Overview of DeSo, Music, and Metaverse Applications in the Polkadot Ecosystem

Polkadot is transitioning from a "chain-centric" approach to an "application-centric" approach. Recently, Polkadot's official website launched a Dapp page and introduced various applications in the ecosystem through social media. This article will focus on several representative applications in the Polkadot ecosystem in the fields of decentralized social (DeSo), music, and the Metaverse.

1. Social Applications

MeWe

MeWe is one of the largest decentralized social networks in the world, with over 490,000 active users. The platform was founded in 2011 and emphasizes a "privacy-first" philosophy, with no ads, no user behavior tracking, and no user data leakage.

In January 2024, MeWe partnered with Amplica Labs to migrate 500,000 active users to the Frequency blockchain of the Polkadot ecosystem, achieving a large-scale seamless transition from Web2 to Web3. New users will create a unique on-chain identity "Social Identity" upon registration, which can be used across the Social Web ecosystem.

Polkaverse

Polkaverse is the first decentralized social network built on Subsocial. Users can create spaces, post updates, etc., and most operations require the consumption of SUB tokens or energy.

Polkaverse recently launched a staking incentive feature:

• Lazy Staking: Users stake SUB to their favorite creators, and both parties can earn rewards.
• Active Staking: Continuing to interact after staking can earn additional rewards, up to 3 times.

Subsocial is a Substrate module that allows anyone to launch their own decentralized social network or add social features to existing applications. Currently, Subsocial operates as a parachain on Polkadot.

Grill Chat

Grill Chat is a privacy-focused group chat software developed on Subsocial, running on the xSocial chain, with messages stored on the IPFS network. After connecting your wallet, you can use features like NFTs, images, donations, and more.

Developers can integrate Grill Chat into existing products as a chat window. As a Web3 native product, Grill Chat facilitates the establishment of on-chain communities and user reputation systems, and supports multi-chain interoperability.

2. Music Applications

Beatport.io

Beatport.io is an NFT marketplace focused on electronic music, launched in collaboration between the electronic music platform Beatport and the Aventus chain of the Polkadot ecosystem. The platform has issued a series of NFTs related to electronic music, including the innovative "Sound Response NFT."

These NFTs can serve as interactive tools for fans of artists and record companies, offering additional benefits such as early listening and discounted ticket prices. Beatport.io implements email or Web3 wallet login through Aventus, as well as credit card and cryptocurrency payments, catering to both Web2 and Web3 user experiences.

Public Pressure

Public Pressure is a Web3 media platform that sells music and digital collectible NFTs. The platform was established in 2015 and transitioned to a Polkadot-based Web3 platform earlier this year, aiming to drive the music industry towards Web3.

The platform provides artists with opportunities for direct monetization and fan interaction, opens up new revenue models for record companies, and allows fans to become strategic partners of the artists. The music NFTs on its NFT marketplace are certified and protected by KILT.

Public Pressure has also partnered with Moonsama to launch music NFTs that can be used in Web3 games, introducing music as a game element for the first time in the Moonsama Multiverse.

3. Metaverse Applications

Bit.Country

Bit.Country is a Metaverse platform and infrastructure that allows users to quickly create their own Metaverse communities. It offers a complete set of tools, including a land economy system, map engine, video conferencing, NFT marketplace, and more.

Creators can set rules in their own Metaverse, attract members through incentives, create NFT markets, host events, etc. Bit.Country is compatible with various virtual machines, making it easy for developers to deploy existing Dapps or create new applications.

Cosmize

Cosmize is a virtual social platform in the Metaverse on Astar, developed by a company with 8 years of experience in the XR field. The platform includes the following key features:

• Conference Hall: Hosts large events, accommodating up to 250 participants.
• Private Room: Users can own and decorate their own room, inviting friends to gather.
• Sky City: The central building where various games and activities can be held.

Cosmize collaborates with multiple projects in the Astar ecosystem, allowing specific NFT holders to enter the Metaverse using exclusive characters. The platform's scene modeling is exquisite, and characters are customizable, but currently, the frequency of activities is limited.

Summary

The Polkadot ecosystem has achieved a high degree of application in decentralized social networking, music, and the Metaverse. Some projects are Web3 native, using tokens and NFTs as incentives; others have migrated from Web2 and collaborate closely with Polkadot's parachains. These projects focus more on the practicality of blockchain in areas such as privacy protection, user ownership, and anti-counterfeiting traceability, rather than the traditional Web3 incentive model. Whether this approach can gain market recognition still requires time to verify.