Coming is “the era when more humanity is questioned” ── guitarist MIYAVI and others talked about the possibility of the Web3 metaverse | coindesk JAPAN | Coindesk Japan

Metaverse “Oasis TOKYO” scheduled to be released by Coincheck in 2023.An event to announce the winners of the “Oasis TOKYO x The Sandbox ‘Experimental Liberation Zone’ Creator Contest” was held on March 3rd.[受賞者インタビューなどはこちら].

At the event, a talk session titled “Top Creators Discuss the Possibilities of Web3” was held by samurai guitarist MIYAVI, voxel artist VEN Mashu, and Coincheck Managing Executive Officer Kensuke Amaha, who served as judges. , The speakers talked about their efforts on the Metaverse and NFT, and the possibilities they found there.

The reason for tackling is “because I want to be excited first”

As a guitarist, MIYAVI, who has traveled around the world on live tours and impressed his fans, was inspired by the “corona disaster” to further deepen his expression in the digital space. While it became impossible to hold a real live performance, they used VR and online distribution to deliver music and messages to fans.

Mr. MIYAVI said, “I started a virtual live while I was uncertain about whether I could perform live in the future, whether I could return to the original era, and so on. Making videos, etc. From now on, we plan to perform on the stage of “Oasis”.”

What kind of phase does MIYAVI see in the current Metaverse?

“I think we are at the stage where we are experimenting globally and doing trial and error. I am also thinking about what we can do within that. Time.Right now, the performance of the equipment and the line speed of the internet are still trying to catch up with what the software side is trying to do.We are still at that stage.I am also wondering what I can achieve as an artist. I want to do more and more (trial and error).”

Mr. MIYAVI explains why he is actively working on performance in the digital world as follows.

“Because I feel that there is something beyond that. I make a lot of mistakes and it’s tough, but whether it’s a virtual live or a world tour, it’s meaningful to keep doing it. I have a strong desire to leave something to the next generation as a reason for my existence.”

“The bottom line is, first of all, I want to be excited. The live performance at Kiyomizu-dera Temple included Japanese drums and shamisen, and I used drones to shoot, and I was able to express myself in a way that is unique to the virtual world. It made me realize that we are now in an era where we can do live shows on Twitch and other places from home, and individually send out messages to the world.”

Mr. MIYAVI, who continues to take on challenges, also commented on the future development of the Metaverse, saying, “I think that a movement will occur and something will be born when the dots are connected and everyone gets together. I have a great desire to play a part in that. That’s right,” he said enthusiastically.

The soil that “it’s okay to fail” creates challenges

Voxel artist VEN Mashu is currently providing support for artists looking to enter The SANDBOX. Mr. VEN used to plan and develop toys for children, but he was attracted to the fact that he could deliver his work directly to users under his own name instead of his company name, and he decided to commit to the world of Web3 and the Metaverse. It is said that he deepened the

One of the features of the metaverse “The SANDBOX” where Oasis TOKYO is deployed is that it is a platform. The world’s “towns” and “characters” are created by participating users, and there are infinite possibilities. Of course, there are sufferings and failures in creation, but The SANDBOX has a gentle atmosphere that accepts such things.

Mr. VEN said, “In the first place, the name SANDBOX means ‘sandbox’, and there is a soil that is okay even if it fails. The ‘Experimental Liberation Zone’ set up at Oasis TOKYO is the same, and I strongly sympathize with that. There is.” By maintaining such an attitude, we are pushing forward bold challenges.

How to face the “Metaverse” as an artist?

In the future, the Metaverse in a broad sense will surely develop. How will artists face that world?

Mr. MIYAVI said, “There is no way other than trial and error.”

“There is certainly potential there, and it is a matter of how we humans can adjust to it. In the world: Being able to communicate within the game and having a goal of achieving something in common with your friends has strengthened the value of the game as part of the metaverse. However, it has become more practical and easier to communicate with.(As a creator) I want to try expressions that can only be done within that worldview.”

Mr. MIYAVI also points out, “If the media changes, the way we express ourselves will also change.” He says, “Even in music, radio has its own expressions for radio, and TikTok has expressions for TikTok.

Coincheck Executive Officer Amaha said, “By using avatars in the Metaverse, you can be freed from the ties that you normally cannot escape, such as your own appearance. It’s also a good point that you can take on new challenges. ” says.

Amaha went on to say that people are inherently multifaceted.

“Until now, depending on who you are with at home, work, school, etc., your “personality” has changed little by little, and you should have used it differently. I think that in the future, a world will come in which people can use different personalities in different metaverses.”

It is said that various metaverses will appear in the future, but what kind of development will the “Web3 metaverse” show? Looking back on the excitement of NFT.NYC held in New York in 2022, Amo points out:

“At the NFT event, I was able to experience the community created by users who have NFTs from the same collection and the ‘feeling of being connected’ that exists there. If the NFT you have rises in price, there will be an economic return.Web3 The characteristic of the Metaverse is that it creates a cyclical economic zone.”

VEN also pointed out, “For example, no matter how much time was spent in traditional games, it did not lead to real-world benefits (except for professional gamers).” However, he said, “If there is an economic zone, the number of users and creators who will participate will increase. I think it will become a growth field in the future.”

What should we do now for the full-scale arrival of the Web3 metaverse?

So, what kind of preparations should creators and companies thinking about developing the Metaverse from now on?

Mr. VEN said, “It is very important to first gather information by participating in Discord and Twitter, and then “make your own statements”.” Mr. VEN himself launched the creator group “VOXEL RANGERS” to provide the necessary support for companies to enter Web3.

Mr. MIYAVI said, “In doing virtual live performances, I feel that the value of ‘perfect things’ is declining, and on the contrary, the value of things like humanity is increasing. By the way, you can compete.While I feel the possibility there, I think that what is required there is “self” and “what is oneself?” Conversely, if you do not have strong self, Nothing happens when you connect,” he said.

In the digital world, on the contrary, “individual power” will be questioned.

Mr. MIYAVI emphasizes, “First of all, what do you want to convey? It is becoming more important than anything else to fulfill that. We are now in an era where each person finds their own path on an individual level.” rice field.

MIYAVI, VEN Mashu and others served as judges “Oasis TOKYO × The Sandbox ‘Experimental Liberation Zone’ Creator Contest” 3 excellent work awards and author interviews from the following.

●IMAGINATION Award Mr. Air Lay

https://coincheck.com/en/article/559#i2

●ORIGINALITY Award Mr. Imakar

https://coincheck.com/en/article/559#i3

●CREATIVE Award” Mr. Büro

https://coincheck.com/en/article/559#i4

｜Text and editing: coindesk JAPAN
｜Photo: N.Avenue