How (and why) to enter Decentraland?

A video-backed guide for "crypto newbies"

Disclaimer: this post is NOT intended for the crypto-native audience. This is for older folks like myself - who are curious, but would appreciate a bit more guidance.

For the impatient and visually-led - here’s the video:

Decentraland - the definition of “decentralized Metaverse”

Many people compare the Metaverse to Massive Multiplayer Online Games such as Roblox, Minecraft or Fortnite.

But this is true only on the surface. And a very thin one.

Everythng important is hidden below.

The more I dive into this world, the more I would compare it to a sovereign state, with its own:

1. Currency - $MANA

2. Visa - the “Guest” user

3. Residency - Web3 wallet

4. Economy - from Land owners to beauty parlors and ad agencies

5. Trade - internal and external marketplaces and exchanges

6. Governance - the Decentraland DAO (i.e. Decentralised Autonomous Organisation)

7. “Founding Fathers and Mothers” - the Decentraland Foundation

As you can see - this is radically different from what we know from history. Because it’s digital in nature, virtual in terms of the interface, decentralised in terms of governance - but so very, very real. Mostly, because of the money.

So, why bother trying?

The question people ask me most frequently is, unsurprisingly

“WHY? What’s in it for me?”

Realistically, compared to Roblox (thousands of games to play online with friends, and all of your friends play it) - Decentraland doesn’t have much to offer.

You can jump into a game to hunt some asteroids, hoping that you score a coin. You can play online 3D poker, black-jack or roulette - just like you can on gambling websites.

If you’re like me, and you want to be the first there and know the most - it’s like a new mega-city being built right in front of your eyes. So for me - I’m there as a journalist.

But the main motivation - is to experience the “real Metaverse” in its entirety - from acquiring your first MANA token, to getting your first collectible wearable, to voting in the DAO and helping shape the “State of Decentraland”.

So, if you want to know more, know it earlier than 99% of people - join me.

Ready? Here’s how

If you’re a “nooby noobster noob” - and even crypto is somewhat alien to you - let me break it down into painless steps

1. Your Metamask Web3 Wallet - one app that helps you access the metaverse, store your tokens and NFTs and more

   1. install a browser plugin

   2. setup your account

   3. follow the safety instructions

   4. install mobile wallet on your smartphone

2. Play.decentraland.org - the browser version of ‘DCL’

   1. this will be easier to access - but it puts more strain on your PC

3. Decentraland Desktop Beta - this is the downloadable, executable version which you can optimise to your PC’s performance

4. Run Decentraland

5. Run your mobile Metamask app

6. Login to DCL by scanning the QR code with your mobile wallet

7. Follow all the instructions and hit TAB (MENU) frequently

Here - I also created a video version of this (or rather - this post is a text version of what I said in the video) - an incomplete noob's guide to Decentraland [VIDEO]

A deeper dive

For thoose of you who get hooked like I did, there’s much more to explore.

I know this is a lot to ask from a user.

Because you see - we are at the stage of development where there are almost no “casual users” - only believers. So, one day the casuuals may start flooding in, following marketing campaigns of your brand - but for now - this required dedication.

So, once you get the gist of what’s going on, you may consider following the rabbit a little more:

1. Get some MANA

   1. It’s a good moment to try out Transak - the onlineramping system which allows you to buy crypto straight from your bank account

2. Explore the Decentraland ecosystem

   1. Market - https://market.decentraland.org

   2. Forum - https://forum.decentraland.org

   3. Join the DAO (you will need your Metamask)

   4. Join their Discord

   5. Follow them on Twitter - I guess this has been the best source of anything Decentraland, as the whole ‘DCL FAM’ seems to be hanging out there

3. Explore the Economy

   1. LAND trade and rental

   2. Design, architecture, infrastructure

   3. Building, creation, coding

   4. Wearables, Emotes, Names

See you there, hopefully :-)