021—an almost 750% increase from a mere two years prior. Clearly, the charm of trusty digital companions is evergreen!

Are Virtual Pets Here to Stay?

Industry experts, including NFT enthusiast Matty DCL, firmly believe digital companions have a solid future ahead. So whether you want to feed a virtual dog or walk a cat in augmented reality, these pixelated pets are positioning themselves as essential metaverse companions. To that end, strap in for the ride—it’s going to be a wild, tail-wagging adventure!