Metaverse Fundamentals and Economics

This unit introduces foundational concepts, vocabulary, and reference material for navigating the metaverse economy and social landscape. Students explore how currency, NFTs, business challenges, and demographic factors shape metaverse experiences while learning to locate and assess authoritative sources to inform design and development work in later units.

Learning Objectives

• Demonstrate knowledge of core metaverse terminology by accurately defining and categorizing key concepts (e.g., avatar, spatial computing, interoperability, virtual land, and digital identity).
• Analyze how currency and transactional models operate in metaverse environments by comparing at least three approaches (fiat gateways, cryptocurrencies/tokens, in-game currencies/NFT-based ownership), including benefits, risks, and implications for ownership and security.
• Evaluate business challenges and demographic considerations affecting metaverse adoption by producing a stakeholder-impact summary that identifies barriers, opportunities, and recommended strategies for at least three different industry or user-group contexts.
• Apply research and source-evaluation skills to discover, assess, and annotate references from the unit materials, producing a curated bibliography of at least five credible sources with concise justification of their relevance.