How to Build a Presence in the Metaverse: A Guide

More and more people understand the value of securing and building a presence in the Metaverse. A VR domain/parcel is the new black, similar to when securing your domain and building a presence on the World Wide Web was a no-brainer.

We’re not talking about something fundamentally different. Rather, the Metaverse is a logical next phase in the technological development that started with the Internet. Somnium Space is leading the way with its VR first approach and efforts to seamlessly bridge experiences with the newly released Somnium WEB client. While full VR immersion is already enjoyed by many who own a headset, Somnium is at the same time preparing for the masses to take the jump into full VR when carrying VR glasses will be as normal as carrying a smartphone today. Make no mistake, the WEB client – Somnium Space – is paving that way.

With the WEB client anyone can access any parcel with a view clicks, using any device – without the need to install a client application. A simple URL does the job.

It’s off to a great start. According to Artur Sychov – founder and CEO of Somnium Space – parcels are visited via the WEB Client by an ever increasing number of people. It’s easy to understand why. For months on end people have been putting great effort in building venues, galleries, stores, landmarks, museums and more in Somnium Space. Until recently you could visit those in VR – provided you have a VR headset – or via the 2D client. The introduction of the WEB client made it even easier. The WEB client gives access to individual parcels and allow you to fully interact with people who are on that parcel, whether they joined via the WEB client, 2D client or in VR. That’s what we could call cross-reality interaction. Also, you can interact with objects such as tokenized artwork and from the WEB client jump right to the OpenSea marketplace to purchase an item if you wish to do so.

Now wouldn’t you want to prepare your business, gallery, shop, venue for this technological landslide? If so, keep reading. We will discuss the steps to follow if you are interested in securing your own slice of the Metaverse.

How to get your own slice of the Metaverse

It can seem a bit overwhelming at first. You love the WEB client and have visited a number of Somnium Space parcels perhaps. And you would like to secure your own presence. But how exactly do you go about this? Where to start? Install software? Build something? Where to get a piece of land to build on? Where to get help?

Let’s discuss your options. First of all, you should decide whether you want to do things yourself or get someone else to help you with setting up your presence in Somnium Space.

I want to purchase my own parcel and build something myself

Great choice and we’re here to help you understand the steps to take.

Join the Somnium Space community on Discord

Why do we start with this? Well, the Somnium Space community on Discord is a very friendly community always willing to help you with any questions or issues you may have. That’s why you should start here:

https://discord.gg/somniumspace

Here are some of the recommended channels:

#general-discussion – here you can introduce yourself, participate in general discussion about Somnium Space

#ask-questions – the perfect place to ask questions about anything Somnium Space. So if you are stuck, do not hesitate and post your questions. Guaranteed, someone will help you.

Read an article to introduce you to the main concepts and setup

If you are new to crypto currency and blockchain, the following article will introduce you to some of the basics. But even if you are not new to this, we suggest you read the article as it discusses the particular setup in relation to Somnium Space.

Somnium Space, Blockchain, Metamask, Coinbase and OpenSea: How it all works

Setup the main parts as described in the article

In case you haven’t already done so, make sure to setup the main elements.

Coinbase

Metamask

Somnium Space

OpenSea

Note that instead of using your bank and transfer funds to Coinbase and then to your Metamask wallet you can also deposit directly to your Metamask wallet via Wyre. We at Somnium Times have not tried that. Always do your own due diligence. We at Somnium Times neither recommend nor not recommend any particular platform. You are responsible and in charge of your own funds. Never forget that.

An advantage of Coinbase is that – when linked to your bank account – you will be able to withdraw money as well.

Purchase a parcel in Somnium Space

Once you have setup your Metamask wallet and connected it to both OpenSea and Somnium Space, you are ready to purchase your first parcel.

For this, go to the Somnium Space VR marketplace on OpenSea. Or open the interactive Somnium Space map to find parcels. From the map you can jump directly to OpenSea and even jump to parcels using the WEB client.

An alternative is to ask around in the Somnium Space community on Discord. Check out the #land-market channel in particular.

Once you have completed a transaction, the parcel (NFT) will be transferred to your Metamask wallet and on OpenSea you will see the parcel popping up under the ‘My Profile’ menu item (In Wallet tab)

A guide to Somnium Space

Before buying a parcel, it is a good idea to familiarize yourself with the geographical features of Somnium Space, what type of parcels are available and where. Again you can use the map. Also, a great resource is the following article:

A guide to Somnium’s best parcels (for you).

One note on the notion of distance in Somnium Space: In both VR mode and 2D mode, traversing Somnium takes time. This is a conscious decision by Somnium as it enhances the quality of immersion. Obviously, due to this, parcels close to Somnium Waypoint (central town and default spawn area) are particularly attractive. Remember however that with the introduction of the WEB client, even parcels far away from the center can be reached by anyone from any device with a simple URL. Keep this in mind and think about how you want to utilize your parcel(s) in the future.

Fire up the Somnium Launcher and PC Client and build a structure

The Somnium Launcher is the application that gives you access to:

VR client

PC client

2D client

The PC client contains a number of features, one of them being the ‘Builder’, which is the tool to use for building and uploading structures to Somnium Space.

For an introduction, refer to Somnium Space Builder: Getting Started

Note that the article refers to selecting a so-called Test parcel to build on. While you can always do that, what we suggest of course is that you select your very own parcel. Only builds on parcels you own can be uploaded to Somnium.

