The Metaverse Wasn’t Killed—It Was Just Sleeping
The prices of metaverse tokens The Sandbox (SAND) and Decentraland (MANA) plunged by more than 90% after the bubble burst. By the end of 2022, these were seen as yet another artifact of the overhyped crypto market. However, under the surface, a second wave may be bubbling up.
- AI is revolutionizing digital reality in smart NPCs and evolving environments
- Big gaming companies like Ubisoft and Epic Games are exploring blockchain
- Big brands still invest in the metaverse
The metaverse isn’t dead—it’s pivoting.
Three Forces Fueling a Potential Comeback
1. AI is Making Virtual Worlds Actually Fun
The biggest criticism of early metaverses? Boring, empty worlds. Now, AI is changing that.
- ChatGPT-powered NPCs that hold real conversations
- A method of generating something
- SAND and MANA are integrating AI tools to boost engagement
2. Gaming Giants Are Testing the Waters
After backlash, major players are still working on blockchain gaming.
- Ubisoft’s Champions Tactics (an NFT-based tactics game)
- Epic Games allowing crypto integrations in Unreal Engine
If AAA games add metaverse features, demand for virtual property and items could increase.
3. Corporations Are Still Experimenting
Despite media’s metaverse failure headlines, big brands are still investing.
- Nike’s .Swoosh platform keeps releasing digital wearables
- Walmart patents metaverse shopping experiences
- Disney‘s blockchain team is still active as before despite the earlier layoffs
Which Metaverse Tokens Could Rise from the Ashes?
The Sandbox (SAND)
- It has the backing of Adidas, Snoop Dogg, & more
- The present activity of users is low
Decentraland (MANA)
- Pros: One of the world’s most established virtual worlds
- It requires serious engagement boosting
High Street (HIGH)
- Benefits of new virtual reality-integrated commerce technology
- Cons: Low liquidity, higher risk
ApeCoin (APE)
- Pro: Linked to Otherside metaverse by Yuga Labs
- Downsides: Large token unlocks may affect cost
Not All Metaverse Projects Will Survive
- Abandoned 2021 ICOs with no updates? Gone forever
- Pure hype coins with no utility? Still dead
- Only projects adapting to AI and gaming stand a chance
How to Position for a Potential Revival
- Try to buy low and sell high
- Keep track of relationships with game creators
- Steer clear of clones with low liquidity. Only focus on A-list projects
The Bottom Line
The metaverse of the future won’t look cartoonish like 2021. Instead, expect:
- AI-driven interactivity
- Gaming-first utility
- Corporate-backed commerce
Should that happen, early investors could benefit from 5–10X returns based on today’s depressed prices.
Only the strongest projects will make it through the transition.
