7 Alternatives to Decentraland: A Guide to Decentralized Virtual Worlds

Decentraland

vs.

Bitcoin

13

Decentraland and Bitcoin are both decentralized networks built on blockchain technology. Decentraland is a virtual world where users can create, experience, and monetize content and applications. Bitcoin is a digital currency that enables peer-to-peer transactions without any intermediaries. Decentraland allows users to explore an immersive 3D environment and build their own virtual worlds with customisable experiences. It also has features such as the Marketplace where users can buy and sell land parcels, the LAND Browser which gives users access to public areas created by other users, and the Builder which allows users to create their own experiences in Decentraland. Bitcoin is an open source digital payment system that functions similarly to traditional currencies but without a central bank or administrator. Transactions on the Bitcoin network are verified by miners who are rewarded with new coins for their efforts. Bitcoin also has features such as Lightning Network which facilitates instantaneous payments with low fees and SegWit which increases the block size limit allowing more transactions per second.

Decentraland

vs.

Sandbox

69

Decentraland and Sandbox are two virtual reality experiences, allowing users to create and explore interactive 3D worlds. Both platforms are powered by blockchain technology and feature a user-generated content system. Decentraland is a virtual world that allows users to purchase land and build whatever they like on it. The platform features an in-game marketplace where players can buy and sell digital assets, such as game items, in exchange for cryptocurrency. Players have the option of creating their own games or taking part in existing ones. Decentraland also has multiple social features, including avatars for players to customize and chat with other players. Sandbox is a gaming platform that allows players to create their own virtual worlds using voxels (3D pixels). Players can design their own characters, build structures, plant crops, mine resources, craft items, and even develop unique games within the sandbox environment. Sandbox also includes a user-friendly coding language that allows developers to create custom scripts that control how characters interact with the world around them. Additionally, the platform has built-in economic incentives such as rewards for playing certain games and rewards for completing tasks within the platform.

Decentraland

vs.

Gala

69

Decentraland and Gala are two popular virtual world platforms. Both offer a variety of features that enable users to explore, create, and interact with one another in a 3D environment. Decentraland is an open source platform that allows users to purchase land, build on it, and monetize their creations. It also offers a range of tools for creating interactive experiences such as games, avatar customization options, and the ability to share your work with others. The platform has its own digital currency (MANA) which can be used to buy land or items within the game. Gala is a closed-source platform that provides users with the opportunity to explore a fully immersive 3D world populated by avatars, animals and creatures from other realms. It also includes features such as mini-games, puzzles & quests as well as social features like chat rooms and events. Users can use the in-game currency (GALA Coin) to purchase items, build plots of land or customize their avatar. Overall both Decentraland and Gala provide unique experiences for their users but differ in terms of underlying technology and features offered.

Decentraland

vs.

Second Life

106

Decentraland and Second Life are both virtual worlds, but they offer very different experiences. Decentraland is a fully decentralized virtual world powered by Ethereum blockchain technology, while Second Life is a centralized virtual world owned and operated by Linden Lab. In Decentraland, users can purchase land parcels and develop them into whatever they desire or interact with the content that others have created. On the other hand, in Second Life users have their own personal avatar to explore and participate in activities such as playing games, meeting people from around the world, hosting events, buying items from each other's stores, creating content and much more. Decentraland allows for real ownership of digital assets on the blockchain which can be bought or sold for its native MANA token or Ether. In contrast, Second Life has its own currency called L$ (Linden Dollars) which is used to purchase goods within the game. Decentraland offers full control over your avatar’s identity and gaming experience while Second Life provides an array of social activities like roleplaying games, events and gatherings that you can join with your avatar.

Decentraland

vs.

Minecraft

36

Decentraland and Minecraft are both online virtual world games that allow users to explore, build, and customize their own 3D environments. Decentraland is a blockchain-based virtual world where users can buy land, create their own virtual experiences, and monetize them. In contrast, Minecraft is an open-world sandbox game where users can build structures out of blocks and explore the randomly generated world. Decentraland offers a greater degree of ownership for its users compared to Minecraft as it allows them to purchase plots of land that they can then customize and monetize in various ways. In addition, Decentraland features a variety of social activities such as in-game events and tournaments that players can participate in. In contrast, the focus of Minecraft is more on exploration and creativity rather than building businesses or participating in events. Players have an almost unlimited array of blocks and tools at their disposal allowing them to shape the environment however they choose. Additionally, there are no real stakes involved in playing Minecraft since it does not feature a currency system or any monetary rewards for completing tasks/achievements.

Decentraland

vs.

OpenSea

30

Decentraland and OpenSea are both blockchain-based virtual worlds that allow users to purchase virtual items, but they have different features. Decentraland is a decentralized virtual world built on the Ethereum network, where users own digital plots of land that can be used to create experiences like games and applications. OpenSea is a marketplace for trading non-fungible tokens, or NFTs, which represent digital items like artwork and collectibles. Both services offer users the ability to purchase digital items using cryptocurrency, but Decentraland also offers free exploration and creation of experiences, while OpenSea focuses solely on allowing users to buy and sell NFTs. Additionally, Decentraland allows users to build their own creations within the world itself, while OpenSea functions as an external marketplace where users can find various NFTs to purchase and trade.

Decentraland

vs.

Polygon

67

Decentraland and Polygon are both virtual worlds that exist on the blockchain and allow users to create, experience, and monetize their own content. Both platforms enable users to purchase land, build virtual assets and experiences, interact with one another in a 3D environment, and monetize their creations. Decentraland is a fully-immersive 3D world created using the Ethereum blockchain where users can own land in the form of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) or use tools such as the Decentraland Marketplace to trade them. Users can also create interactive experiences such as games or social hubs for other people to explore. In contrast, Polygon is a layer-2 scaling solution for Ethereum that provides developers with access to an easy-to-use platform for creating gaming dapps and NFTs in a low cost environment. It enables developers to deploy smart contracts quickly on its Layer 2 sidechains while also providing support for asset creation and management, user authentication, messaging systems, payment systems, game logic and more. The main difference between Decentraland and Polygon lies in the type of applications they support; Decentraland is focused on building immersive 3D experiences whereas Polygon is more focused on gaming applications.

Decentraland

vs.

Roblox

25

Decentraland and Roblox are both virtual world platforms that offer users the ability to create and explore digital environments. Both sites allow users to customize their avatars and interact with other players in a variety of ways. However, there are some key differences between the two platforms. Decentraland is built on blockchain technology, meaning it is powered by cryptocurrency transactions. This allows users to have more control over their assets in the virtual world, including land ownership, trading of non-fungible assets, and development of user-created content. Roblox offers a wider range of activities than Decentraland, such as playing games created by other users or building structures for others to explore. It also has an expansive library of pre-made game elements that can be used in custom game builds. Additionally, Roblox includes social features like group chats and friend requests that help foster community interaction outside of game play. In summary, Decentraland provides users with greater control over their digital assets while Roblox offers more activities and social features within its virtual environment.