Upload your build

Uploading your build is the final step and makes sure that the structure on your parcel is uploaded to the Somnium Space servers and will show up in the Somnium Space VR world.

You can upload your build directly from the Builder. Note that it takes a short period (usually less than 1 hour) before your build appears in Somnium Space.

Check it out in VR, 2D and the WEB client

The most amazing moment is visiting your build. While nothing beats visiting in VR, go ahead and fire up the 2D client and walk over to your parcel. To see your building appearing as you approach it is a magical moment. To go from concept to entering your structure and check it out on the inside is a great and rewarding journey.

Do not forget the WEB client, the absolute easiest way for anyone to visit your parcel and build. Just fire up your Internet browser and enter: somniumspace.com/parcel/<your parcel #>

I want to purchase a parcel, but hire an architect

Sounds like a great choice. Not all of us have the time or energy to get into the building part. The great news is there are plenty of great builders and architects that can help you with this.

Follow steps of the ‘I want to purchase my own parcel and build something myself’

Before you can get an architect to build something for you, you need a parcel of course. Our suggestion is that you go through the setup as explained in the previous section up to and including the point where you have purchased the parcel on OpenSea. So this includes installing the Somnium Space launcher, setting up Coinbase, MetaMask and connecting your MetaMask wallet to OpenSea and Somnium.

Find and hire an architect/builder

For this, the Somnium Space community on Discord is your friend. Check the ‘Join the Somnium Space community on Discord’ step under ‘I want to purchase my own parcel and build something myself’ for the link.

Once you are logged in, go to the #hire-a-builder channel and post your request.

Simply ask whether someone is available and willing to build a structure for you. Most likely you will get a response from multiple people. Remember to discuss the following topics:

Examples of previous work from the architect/builder

Price ranges

Your requirements for the build/purpose of the build

Note that hiring an architect/builder is your own responsibility and neither Somnium Space nor Somnium Times can be held accountable for delivered work and to what extent it lives up to your expectations. Always do your own due diligence when it comes to selecting the appropriate party to assist you with the building of structures.

Give the architect/builder access to your parcel

Once you have found an architect/builder, ask for the person’s wallet address. You will need this to give the person in question access to your parcel.

Once you have the address, fire up the Somnium Space launcher and then the PC Client.

In the PC Client, select the ‘Parcels’ button at the bottom of the screen. Disable the other buttons so you see the following window. On the left you should be able to see a list with the parcels you own. Select the parcel you want to give the architect/builder access to and enter the wallet address in the ‘Parcel Renting’ field as shown below. Press ‘Start Renting’ after this.

This is all that is needed. The architect/builder can now access your parcel and start building.

Note that you at all time can stop the renting and that the parcel remains in your wallet at all times.

Revoke access to your parcel

As explained in the previous section, simply stop renting for your parcel in the PC Client.

You’re all set now. You have a presence in the Metaverse with a great build.

You can visit in VR, using the 2D Client or via the WEB Client using the link: somniumspace.com/parcel/<parcel #>

I want to rent a parcel and either build myself or hire an architect

Awesome. Renting is a good and easy way to get started!

Follow the steps of ‘I want to purchase my own parcel and build something myself’

Even though you do not want to purchase your own parcel, you should do some basic setup so you have a Somnium Space account and a connected wallet address with funds for renting a parcel.

To familiarize yourself with this and do the necessary setup, follow the steps in ‘I want to purchase my own parcel and build something myself’ until and including the step ‘Setup the main parts as described in the article’.

Note however that you do not have to connect your wallet to OpenSea if you are not planning to purchase a parcel. So you can ignore that part in the recommended steps.

Find a parcel to rent on Discord

Head over to the #rent-a-parcel channel and post your request.

A guide to Somnium Space

Before renting a parcel, it is a good idea to familiarize yourself with the geographical features of Somnium Space, what type of parcels are available and where. For this you can use the map. Also, a great resource is the following article:

A guide to Somnium’s best parcels (for you).

One note on the notion of distance in Somnium Space: In both VR mode and 2D mode, traversing Somnium takes time. This is a conscious decision by Somnium as it enhances the quality of immersion. Obviously, due to this, parcels close to Somnium Waypoint (central town and default spawn area) are particularly attractive. Remember however that with the introduction of the WEB client, even parcels far away from the center can be reached by anyone from any device with a simple URL. Keep this in mind and think about how you want to utilize your rented parcel(s) in the future.

Agree on the price and terms

There are plenty of people willing to rent out their parcels. Make sure that you have a clear agreement regarding price and terms to avoid any misunderstandings later on.

What will happen is that the person renting out the parcel will enter your wallet address in the parcel’s renting field. This effectively means you will have full access and can build whatever your want. The wallet address you supply should of course be the wallet address that is connected to your Somnium Space account.

Note that renting is your own responsibility and neither Somnium Space nor Somnium Times can be held accountable. Always do your own due diligence when it comes to selecting the appropriate party to rent from.

Build and upload your structure and visit it in VR, 2D Client and WEB Client

For this follow the following steps of ‘I want to purchase my own parcel and build something myself’

Fire up the Somnium Launcher and PC Client and build a structure

Upload your build

Check it out in VR, 2D Client and the WEB Client