When discussing Web3 and the Metaverse, it's easy to get stuck on abstract technical concepts. In reality, these two domains have long moved beyond theory, taking root in scenarios like gaming, virtual real estate, digital fashion, and social interaction. Through these real-world case studies, we can clearly see how they are reshaping online interaction and entertainment models, turning 'digital ownership' and 'immersive experiences' from slogans into reality.

1. Blockchain Gaming: From 'Playing Games' to 'Play-to-Earn,' Assets Truly Belong to Players

Gaming is one of the most mature application scenarios for Web3, with the core transformation being the transfer of 'asset ownership':

  • In traditional games, ownership of items, currency, and character skins belongs entirely to developers—players only have 'usage rights.' In blockchain games, these items exist as NFTs or crypto tokens, giving players true control—they can freely trade, sell, and even use them across platforms.

  • The popular 'Play-to-Earn' model allows players to earn real income while having fun. The most iconic example is Axie Infinity, a Pokémon-like game where each 'Axie' creature is a unique NFT. Players earn tokens redeemable for real-world currency by battling or breeding Axies.

  • Around 2021, many players in countries like the Philippines relied on earnings from this game to make a living, becoming a hallmark of the 'Play-to-Earn' phenomenon. Although the Axie hype later subsided, exposing risks of virtual economic contraction, it also proved the real value potential of game assets.

  • Today, blockchain games span collectible card games, MMORPGs, and more. As of 2025, millions participate daily. Major gaming companies are also entering the space, integrating Web3 elements into existing ecosystems.

2. Virtual Land: 'Prime Locations' in the Digital World—Build, Rent, Trade

Spending money on 'land in virtual space' may seem unbelievable, but in the metaverse, digital real estate has become a hot asset. The core logic is 'scarcity + usage rights':

  • Virtual land exists as NFTs, allowing owners to build scenes (e.g., art galleries, clubs, shops), rent them out for income, or trade them like physical property.

  • Decentraland is a leading platform for virtual real estate. Many brands buy plots to set up virtual stores or host promotions to attract online traffic. Previously, a plot in its fashion district sold for $2.4 million in cryptocurrency, with the buyer planning a virtual fashion shopping zone.

  • In The Sandbox, investors have bought land adjacent to celebrities (e.g., Snoop Dogg's virtual mansion) purely for exposure and social prestige.

  • Beyond high-profile cases, regular users spend $10–$100 on land in emerging metaverses—either to create personalized projects or bet on future appreciation. This mirrors early domain or real estate investing. At its core, it's the implementation of Web3's 'digital property rights': you truly own a piece of the virtual world and can manage it as you wish.

3. Virtual Avatars & Digital Fashion: Digital Identity with Tradable Assets

In the metaverse, your virtual avatar is your 'digital self,' and Web3 turns this identity into a tradable, collectible asset, giving rise to the digital fashion industry:

  • No longer confined to fixed skins in one game, you can buy or mint unique virtual clothing and accessories on the blockchain as NFTs, usable across different metaverse platforms.

  • The Metaverse Fashion Week in Decentraland has become a key stage for digital fashion—major brands and indie designers release limited-edition NFT clothing, often sparking collecting frenzies. Owning rare virtual garments is like having limited-edition luxury items in real life—a status symbol for digital identity.

  • Profile picture NFTs (e.g., CryptoPunks, Bored Ape Yacht Club) integrate into this ecosystem: holders use them as social media avatars to signal identity and directly as their metaverse avatars across platforms.

  • The core logic: digital identity is becoming a controllable asset. As online socializing grows, investment in virtual appearance is as common as buying skins in Fortnite—but with Web3, these 'skins' truly belong to you and can be resold for profit.

4. Immersive Social: Shared Virtual Experiences Beyond Geography

One of the metaverse's core potentials is breaking geographical barriers to create social experiences impossible in reality, with Web3 adding 'ownership' to the mix:

  • Entertainment socializing: Decentraland has hosted virtual music festivals and art exhibitions, with global users participating via avatars in real-time. During the pandemic, such 'contactless' events saw massive engagement.

  • Practical socializing: Virtual conferences and trade shows are emerging, with participants networking via avatars. Virtual tourism and zen gardens allow friends to gather across borders in digital spaces.

  • Web3 innovation: Users can own social venues or items within them. For example, build an exclusive club on your virtual land and charge crypto entry fees, or sell NFT tickets for virtual comedy shows or concerts.

  • These communities resemble Web2 social networks but with added immersion and asset ownership—you're not just a 'participant' but potentially a 'venue owner' profiting from community operations.

These cases prove Web3 and the metaverse are no longer abstract: gamers turn time and effort into tradable assets; investors build businesses in virtual worlds; fashion enthusiasts design and trade digital clothing; ordinary people share immersive social experiences across distances. We are witnessing the prototype of a new digital society—with its own economy, culture, and both opportunities and risks. These risks and opportunities will be explored in depth in the next section.