Sport Metaverse
White paper: global-fighters.gitbook.io
Date: Jun 2022 – Jan 2023
Location: Remote
Metodology: Design Thinking
Role: Project Desinger
the project
GLOBAL FIGHTERS is a decentralized exergaming metaverse that utilizes extended reality to learn and enhance all kinds of boxing-related skills.
Scope: Unify the talent of professionals and boxers worldwide on a decentralized platform that enables them to monetize their expertise, adapting to new technologies. This allows athletes, gamers, enthusiasts, and boxers of all levels to learn, earn, and have fun while playing.
The metaverse consists of 4 main areas.
01- The game
It’s the Play to Earn gaming zone crafted to acquire all the skills necessary to master the art of boxing in Mixed Reality. Player skills are portrayed through an avatar that evolves as they earn medals and surpass levels.
02- Fighters TV.
Content creators worldwide broadcast fights, provide commentary, and engage with their community live. Users can subscribe to their favorite creators’ channels and receive rewards for supporting them.
03- Marketplace
It’s the marketplace for buying and selling goods and services. All transactions are conducted using the JAB token.
04- Crowfund
It’s a collaborative funding mechanism for boxing events and evenings that enables participants to generate income.
Origin Story
Driven by a deep passion for combat sports, I often found gym standards lacking, leaving potential untapped. A trip to Mexico introduced me to a phenomenal boxing coach, revealing a wealth of underutilized talent. Witnessing the disparity between coaches and boxing students sparked an epiphany.
I began this project uncertain of its direction but armed with crucial questions: How do we elevate boxing standards and make knowledge accessible to all? How can new technologies empower the boxing industry? What if we amplify coaches’ voices and help monetize their expertise in the Web3 space? Could trainers and developers create incentivized games to teach practical boxing skills?
These queries became the catalysts for my exploration of diverse solutions. Months of research, ideation, and prototyping birthed Global Fighters as part of my Master’s thesis in Blockchain and Fintech.
I crafted a comprehensive White Paper encompassing product development, global vision, market analysis, customer acquisition strategy, monetization model, competition evaluation, roadmap, funding plans, and legal considerations.
Recognition from my professor and reaching the finals in a prestigious entrepreneurship contest among 300 projects fueled my drive. It inspired me to push this project further, seeking partnerships and funding to realize this vision in the market.
Stages & Methodologies
🕵️ Market Research
During the initial phase of the project, a targeted market analysis was conducted to gain insights into the boxing community. This involved identifying trends, customer needs, and understanding the competitive landscape. Relevant data was collected through qualitative and quantitative studies to grasp the environment, existing issues, and potential opportunities.
The Lean Startup methodology was employed, emphasizing a data-driven approach over assumptions. Key questions were defined to understand the target customers, their challenges, and possible solutions. In-depth interviews were held with the audience, gathering data on their preferences, behaviors, and pain points. Online surveys and industry studies were also analyzed to broaden the understanding of boxing and gaming trends, validating initial assumptions.
In addition to data collection, lean techniques, like rapid prototyping, were utilized. Simplified versions of the product were designed based on market insights to obtain early user feedback. This iterative process allowed for quick testing of multiple solutions and adjustments based on user responses.
In summary, the Lean Startup methodology facilitated effective market research by emphasizing concrete data collection and continuous validation.
💡️ Idea Generation
Enouraged the generation of creative ideas through brainstorming sessions to devise innovative solutions addressing identified market needs.
Mind Mapping: During the ideation phase, a strategic tool called ‘Mind Mapping’ was employed to foster disruptive ideas. This approach enabled a clear and structured visualization of key concepts within Global Fighters. Initially, it involved amalgamating gaming and online boxing school elements while integrating technological aspects and monetization systems. This systematic method aided in organizing various features and elements intended for the project.
In summary, utilizing Mind Mapping during ideation allowed for idea organization, exploration of novel perspectives, and the creation of innovative concepts. It also facilitated the identification of expansion opportunities while envisioning a coherent global outlook for this platform, merging the realms of boxing passion, leading-edge technology, and creating an immersive community environment.
📝 ️ Project Definition
During the project definition phase, an analysis of client needs and project requirements was conducted. Meetings were held with key stakeholders, including potential clients, boxing coaches, experts, potential investors, advisors, and industry professionals, to comprehend their expectations and objectives. Upon documenting the anticipated outcomes and criteria for project success, a feasibility analysis was undertaken to ensure viability within available resources.
🛠️ Logical Framework Approach
The Logical Framework Approach methodology was selected to ensure systematic and structured planning of the platform. This approach facilitated the breakdown of crucial project components and their interconnections.
The initial step involved defining project objectives, outlining specific and achievable goals using the SMART approach (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Time-bound).
