Meta is firmly determined to bring its hazy vision of the metaverse to life. Instead of nicknames and profile pictures, metaverse users are supposed to be represented by 3D avatars, and what does every avatar need? Designer clothes!
At least that’s what Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg believes based on his recent Facebook announcement, in which he announces the launch of Avatars Store on Facebook, Instagram, and Messenger.
In the store, users of the three Meta-owned services will be able to purchase digital clothes to style their avatars “Digital goods will be an important way to express yourself in the metaverse and a big driver of the creative economy,” Zuckerberg writes.
Initially, the avatar clothing store will feature virtual outfits from Balenciaga, Prada, and Thom Browne, but Zuckerberg says that we can expect more brands in the future.
“Need a fresh fit for your avatar? We’re launching our Avatars Store on Facebook, Instagram and Messenger so you can buy digital clothes,” tweeted Meta.
We currently don’t know how many outfits will be available or how much they will cost. We also don’t know how many people there are who would be happy to spend their money on digital clothes.
The closest equivalent we have to digital clothes for metaverse avatars are cosmetic in-app purchases in video games, such as various outfits and weapon skins. The size of the in-app purchase market is growing steadily, projected to reach $323.7 billion by 2027, up from $103.2 billion in 2021.
The global metaverse market size is expected to reach $426.9 billion by 2027, driven largely by hardware sales.
