Whoever believes the term Metaverse is from the 2020s is deeply mistaken. The word first appeared in a science fiction novel back in 1992. Already then, the Metaverse was described as a sort of virtual reality in which people walked around as avatars. Consequently, many people believe that we will be wearing VR headsets and lying around on our couch all day in the future, spending our entire time in a virtual world. It should be clear that that is not the actual goal of the Metaverse. But what exactly is the Metaverse and what are its goals?

Put simply, the Metaverse is the link between our lives and a multitude of various technologies. This includes virtual worlds in which we can work, create, play and socialise. In the future, blockchain technologies, VR, AR and mixed reality technologies as well as NFTs (non-fungible tokens), robotics and artificial intelligence will be a part of it. The Metaverse is supposed to revolutionise surfing the web. Pictures, videos and texts have, until now, only been consumed. Now, users are going to be able to actually dive into the virtual world.

The international toy industry has also recognised the trend and is aware of the possibilities that the digital words offers with “MetaToys”. For example, through the entry into the Metaverse and the creation of NFTs or the use of virtual or augmented reality to bring products to life in the digital world. Beyond that, the Metaverse, Web 3, NFTs, cryptocurrencies & co. are explained to children (and adults).

Bitcoin Money: A Tale of Bitville Discovering Good Money

The book “Bitcoin Money: A Tale of Bitville Discovering Good Money” was written by Michael Caras and illustrated by Marina Yakubivska: It is a story for all ages and answers a question both adults and children ask: "Why Bitcoin?"

The book is set in a town called Bitville. The children in there realise they need a tool to help them trade with each other. As they are exploring different kinds of money, a strange boy moves to town and recommends a new kind of money - Bitcoin. The book is available in English, German, Italian, Spanish, French and Japanese.

Hot Wheels NFT Garage

In November 2021, Mattel brought out a new WEB3 project called Hot Wheels NFT Garage. A total of 40 different Hot Wheels NFT designs were offered in four different categories of rarity: Base (74.07% chance), rare (20.37% chance), premium (4.94% chance) and NFTH (0.62% chance). The rarer the NFT is, the higher the added value it offers its buyer. The NFT you actually receive is revealed only after opening a sort of lottery ticket or mystery box. While buying the NFT, you do not yet know which of the 40 designs you will receive.

The rare and premium cards can be traded in for physical special edition Hot Wheels. This leads to the possibility for fans to collect the most valuable, rare and flamboyant pieces of Hot Wheels art available. The NFTs are introduced in a partnership with the blockchain Wax.

The Power Rangers Digital Pop

In the 90’s, they were an integral part of childhood. Now, the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers are coming to the Metaverse as Funkos. The collection, named “The Power Rangers Digital Pop!”, was for sale on 23 August 2022 exclusively and is now available on various WEB3 marketplaces only. There are two different types of NFT card designs: standard and premium. Each type is limited to 22,500. Whoever buys one of the NFTs also receives one of six rare Digital Pops! The owners of these Digital Pops have the option to trade them in for an identical physical product without any added costs. Many figures are still available.

LEGO® Hidden Side Sets

The LEGO® Hidden Side Sets can be put together just like any other LEGO set. However, with the help of a free augmented reality app, smartphones and tablets are turned into ghost detectors! Junior ghostbusters aged 7 and up can then wander through the darker parts of the town of Newbury and go on a ghost hunt. The set is – according to LEGO – the only play experience currently available in which the augmented reality aspect is completely and seamlessly integrated into the actual building and game world.