Real Assets in the Virtual World: A Complete Guide to Metaverse Games and NFT Investment

Have you ever thought that one day, the items you own in the virtual world could be permanently owned just like real estate in the physical world? In the movie “Ready Player One,” the scenes where the protagonist drives flying cars and acquires treasures in the “OASIS” have already been partially realized in reality. However, most people have not yet realized they are experiencing a “simplified version of the Metaverse”—when you buy LINE stickers or share virtual goods in social groups, you are already participating in the virtual economy.

The real difference is: in traditional games, you purchase a “platform usage rights,” whereas in blockchain-driven Metaverse games, you buy “digital assets that truly belong to you and can flow across different virtual worlds.” This is the magic of NFTs.

The Metaverse and NFTs: The Infrastructure of the Virtual Economy

When discussing the Metaverse, NFTs cannot be ignored. But what exactly is the relationship between these two concepts?

The definition of the Metaverse originates from the 1992 science fiction novel “Snow Crash”—a virtual world parallel to the real world, where everyone has an online avatar. Contemporary understanding has evolved into: a visually rich virtual space supporting work, entertainment, shopping, socializing, and more. The key to making this space truly operate is blockchain technology and NFTs.

Venture capitalist Matthew Ball once said: “The Metaverse represents the fourth wave of computing, following mainframe, personal computing, and mobile computing.” This is not only a technological innovation but also a reconstruction of social and economic structures.

NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) in the Metaverse serve as a “digital ID card.” Based on blockchain technology, they provide irrefutable proof of ownership and scarcity for virtual assets. Through the immutability and decentralization features of blockchain, players in Metaverse games can finally:

⚠️ Sell game treasures — no longer locked in a server’s warehouse
⚠️ Commercialize virtual creativity — designers can sell virtual clothes, not just for personal use
⚠️ Own assets permanently — when a Metaverse game shuts down, your property and collectibles won’t become worthless

Traditional Digital Assets vs NFT Assets: The Fundamental Difference

To understand why many investors are willing to pay high prices for NFTs, it’s essential to clarify the fundamental differences between these two asset models:

How the Boom of Metaverse Games Shakes the Crypto Market

In the last bull market, Metaverse games and virtual world projects caused a huge wave. Decentraland and The Sandbox, two top Metaverse platforms, attracted countless players and investors to buy virtual land.

Data speaks volumes:

🚀 MANA tokens surged by 4,100% in the 2021 bull market, far exceeding Bitcoin’s gains during the same period
🏘️ Sandbox virtual real estate prices soared from 1,000 to 45,000, surpassing Taipei’s property price increases

What do these numbers reflect? A large influx of capital into the Metaverse gaming ecosystem, driving the entire cryptocurrency market upward. The relationship between the Metaverse and cryptocurrencies is highly correlated—“one prospers, the other benefits; one declines, the other suffers.”

But prosperity is always followed by decline. As the crypto market peaks and retraces, virtual real estate prices in Metaverse projects have plummeted, with many projects hitting new lows and experiencing 50% or more drops. Some niche Metaverse projects even face liquidity shortages, becoming abandoned.

What lessons does this offer investors? The long-term potential of Metaverse games still exists, as major tech companies (like Meta, Microsoft, Google) have already invested in this space. However, the short-term volatility is huge and can be deadly for inexperienced investors.

How to Participate in Metaverse Games? Practical NFT Trading Guide

For ordinary investors, developing their own Metaverse game is unrealistic. The most feasible approach is to buy and trade NFTs and invest in Metaverse-related project tokens.

Step 1: Choose an NFT trading platform

Many NFT platforms have emerged across major blockchains. To illustrate, we’ll use industry-leading platforms as examples. The core functions—browsing, buying, selling, bidding—are similar across platforms.

Step 2: Set up a digital wallet

You need a wallet to connect to platforms and manage assets. Currently popular options include MetaMask and other browser wallets, used for:

✓ Connecting to NFT platforms
✓ Buying, selling, transferring assets
✓ Storing cryptocurrencies

When first logging in, the platform will ask you to connect and verify your wallet. Follow the instructions to complete—this process is completely free.

Step 3: Purchase cryptocurrencies

To trade NFTs on Metaverse platforms, you need to hold mainstream cryptocurrencies like Ethereum (ETH). You can buy them on major exchanges and transfer to your wallet.

Important security tips:

• ❌ Never input your private key on unknown platforms (your private key is like a bank password)
• ❌ Don’t use the same password for all accounts
• ❌ Avoid “guaranteed profit” NFT airdrop ads

Step 4: Start buying and trading

Once on the platform, you can:

Buying NFTs:

• Browse different Metaverse projects and NFT collections
• Choose to buy directly or participate in auctions
• If the floor price is too high, try bidding lower (sometimes you can snag bargains)

Selling NFTs:

• Find your owned NFTs in your profile
• List for direct sale or auction
• Set price and duration, then list
• Once sold, cryptocurrencies are credited instantly

Many platforms also display others’ offers, usually below the market floor price. If you need quick cash or find the price reasonable, you can accept these offers.

Risks in Investing in the Metaverse

Although the prospects of Metaverse games and NFTs are attractive, risks should not be overlooked:

Liquidity issues: Not all NFTs are easy to sell. Many niche projects face a lack of buyers, making it hard to liquidate assets.

Scam projects: Some projects branded as “Metaverse” are purely hype, with no real application, relying solely on speculation. Once hype fades, prices can crash sharply.

High expertise required: Without deep knowledge of trading and industry, participating in unfamiliar projects is akin to gambling.

Advice for beginners:

1. Start with small funds to gain experience
2. Invest only in projects with clear use cases and reputation
3. Set stop-loss levels and avoid adding to losing positions
4. Maintain caution and avoid “get-rich-quick” fantasies

Comparing Metaverse Games with Other Investment Methods

The Future Outlook of Metaverse Games

From a technological perspective, virtual reality and artificial intelligence will become core drivers of the Metaverse. Economically, virtual economies will continue to expand within the broader economic ecosystem, spawning new business models and industry chains.

Future Metaverse games will no longer be isolated virtual worlds but integrated ecosystems connected with real-world economies. Relevant laws and regulations are expected to improve, lowering entry barriers and regulating market behavior. In the long run, the Metaverse could truly change how humans live, socialize, and conduct economic activities.

For NFTs, more innovative applications and supporting models are anticipated to better sustain the development of Metaverse games.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Are the Metaverse and NFTs really not scams?

A: While scams exist, mainstream and well-known Metaverse projects have real applications and are not just marketing hype. As a recognized development direction by mainstream capital, the Metaverse is rooted in genuine technological innovation.

Q: How risky is investing in the Metaverse?

A: All investments carry risks, and the Metaverse is no exception. Since NFT trading generally does not involve leverage, establishing good trading discipline and risk management allows you to enter and exit freely, provided liquidity is sufficient. The key is choosing the right projects, controlling positions, and avoiding greed.

Q: How much money do I need to start participating?

A: The threshold is relatively low. You can buy a single NFT for a few hundred to a few thousand dollars or invest in related project tokens. Remember: only invest within your risk tolerance, not borrowing or relying on retirement funds.