The ongoing debate about digital identity within the metaverse has generated a range of discussions and viewpoints. In response to this, Decentraland has taken a significant step forward. In a recent announcement on X (formerly Twitter), the platform introduced the concept of digital identities for avatars.
Users can now purchase unique “NAMEs” to serve as aliases, which are made available as non-fungible tokens (NFTs) that cannot be duplicated.
Each NAME includes an Ethereum Name Service (ENS) subdomain. “For instance,” Decentraland stated on X, “the name ‘Artemis’ would permanently have the ENS subdomain: Artemis.DCL.ETH.”
Decentraland NAMEs include an @ensdomains subdomain that requires no re-registration, ever.
— Decentraland (@decentraland) October 17, 2023
Think of an ENS subdomain as an additional wallet address tied to your DCL NAME.
For instance, the Decentraland name 'Artemis' would permanently have the ENS subdomain: Artemis.DCL.ETH. pic.twitter.com/wh6EPAlEP0
The cost of claiming a NAME is 100 MANA — Decentraland’s native token — which is approximately equivalent to $27.
With the introduction of NAMEs, Decentraland also ushered in the concept of “Worlds” — 3D spaces linked to Decentraland NAMEs that will exist independently of Decentraland’s Genesis City and its LAND system.
This innovation empowers users to create and build within Decentraland by simply owning a NAME. Moreover, by assigning a name to a parcel or estate, users can establish a unique URL, simplifying the sharing of their LAND with others.
Holders of NAMEs will also gain voting rights within Decentraland’s DAO — a pivotal component of the platform that defines its governing rules.
This development marks another stride by Decentraland in enhancing the user experience. The company has consistently pursued initiatives aimed at attracting more users and fully exploring the metaverse’s potential.
Last month, Decentraland introduced its annual music festival, themed “Rebirth & Regeneration,” promoting art and music in the metaverse.
More recently, Decentraland, in collaboration with Verse Digital and Metaverse Land, announced “AI World Fair,” a virtual conference within its metaverse, featuring influential speakers and an immersive gamified experience.
