This episode is a deep dive on all things metaverse, defining what the metaverse is, and what it isn’t; covering frequent misconceptions (and nuances) around how VR or virtual reality, videogames, and other applications relate (and don't relate) to the metaverse; and discussing how communities, fashion, sports, and more play here.  We also go into where crypto comes in -- including discussing trends in on-chain gaming, DAOs; themes like interoperability, composability; etc.  But we also go well beyond technology -- and into science fiction, the arts, low-fidelity design, narrative, and much, much more -- in this wide-ranging, hallway-style conversation between:Herman Narula, author of the new book Virtual Society: The Metaverse and the New Frontiers of Human Experience; Narula is also the CEO and co-founder of Improbable;Elena Burger, deal partner on a16z crypto (where she focuses on games, NFTs, web3 media, infrastructure, and more); Berger also wrote a thoughtful review of Narula’s book;...and host Sonal Chokshi (who also shares writings on topics such as "narrative collapse" and more as well as past episodes of the a16z Podcast with Narula on distributed systems at scale, gaming, and more).For more on metaverse from the a16z crypto, please see this piece.To order Narula's book, please select from here.---web3 with a16z is a show about building the next generation of the internet, from the team at a16z crypto. As a reminder, none of the content is investment, business, legal, or tax advice; please see a16z.com/disclosures for more important information, including a link to a list of our investments.

Herman Narula, CEO of Improbable, is on a mission to create an open metaverse. He discusses the technological frameworks required for this ambitious project and the vital role of blockchain in gaming. The conversation touches on tackling AI regulation, challenges in the gaming industry, and innovative economic models that empower developers. Narula emphasizes the need for ethical practices in crypto gaming and advocates for a democratically governed metaverse where creativity thrives.

Herman Narula, co-founder of Improbable, discusses the potential of the metaverse, interoperability, creating immersive experiences, and balancing gameplay in the digital future. They also talk about their technologies, testing virtual events, and their upcoming book.

Herman Narula, CEO and Co-Founder of Improbable, discusses scaling virtual worlds and prioritizing fulfillment in the metaverse. They explore their technology stack and the potential of the Metaverse, emphasizing value creation and shorter development cycles.

Herman Narula, CEO and co-founder of Improbable, has been pioneering virtual worlds since 2012 for sectors like defense and gaming. He discusses the metaverse as a transformative space for business, blending virtual and real-life interactions. The conversation also tackles the need for equitable governance and the psychological impacts of disinformation within these digital realms. Narula emphasizes the importance of community participation and the balance between decentralization and centralization for a positive future in the metaverse.