The Gamer Generation: How can we build the metaverse we want to inhabit?
In the past few years, there has been a lot of talk about this elusive thing called the metaverse - what it is, what it isn’t, how close we are to achieving it in the true sense of the word, what even is the true sense of the word, and how can we each stake our claim in this new frontier of possibility. That word has entered the cultural dialogue in such a way that it’s inching closer to what we like to call the “buzzword watchlist” — not an eye-roll level buzzword quite yet, when it becomes so frequently thrown around that it starts to lose its impact — but we hear it so much these days that it’s sometimes easy to forget to reflect on what it truly means.
When we started Supersocial two years ago with the tagline “Games for the Metaverse”, a very small percentage of people had even heard of the concept. In fact, we were advised several times to remove that word from our new company’s tagline because of how niche and obscure it was at the time. This seems laughable now, when that word has become almost synonymous with the future of technology, and even some of the skeptical dinosaurs of the corporate world are starting to preach it as the next big thing.
For our team at Supersocial, as well as for all the other companies creating content, technology, and services for the emerging metaverse, it’s important to recognize that we are on the front lines of this tectonic shift — and this means that we hold in our hands both the privilege and, more importantly, the responsibility to mold this metaverse clay into something truly special.
Of course, just like in any business, there will always be projects with questionable intentions that contaminate the zeitgeist, generating a sense of paranoia and apocalyptic thinking around an impending cultural shift. This is especially happening in the rising realm of web3. But that very phenomenon is exactly what inspires our team to become pioneers in the space. Because while it’s still taking shape, that means we get to shape it.
When starting to conceptualize NFTV, a game station for web3 where you play with friends and NFTs, we focused not only on capitalizing on the strengths of our team members, but on each of our personal aspirations for what kind of metaverse we want to inhabit. And then go build exactly that.
So, how exactly do we craft our own version of the metaverse? By leveraging our team’s strengths to build a web3 experience of which we ourselves would be avid consumers. We became our own target audience. So when we say we’re building a version of the metaverse for Millennials and Gen X , it’s because we are a group of Millennials and Gen X who wish this metaverse already existed. One that isn’t just fun for us, but for ALL generations. A metaverse that is bold, yet approachable. Lighthearted, yet meaningful. Forward-thinking, yet nostalgic. Fun, yet informative. Because that’s where we want our virtual selves to live.
In our game station, NFTV, you will flip to your favorite channels to play wacky, unexpected, nostalgia-infused games with your friends and your NFTs — games that evoke that feeling of playing at an arcade together in the 80s, but with a 21st century spin. It’s a melting pot that will bring people together in web3. A bridge to connect the early adopters and the ones dipping their toes. It educates, delights, entertains, and brings a new kind of value to NFTs and their associated communities. With that, we aim to inch this movement forward in a direction we can be proud of.
Below, we share personal anecdotes from some of our team members to illustrate the greater purpose of our project — and how its essence comes from each of our own personal experience coming of age in the gamer generation. This is the mentality that we channel every single day as we seek to create something totally new, something that hopefully inspires everyone else to do their part in building a metaverse that is positive, inclusive, safe, and most importantly — fun.
"I vividly remember the first time I put my hands on a Game Gear, connected to a magnifying class and playing Sonic the Hedgehog. The colors, the gameplay, the soundtrack — my brain was exploding with joy and life was never the same again. I'd like to bring that level of joy and excitement through the games and experiences that we're building with NFTV and inspire millions of people to socialize, play and express themselves in a whole new way, immersed in a user-owned metaverse.” - Yon, CEO
“The reason I’m obsessed with video games is that they make me feel like I get to exist in a parallel universe for a bit, simulating a life different from my own. The Sims was the first game I ever played intensely and remains my favorite even after 20 years, because of all the different ‘lives’ I get to simulate when playing that game. It offers both a form of escapism and a sense of endless possibility. I hope that when people browse through the different channels of NFTV, they are able to find games that help them feel more connected with others and with themselves. Translating that sense of wonder to the metaverse medium in web3 is something our entire team is passionate about, and we will not stop until we’ve created something magical.” - Luiza, Creative Director
“My parents didn't understand why as an only child I needed my own gaming system so as a kid I had two options: go to the arcade and sink my allowance into Turtles in Time one quarter at a time, or go to my best friend's house. But my best friend's family had 3 kids and most of the great games ONLY HAD THREE SAVE SLOTS. 😢 My saves were the first to get wiped, but this didn't deter me and every time I went over I would diligently start a new town in Animal Crossing or start a whole new Final Fantasy adventure. A lot of us that grew up in the golden age of gaming (the whole NFTV team) are still gamers today and I am ecstatic to be a part of the next frontier. Things have evolved and we are not limited by just two controllers or three save slots anymore!” - Marisa, Director of Product
“I want the same feeling I had walking through the doors into a Showbiz Pizza/Chuck E. Cheese in 1984. I want to smell cheese pizza, hear the cacophony of every arcade machine turned up to 11 and then to drop everything to go watch Rock-afire explosion. Then I want to clean-up on Skeeball tickets so I can finally get that pencil eraser I've always wanted.” - Chris, Principal Designer
“The first time I had friends over to play the Atari. We had Asteroids, Pac Man, Donkey Kong, Dig Dug. It was like an arcade in our house! The only problem was our parents couldn't get kids to go home. I want us to create game experiences that provide a community atmosphere.” - Lee Ann, Art Lead
“The crazy thing about videogames is that they can create amazing memories that last forever. I remember like it was yesterday when we went to the beach during summer vacations, but instead of going to the beach, my brother and I spent hours playing Donkey Kong Country together. I have vivid memories of the music from the game, the sunlight coming in from the window, the old school TV, and all the tangled cables from the controllers. That memory triggers such an amazing feeling that I wish I could go back in time. When I think about NFTV that’s the moment I want to live again, and we will channel that feeling with NFTV!” - Pedro, CFO
If you can relate to any of the stories above, or if you’re just looking for a fun way to engage with the world of web3 and NFTs, then you are ready to become a Tubehead like the rest of us! Stay tuned for more updates as we work to get NFTV on the air by subscribing to our Substack or following us on Twitter.
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