Virtual Reality and Blockchain Tech Convergence: Feeding My CryptoKitty a Treat in a Virtual Decentraland Metaverse
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Virtual reality continues to be a hot topic in the world of tech as more startups are formed and new technologies see the early days of VR integration. Those of us operating on a day-to-day basis in the cryptocurrency community understand the power of blockchain tech while exhibiting an explosion of startups leveraging VR to raise capital via initial coin offering. However,nothing quite measures up to the uniquely creative virtual platform that Decentraland has become along with other innovative projects like CryptoKitties.
Digital objects now gain an identity through blockchain and other technologies integrating with virtual reality will allow for a deeper immersive experience. One example of a technology which will be able to integrate with VR are projects utilizing the Non-fungible Token (NFT) standard, ERC-721, which is turning out to be quite an interesting development.
CryptoKitties is an example of a Non-fungible Token based on ERC-721token standard — innovation on the Ethereum network. Each CryptoKitty contains unique ‘cattributes’ which are wrapped or ‘tokenized’ within the NFT which represents the unique ‘cattribute’ data making up that CryptoKitty — the unique CryptoKitty’s identity. This is separate from the ERC-20 standard which is the Fungible token standard — each one is just like the next, indistinguishable.
Crypto Composables, ERC-998 — ERC-721 Ownership Over Other ERC-721 AND ERC-20 Tokens
Ethereum’s community created ERC-20 — indistinguishable tokens. Developed ERC-721 — unique data represented by a token, each one distinguishable from the next. Now, Matt Lockyer has submitted Github proposal for ERC-998 standard for ‘Crypto Composables,’ which will allow for ERC-721 tokens to own/possess other ERC-721 and ERC-20 tokens.
The image above includes one example of the functionality the ERC-998 standard adds to the network. I don’t know about you, but I like the idea of these unique CryptoCollectibles turning into more than just collectibles, demonstrating innovative technology in the process. The entire Ethereum blockchain has truly become a platform for innovationas individual community members and teams emerge with new proposals like this.
I can’t find the URL for the life of me, but I recently stumbled upon either a comment or article on the ERC-998 proposal — maybe a Tweet? But it went something like:
“Is there a way to allow my CryptoKitty to consume something that fundamentally changes the genes or cattributes of the CryptoKitty? I.e. probability of catching a lifetime boost, sickness or new gene for that CryptoKitty from eating the tokenized shrimp treat.”
This…is…AWESOME! I was not at all a fan of CryptoKitties when it launched as (despite being a NeoPets user back in the day) I didn’t see the emerging value in creating digital ‘CryptoCollectibles,’ but it’s become very clear that the value in CryptoKitties comes from the underlying ERC-721 Non-fungible Token standard which gives each CryptoKitty a unique identity — the foundation for more complex token standards.
In order to better understand crypto composables, here are explanatory articles from Matt Lockyer who originally submitted the ERC-998 proposal:
- Introducing Crypto Composables
- Crypto Composables — Building Blocks and Applications
- ERC-998 Github Proposal
- ERC-721 Github Proposal created by William Entriken
Walking Down Genesis Plaza With Your CryptoKitty
ERC-998 enables a CryptoKitty to own other tokenized objects (including other CryptoKitties or CryptoCollectibles) which can be 3D modeled into a virtual world and equipped or worn by a CryptoKitty.
Now, imagine you could feel your CryptoKitty and other objects while interacting with it in the virtual world of Decentraland. The Genesis Plaza reference is from Decentraland’s first ever Genesis City in which the users own virtual land parcels that make up the city.
The technology in the video above has a long way to go before it can be used in the capacity I will describe below, if it would ever even be considered in this capacity by professionals familiar with the tech. I’m not a programmer nor a tech expert, but am educated in business and try to make as much sense of the technical side of technology in order to envision what could be possible — we need dreamers to encourage the flow of innovation without fear of failure.
This sort of ultrasound technology interests me because I can imagine a Decentraland experience looking like:
- equipping my VR headset,
- giving a ‘sit’ order,
- taking out a CryptoKitty treat in the virtual first-person interface,
- feeling the treat in my hand while giving it to the CryptoKitty and
- then petting my CryptoKitty for listening.
At the same time, there is already a technology that gives real-world feelings to virtual reality interactions called a haptic suit. Although, I am unsure if this suit simulates something as simple as holding a treat in hand or petting a kitten, but it sure is an advanced piece of technology! The TeslaSuit:
The haptic suit technology produces a similar user feeling as the very early Sega Dreamcast Rumble Packs pictured below.
