Written by Marc Demar
We’re more than two years in and it has been one hell of a ride thus far. We’re talking about Somnium Space of course, which officially launched on February 20th, 2020.
There’s plenty to look at when you enter Somnium: Galleries, offices, stores, night clubs and even entire worlds are silent witnesses of a building frenzy that has shaped a new persistent reality. It’s virtual, but not less real than physical reality.
You may not always run into hoards of people in Somnium as it depends a bit on when you log in. But do not jump to the conclusion that ‘nothing much is happening’, a comment I see every now and then. If you take a little time to dive in and try to grasp what is actually being done, you will realize that history is in the making.
The Metaverse isn’t built overnight and it certainly shouldn’t be compared to a game whose success hinges upon the massive influx of players within the first months of its release. It can’t be emphasized enough: Somnium Space is not a game. Just like the internet is not a game.
So what exactly is happening then and why is it significant?
I am currently watching a history show called ‘Het Verhaal van Nederland’ (literally, The Story of The Netherlands). In the Bronze and Iron ages, and indeed until much later, much of what is currently The Netherlands was composed of wetlands, and constantly being flooded. “Smart people” headed for dryer pastures, but there were pioneers, hunters and later farmers, who settled there despite the difficult circumstances. Fast forwarding thousands of years, they began to construct dikes, dams and levees and created a land on which people could prosper and built cities. Today, The Netherlands is one of the most densely populated nations in the world. One of the richest also as well as one of the largest exporters of vegetables in the world, despite its miniature size of 41,865 km2 (16,164 square miles, less than a third of Florida) – of which 18% is water. Impressive.
I like to think of Somnium Space as a place for pioneers and first settlers. People who have a special drive and can see its enormous potential, even if others call it ‘a game’ and think not much is happening. Just like the first people in the Dutch wetlands, they know hard work is required to make it prosper. Their determination is unmistakable for prosper it will.
And if you look closely, you can see the relentless activity. Not only of the company Somnium Space, but especially that of the community. They build structures, entire immersive worlds and a Metaverse that is revolutionary. And it only takes a quick look at somnium events, a website which lists many events that are held in Somnium Space, to understand that it doesn’t stop with building activities.
Every single day there are activities, such as meetups, shows, gallery openings, NFT drops, concerts. And this does not include the numerous gatherings that take place spontaneously, either in VR, via the 2D client or using Somnium Web.
You’re invited to jump in around 22:00 CET every night and head over to the city center for the Daily Meetup and you are bound to run into plenty of people. After that follow them to dance the night away in one of the many disco clubs. Check out some NFT art in one of the numerous galleries. Perhaps you find a lovely piece you’d like to decorate your VR home with.
After the pioneers come the first movers. After the first movers come the masses. In the not so far future Somnium Space will be so densily populated that there will be a hustle and bustle of people milling in and around the shops, galleries, clubs and any other conceivable venue. Any time of the day.
We’re not quite there yet. But rest assured. The Somnium land is being prepared and developed.
What an amazing story.
