If you go by the decentralized description of the Metaverse (akin to early internet), there would eventually be millions or billions of virtual worlds in the Metaverse, like the near 2 billion websites currently in existence. Here are 7 main types that will likely exist for the VR part of the Metaverse:
Brand Lobbies
Think of this as brand search engines of the Metaverse. Environments that are a place of hiatus or being in limbo with links to various worlds likely within particular private networks. The lobbies will likely be for worlds within specific brands – a lobby for the “disneyverse” or “hershey world”. But they can also be a place for socializing with fellow fans of a brand. Some spaces will likely be for premium fans and heavily advertised within the lobbies.
User-generated spaces
Like personal blogs or websites on the internet, users will be able to create their own spaces with their own servers that connect to the broader Metaverse. Future creator tools will make assembling these worlds fairly simple if you have a vision of what you want. AI generation tools and an array of usable assets will speed this along.
Corporate platforms
Businesses will create virtual offices to build a sense of community and teamwork within their companies. Spaces can have a notable effect on the mindset of individuals so corporations that want to gather global talent can do so while maintaining a sense of closeness.
“Dark” worlds
Like certain websites on the dark web of our current web2 internet. These worlds can only be accessed through a specific browser (or lobby). Many might be illegal in one way or another. Virtual black markets. Or they’re trying to fight censorship. Or they are simply a place to go off-grid. To be an anonymous avatar not tied to your identity.
Event spaces
The Metaverse will largely be a collection of experiences. Virtual spaces that cater to creativity, outside the boundaries of resource scarcity or the laws of physics. People will host many events, and some worlds will be ephemeral and only exist for specific events. For profit there will likely be premium event spots in the Metaverse blocked by paywalls.
Decentralized communities
Some places will be completely outside the realm of corporations. A place for direct democracy from users. This will likely involve blockchain tech in some form. These will be powerful experiments in fully community-run spaces, with no obvious government outside the users themselves.
Shopping spaces
Virtual NFT marketplaces. Clothing stores for your avatar. Try before you buy spaces where you can later buy the physical version for yourself. The possibilities are boundless. Ecommerce is already a powerful force for the internet. Adding a spatial element to that will improve the whole experience.
It’s important to add gaming (esports, video games) as a huge part of the Metaverse. Not as its own section but as an add-on to everything else. Gamified experiences will likely seep into other types of worlds.