Following this, indicators of success were identified to gauge progress and goal attainment, encompassing both quantitative and qualitative metrics to assess Global Fighters’ impact and efficiency.
Subsequently, activities necessary for achieving the objectives were delineated, encompassing software development, content creation, integration of mixed reality technology, and the implementation of reward and monetization systems.
Additionally, potential project risks were considered, external influences were identified, and various scenarios and contingencies were evaluated to mitigate these risks.
✅ Product Tests
Product tests and validations were conducted with real users. Feedback and data collected during these tests were analyzed to iterate and improve the product, ensuring it met user expectations and needs.
The validation phase was closely tied to the funding strategy, aiming to secure financial support for the project. The primary objective was to ascertain genuine investor interest and determine their potential financial backing for the idea.
Engagement with various entities including incubators, investors, government agencies, venture builders, and acceleration programs aimed to secure funding, guidance, mentorship, and other resources required for project growth. The proposal was effectively presented, highlighting the platform’s innovative potential and its market viability.
💰 Financing Strategy
Throughout the fundraising phase, the journey involved engaging with various stakeholders. With the initial concept of Global Fighters in mind, the objective was to secure the resources necessary to realize the vision. This approach involved several key tactics that allowed connections with investors, mentors, and other relevant institutions.
The initial step included crafting a robust and compelling pitch deck summarizing the value proposition, key aspects of the platform, and highlighting the boxing market potential.
Active participation in entrepreneurship, gaming, and technology-related events and conferences provided opportunities to pitch the idea to diverse audiences, engaging with industry entrepreneurs, investors, and mentors. These presentations contributed to refining the pitch, gathering feedback, and networking with key individuals.
Meetings were also held with both public and private institutions interested in supporting innovative projects. Exploration of acceleration programs, incubators, and investment funds aimed at backing the project’s growth.
Throughout this process, numerous contacts and connections were established within the business ecosystem. These interactions provided valuable feedback and diverse perspectives. However, during this journey, it became evident that the technology required for Global Fighters wasn’t yet sufficiently developed and was exceedingly expensive. Mixed reality glasses didn’t provide a satisfying user experience, being bulky, wired, and uncomfortable for sporting activities.
This prompted a moment of reflection where the need to simplify the idea became apparent.
An entrepreneur must be willing to adapt and adjust course when necessary. Sometimes, even the most exciting and promising ideas may encounter market obstacles. Hence, the ability to pivot and find a new direction led to the creation of Sportverse, a virtual reality-based exergaming platform that met market needs while encompassing a passion for sports.
key takeaways
01- Think out of the box
Exploring new ideas, concepts, and approaches without constraints leads you to discover different and unexpected solutions.
02- Follow My Passions
Following your passions and committing yourself to what truly motivates you often leads to achieving remarkable outcomes.
The convergence of my passions has been pivotal in this project, enabling me to thoroughly enjoy it while gaining knowledge, delving into entrepreneurship, and connecting with wonderful individuals who share similar interests.
03- Get Out Of The Office
«Stepping out of the office» and engaging in regular interactions with potential users and stakeholders are crucial to grasp their needs and address them effectively. Simply staying within the controlled environment of an office isn’t enough; it’s imperative to immerse oneself in the real world, listen to users, observe their behaviors, and gather direct feedback. This approach has allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of real user needs and has been instrumental in designing solutions and making decisions.
04- Keep It Simple
Sometimes, we might fall into the temptation of adding too many functionalities, features, or unnecessary complications to our project. However, realizing this, I understood that simplicity is key.
05- Pivot
Adaptability and the willingness to change direction when necessary are crucial skills.
At times, an initial idea might seem promising, but as you progress through the development process and face the reality of the market, you realize the need to adjust your approach. Pivoting involves being aware of market signals, listening to customer feedback, and being ready to abandon an idea or business model that isn’t working. We shouldn’t cling to our initial ideas simply because we’ve invested time and resources in them. Instead, we should have the humility and mental agility to recognize when a change is necessary and be ready to do so without wasting time and resources on an unsuccessful approach.
By pivoting, we open doors to new opportunities and ensure that our business is aligned with the constantly evolving needs and demands of the market
Sport Metaverse
the project
GLOBAL FIGHTERS is a decentralized exergaming metaverse that utilizes extended reality to learn and enhance all kinds of boxing-related skills.
Scope: Unify the talent of professionals and boxers worldwide on a decentralized platform that enables them to monetize their expertise, adapting to new technologies. This allows athletes, gamers, enthusiasts, and boxers of all levels to learn, earn, and have fun while playing.
The metaverse consists of 4 main areas.
