A recent beta session was held for a new NFT-powered metaverse project called Otherside, created by the developers behind the Bored Apes Yacht Club NFT project. The event, named “Apes Come Home,” allowed NFT owners to see their NFTs in full 3D and access an exclusive digital clubhouse. However, the experience was underwhelming, with limited interactions and no chat support.
Otherside is a browser-based NFT metaverse MMO developed by Yuga Labs, the company behind Bored Apes and Mutant Apes. The project aims to support various NFT types and user-created games in the future. Despite selling $300 million worth of digital land in May 2022, the project’s graphics and performance during the beta test fell short of expectations.
Participants in the beta test were given a camera by a digital creature called “Koda” and set loose to explore the virtual world. Those who owned ape NFTs could play as their NFTs in the 3D environment, while others controlled generic avatars. The exclusive clubhouse, accessible only to ape NFT owners, was described as lackluster and not worth the high price tag of the NFTs.
During the event, players were limited to 60-minute sessions to explore the virtual world, likely due to the lack of engaging content. Despite plans to expand Otherside into a platform similar to Roblox or Fortnite, the high entry fee and lack of compelling gameplay or popular IP may deter potential users. The future of Otherside remains uncertain, with doubts about its appeal to a wider audience beyond NFT enthusiasts.
