How will the metaverse, blockchain games and NFT market develop in 2022 according to Newzoo

Newzoo spoke about five trends that can be observed in the market of metaverses, blockchain games and NFT in 2022. Analysts believe that gamers will gradually adopt these technologies, and major brands will actively buy up virtual land.The Sandbox

Gamers’ Attitude to Blockchain Games Will Change

Now most of the core players have a negative attitude towards NFT and blockchain.

Suffice it to recall the scandalous announcement of the NFT platform from Ubisoft. However, Newzoo is confident that this will change soon — including thanks to the appearance of games in this area with deeper gameplay and advanced graphics.More and more AAA companies will begin to be active in this market.
For example, Andrew Wilson, CEO of Electronic Arts, said in a recent conversation with investors that NFTS “will become an important part of the future.” The heads of other large companies are also actively talking about NFT.According to Newzoo, the threshold for new players to enter NFT titles should also decrease in 2022.
Now you need to pay hundreds of dollars just to start playing Axie Infinity. However, analysts are confident that such games will soon become available to an even wider audience.There will be even more M&A deals related to metaverses on the market

Like any other young market, metaverses attract increased investor attention.

Large companies that are already developing in this direction will seek to strengthen their positions through new strategic acquisitions.The same consolidation tendencies that have been observed in the gaming industry as a whole in recent years will be noticeable in the metaverse market.
Small players will also strive to unite in order to stand together against large companies.In addition, it is relatively cheap to invest in metaverse-related startups now.
Analysts believe that the big players will forge iron while it’s hot and actively look for companies for acquisitions.NFT companies will become luxury brands

NFTs are gaining popularity among celebrities — especially the Bored Ape Yacht Club collection of digital monkeys.

Artists such as Eminem, Snoop Dogg and many others have already invested in it.According to analysts, such interest from influencers can increase consumer demand for NFT among a rich audience.
They can become a status symbol in society.Social networks are also investing in this direction.
Twitter, which is used by many NFT evangelists, recently added the ability to display purchased tokens in their profiles.Fashion brands will be at the forefront of this race

Clothing manufacturers are among the market leaders in creating the so—called digital identity within the emerging metaverses.

For example, Balenciaga has made a collaboration with Fortnite to release digital skins dedicated to the new clothing collection. According to Newzoo, such initiatives will play an important role in how players will express themselves inside virtual worlds in the future.
This year, there will only be more collaborations between fashion brands and metaverses.Large companies will continue to invest in NFT.
In December, Nike bought RTFKT, a company that specializes in the production of digital sneakers. Adidas has released a virtual collection in partnership with Bored Ape Yacht Club.Buying virtual real estate as a consequence of the lost profit syndrome

Newzoo notes that we are now witnessing the beginning of a gold rush to buy virtual land.

Companies are increasingly investing in this area, trying to gain a foothold in the emerging market ahead of competitors.In addition, the maintenance of real stores in connection with the pandemic is becoming more expensive for many manufacturers.
Therefore, some retailers are seeking to expand their presence in the virtual space in order, in theory, to gain access to an even wider audience.Recently, Adidas acquired land in The Sandbox, where it will host branded content.
And Republic Realm bought a plot in the same game for $4.3 million to build a virtual shopping center there. According to analysts, there will only be more such deals in 2022.