The game
It’s the Play to Earn gaming zone crafted to acquire all the skills necessary to master the art of boxing in Mixed Reality. Player skills are portrayed through an avatar that evolves as they earn medals and surpass levels.
Fighters TV.
Content creators worldwide broadcast fights, provide commentary, and engage with their community live. Users can subscribe to their favorite creators’ channels and receive rewards for supporting them.
Marketplace
It’s the marketplace for buying and selling goods and services. All transactions are conducted using the JAB token.
Crowfund
It’s a collaborative funding mechanism for boxing events and evenings that enables participants to generate income.
Origin Story
Driven by a deep passion for combat sports, I often found gym standards lacking, leaving potential untapped. A trip to Mexico introduced me to a phenomenal boxing coach, revealing a wealth of underutilized talent. Witnessing the disparity between coaches and boxing students sparked an epiphany.
I began this project uncertain of its direction but armed with crucial questions: How do we elevate boxing standards and make knowledge accessible to all? How can new technologies empower the boxing industry? What if we amplify coaches’ voices and help monetize their expertise in the Web3 space? Could trainers and developers create incentivized games to teach practical boxing skills?
These queries became the catalysts for my exploration of diverse solutions. Months of research, ideation, and prototyping birthed Global Fighters as part of my Master’s thesis in Blockchain and Fintech.
I crafted a comprehensive White Paper encompassing product development, global vision, market analysis, customer acquisition strategy, monetization model, competition evaluation, roadmap, funding plans, and legal considerations.
Recognition from my professor and reaching the finals in a prestigious entrepreneurship contest among 300 projects fueled my drive. It inspired me to push this project further, seeking partnerships and funding to realize this vision in the market.
Stages & Methodologies
🕵️ Market Research
During the initial phase of the project, a targeted market analysis was conducted to gain insights into the boxing community. This involved identifying trends, customer needs, and understanding the competitive landscape. Relevant data was collected through qualitative and quantitative studies to grasp the environment, existing issues, and potential opportunities.
The Lean Startup methodology was employed, emphasizing a data-driven approach over assumptions. Key questions were defined to understand the target customers, their challenges, and possible solutions. In-depth interviews were held with the audience, gathering data on their preferences, behaviors, and pain points. Online surveys and industry studies were also analyzed to broaden the understanding of boxing and gaming trends, validating initial assumptions.
In addition to data collection, lean techniques, like rapid prototyping, were utilized. Simplified versions of the product were designed based on market insights to obtain early user feedback. This iterative process allowed for quick testing of multiple solutions and adjustments based on user responses.
In summary, the Lean Startup methodology facilitated effective market research by emphasizing concrete data collection and continuous validation.
💡️ Idea Generation
Encouraged the generation of creative ideas through brainstorming sessions to devise innovative solutions addressing identified market needs.
🛠️ Mind Mapping
During the ideation phase, a strategic tool called ‘Mind Mapping’ was employed to foster disruptive ideas. This approach enabled a clear and structured visualization of key concepts within Global Fighters. Initially, it involved amalgamating gaming and online boxing school elements while integrating technological aspects and monetization systems. This systematic method aided in organizing various features and elements intended for the project.
In summary, utilizing Mind Mapping during ideation allowed for idea organization, exploration of novel perspectives, and the creation of innovative concepts. It also facilitated the identification of expansion opportunities while envisioning a coherent global outlook for this platform, merging the realms of boxing passion, leading-edge technology, and creating an immersive community environment.
📝 ️ Project Definition
During the project definition phase, an analysis of client needs and project requirements was conducted. Meetings were held with key stakeholders, including potential clients, boxing coaches, experts, potential investors, advisors, and industry professionals, to comprehend their expectations and objectives. Upon documenting the anticipated outcomes and criteria for project success, a feasibility analysis was undertaken to ensure viability within available resources.
🛠️ Logical Framework Approach
The Logical Framework Approach methodology was selected to ensure systematic and structured planning of the platform. This approach facilitated the breakdown of crucial project components and their interconnections.
The initial step involved defining project objectives, outlining specific and achievable goals using the SMART approach (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Time-bound).
Following this, indicators of success were identified to gauge progress and goal attainment, encompassing both quantitative and qualitative metrics to assess Global Fighters’ impact and efficiency.
Subsequently, activities necessary for achieving the objectives were delineated, encompassing software development, content creation, integration of mixed reality technology, and the implementation of reward and monetization systems.
Additionally, potential project risks were considered, external influences were identified, and various scenarios and contingencies were evaluated to mitigate these risks.
🧪 Prototyping
The platform prototype was developed to translate ideas into functional models, allowing for concept visualization and testing before moving forward with full-scale development.
🛠️ DCU
During the prototyping stage of the project, the User-Centered Design (UCD) methodology was chosen to create the platform prototype. This methodology focuses on understanding user needs and crafting solutions tailored to meet them.