This piece of technology, the Sega Dreamcast version in particular, came out in 1999and was a gaming accessory attached to the user controller in order to enhance the user experience. For instance, playing Mario Carts and bumping into another user’s cart would produce a vibration from the control, simulating in-game friction.
Since there isn’t yet a solid mass adoption price for virtual reality headsets, I can’t imagine this sort of haptic suit technology will be affordably priced anytime soon; however, it’s very clear that virtual reality games will integrate these types of hardware accessories as the price lowers and user experience quality increases.
More Virtual Reality Related & Blockchain Articles From CrowdConscious:
- Binance Does It Again: Passes Deutsche Bank Quarterly Profits, Continues Leading With Token-based Exchange Model
- Decentraland’s Virtual LAND Sale Stats — First half of April
- IDEX, Ethereum’s Superior Decentralized Exchange and EtherDelta Alternative
- Can Less Capital Raised Mean More For ICO Investors?
Closing Out This Thought Piece
Blockchain makes it easier and cheaper to more safely transact with an immutable record of all transactions within the network.
Virtual reality gives us the ability to indulge in experiences we otherwise may have never been able to.
Other technology like Sega’s Dreamcast Rumble Pack has likely contributed to the development of haptic suits which, with ultrasound technology, can potentially bring about a deeper immersive user experience than haptic suits already do today.
This article was a lot of fun to put together and, while it’s not extremely organized, I think early adopters of VR and blockchain technology will have a better chance of following.
What do you think of the ideas within this article? Do they make sense? Can you imagine this being a reality? Would you like me to explore any other areas of tech converging with VR?
Follow along as I continue to explore the rapidly advancing world of technology and do my best to bring it to a screen near you!
Below are some resources for beginning cryptocurrency enthusiasts or others interested in something new:
The links below include affiliate/referral links which help support me as a writer. I do not get paid to write and this is my only means to generating income for writing. Thank you in advance and hope these resources are helpful to you. I only include resources in this list that I have used in the past.
- History of Cryptocurrency Exchanges — insightful look into the token-based exchange model and how exchanges have evolved.
- CoinPayments — Receive and make payment via 70+ different cryptocurrencies — the crypto-PayPal.
- CoinTracking — Your personal Profit / Loss Portfolio Monitor and Tax Tracker for all Digital Coins or cryptocurrency. Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, altcoins, etc.
- Changelly — the ultimate fiat-cryptocurrency exchange to buy/sell instantly with credit cards, for anybody, anywhere.
- HitBTC — great exchange for trading various cryptocurrencies and operational since 2013.
- Gate.io — Cryptocurrency exchange listing new coins — get 10% off trading fees if you register with this link.
- LinkCoin — Your ticket to using LinkCoin, Bibox, and Bibox365 exchange products and ICO’s — mainly Asian cryptocurrencies that are not available on other exchanges.
- CEX.io — Buy Bitcoin w/ credit card, ACH bank transfer, SEPA transfer, cash, or AstroPay. Credit purchases are instant.
- CoinMama- purchase Bitcoin and Ethereum w/ credit/debit cards & using cash through WesternUnion on their platform. Best for Euro purchases.
- Cryptocurrency Resource Telegram Channel — Telegram channel dedicated to providing beginners or experienced cryptocurrency traders with alternative resource options. Exchanges, hardware wallets, tax resources, etc.
- Ledger Nano S — multi-cryptocurrency cold hardware wallet supporting Bitcoin forks. Keep your coins safe and offline. Cold storage.
- Kucoin Exchange — Binance’s ‘little brother.’ Very similar with trading competitions and whatnot. Revenue share token as well!
- Exmo Exchange — just launched their own coin and adding robust features to the trading platform.
- Binance — the up-and-coming cryptocurrency exchange that has truly entered as a leader among exchanges. Tons of benefits, a trader’s must-see.
- CoinMate — great Bitcoin Exchange for those who reside in Europe, the EU and surrounding area. Very easy to understand.
- Huobi Exchange — newer Asian-based exchange, many new tokens.
- InvestFeed — Follow along on InvestFeed to get the best cryptocurrency project news. The go-to social platform for crypto enthusiasts.
- NonFungible.com — CryptoKitties, CryptoPunks, Etherbots, Etheremon, Decentraland land marketplace sales and more CryptoCollectible Non-fungible token (NFT) price history.
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