Initial steps involved conducting extensive research to deeply comprehend user needs and the challenges faced while engaging in virtual sports.
Following this, user-centered design techniques like persona creation and user journey mapping were utilized to visualize and understand user experiences within the platform. This process aimed to identify areas of improvement and pain points.
Subsequently, prototypes were designed and developed using tools such as Figma.
This methodology played a pivotal role in the prototyping phase, converting ideas into functional models and facilitating iterative testing with users to ensure the platform met their needs and provided a satisfactory experience.
✅ Product Tests
Product tests and validations were conducted with real users. Feedback and data collected during these tests were analyzed to iterate and improve the product, ensuring it met user expectations and needs.
The validation phase was closely tied to the funding strategy, aiming to secure financial support for the project. The primary objective was to ascertain genuine investor interest and determine their potential financial backing for the idea.
Engagement with various entities including incubators, investors, government agencies, venture builders, and acceleration programs aimed to secure funding, guidance, mentorship, and other resources required for project growth. The proposal was effectively presented, highlighting the platform’s innovative potential and its market viability.
💰 Financing Strategy
Throughout the fundraising phase, the journey involved engaging with various stakeholders. With the initial concept of Global Fighters in mind, the objective was to secure the resources necessary to realize the vision. This approach involved several key tactics that allowed connections with investors, mentors, and other relevant institutions.
The initial step included crafting a robust and compelling pitch deck summarizing the value proposition, key aspects of the platform, and highlighting the boxing market potential.
Active participation in entrepreneurship, gaming, and technology-related events and conferences provided opportunities to pitch the idea to diverse audiences, engaging with industry entrepreneurs, investors, and mentors. These presentations contributed to refining the pitch, gathering feedback, and networking with key individuals.
Meetings were also held with both public and private institutions interested in supporting innovative projects. Exploration of acceleration programs, incubators, and investment funds aimed at backing the project’s growth.
Throughout this process, numerous contacts and connections were established within the business ecosystem. These interactions provided valuable feedback and diverse perspectives. However, during this journey, it became evident that the technology required for Global Fighters wasn’t yet sufficiently developed and was exceedingly expensive. Mixed reality glasses didn’t provide a satisfying user experience, being bulky, wired, and uncomfortable for sporting activities.
This prompted a moment of reflection where the need to simplify the idea became apparent.
An entrepreneur must be willing to adapt and adjust course when necessary. Sometimes, even the most exciting and promising ideas may encounter market obstacles. Hence, the ability to pivot and find a new direction led to the creation of Sportverse, a virtual reality-based exergaming platform that met market needs while encompassing a passion for sports.
key takeaways
#1 Think out of the box
Exploring new ideas, concepts, and approaches without constraints leads you to discover different and unexpected solutions.
#2 Follow My Passions
Following your passions and committing yourself to what truly motivates you often leads to achieving remarkable outcomes.
The convergence of my passions has been pivotal in this project, enabling me to thoroughly enjoy it while gaining knowledge, delving into entrepreneurship, and connecting with wonderful individuals who share similar interests.
#3 get out of the office
«Stepping out of the office» and engaging in regular interactions with potential users and stakeholders are crucial to grasp their needs and address them effectively. Simply staying within the controlled environment of an office isn’t enough; it’s imperative to immerse oneself in the real world, listen to users, observe their behaviors, and gather direct feedback. This approach has allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of real user needs and has been instrumental in designing solutions and making decisions.
#4 Keep it simple
Sometimes, we might fall into the temptation of adding too many functionalities, features, or unnecessary complications to our project. However, realizing this, I understood that simplicity is key.
“Keep it simple” has been one of the significant learnings from this project.
Maintaining simplicity allows us to focus on the essentials, cut out the noise, and provide a clearer and more effective experience for our clients. By simplifying our approach, we can concentrate on delivering core value, solving specific problems, and providing a solution that is easy to understand and use.
Moreover, simplicity enables us to be more agile, quickly adapt to market changes, and avoid costly errors stemming from complexity.
#5 Pivot
Adaptability and the willingness to change direction when necessary are crucial skills.
At times, an initial idea might seem promising, but as you progress through the development process and face the reality of the market, you realize the need to adjust your approach. Pivoting involves being aware of market signals, listening to customer feedback, and being ready to abandon an idea or business model that isn’t working. We shouldn’t cling to our initial ideas simply because we’ve invested time and resources in them. Instead, we should have the humility and mental agility to recognize when a change is necessary and be ready to do so without wasting time and resources on an unsuccessful approach.
By pivoting, we open doors to new opportunities and ensure that our business is aligned with the constantly evolving needs and demands of the market