On Thursday, Meghan Markle released the first trailer for her new Netflix lifestyle show.
The series, titled With Love, From Meghan, features the duchess and her celebrity pals cooking meals, arranging flowers, and offering a wide array of tips and tricks for aspiring hosts and hostesses
In other words, it’s Meghan’s way of confirming her intention to become her generation’s Martha Stewart.
Meghan Markle in a scene from her upcoming Netflix cooking show. (Netflix)
Meghan’s New Show Meets With Criticism
Unfortunately, Martha’s successs might be a product of a bygone era.
These days, dinner parties are mostly a thing of the past, and folks who are in need of culinary tips are probably finding them on TikTok.
Perhaps that’s why Meghan’s latest Netflix project is receiving such an icy reception.
When the trailer debuted on YouTube, haters rushed to the comments section to blast the Duchess of Sussex for being “tone deaf” and “out of touch.”
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in a scene from her new Netflix show. (Netflix)
And now, Meghan has attracted the unwanted attention of one very high-profile critic: media personality and self-described political nepo-baby Meghan McCain.
Meghan vs. Meghan
“I was originally a Meghan Markle supporter, I thought she was cool, stylish and refreshing. Like the rest of the world my opinion changed when she disrespected the royal family,” McCain wrote on X (formerly Twitter) today.
“Now that she wants to be American again instead of British aristocracy what she seems to forget is Americans want real, raw, uncensored. All of this even in the trailer is highly curated, produced and out of touch.”
Meghan McCain attends the 2023 Time100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center on April 26, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)
From there, McCain cited the recent rash of terroristic violence in the US and accused the other Meghan of announcing her posh new project at an inappropriate time.
“There have been 2 terror attacks in 2 days, major wars raging and Americans can’t pay for groceries. We are a country in rage, uncertainty and intensity right now,” she wrote.
“This concept is ill advised. I would have told her to do a show helping bring fresh food to food deserts in low income neighborhoods. Do something to help people instead of your ego,” she continued.
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex arrives for The Paley Center for Media gala honoring actor and director Tyler Perry, at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills on December 4, 2024. (Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT/AFP via Getty Images)
“This is why the world doesn’t like you, nothing else. Just completely and utterly tone deaf to the moment.”
McCain’s remarks echo many of the reactions to the show on YouTube and across social media.
(Although in asserting that “the world” doesn’t like Meghan, McCain went a bit further than most anonymous trolls.)
Obviously, these judgments are premature, as the eight-episode series doesn’t premiere until January 15.
A Lot on the Line
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, attends The Paley Center for Media hosts Paley Honors Fall Gala honoring Tyler Perry at Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel on December 04, 2024 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Unique Nicole/Getty Images)
But Team Meghan might be feeling a bit nervous at the moment, as the stakes for this project couldn’t be higher.
Meghan and Prince Harry signed a lucrative deal with Netflix back in 2020, and thus far, the couple has yet to deliver any huge hits.
The couple’s latest project, a docuseries about the world of professional polo, was met with bad reviews and minimal viewership.
Insiders say that after a disappointing 2024, Meghan and Harry are hoping to make a comeback in the new year.
So they’d better hope that Netflix subscribers don’t arrive at the same conclusion that Meghan McCain reached. Otherwise, they’ll have one more setback to overcome.
Fans of The Traitors were happy to see Traitor Armani be banished from the round table during tonight’s (January 3) episode.
Armani was chosen to be one of three female Traitors this year alongside Minah and Linda and became the first to be caught out. She entered this year’s series with her sister Maia, who is currently playing as a Faithful.
During episode three, Armani was banished (Credit: BBC)
The Traitors: Armani becomes the latest contestant banished at the round table
After contestants had suspicions of Armani, the majority voted for her at the round table, including fellow Traitor Minah. Even her sister admitted she was “60 percent” sure she was a Traitor.
As a result, Armani was banished and confessed she was a Traitor. In total shock, Maia burst into tears.
However, judging by viewers’ response on X, formerly Twitter, sadness appears to be the last emotion they feel about tonight’s result.
Viewers react positively to Armani’s banishment (Credit: BBC)
‘Armani going has made me so happy’
“So glad Armani has been caught out. She was too cocky. Really hope Minah goes the whole way and wins though!” one user wrote.
“Armani‘s leaving my screens yessss,” another person shared.
“Armani going has made me so happy. The fact she was so cocky before that round table thinking no one would say her name and then her sister does!!! Can’t believe it,” a third remarked.
“ARMANI IS GONE!!!!!! A TRAITOR HAS BEEN UNVEILED!!!!!! FINALLY!!!!!!!” a fourth user said.
“Armani to cocky and confident by half. Got what she deserved GONE!!” a fifth wrote.
Following Armani’s exit, two more Traitors — Minah and Linda — currently remain.
Read more: Ranvir Singh sparks ‘complaints’ as she drops Traitors series 3 spoiler and viewers fume
Are you enjoying the third series of The Traitors? Tell us on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix.
Published: January 03, 2025 at 1:47 pm Updated: January 03, 2025 at 1:48 pm
by Ana
Edited and fact-checked:
January 03, 2025 at 1:47 pm
To improve your local-language experience, sometimes we employ an auto-translation plugin. Please note auto-translation may not be accurate, so read original article for precise information.
In Brief
Crypto.com, Floki, and E-Trade are partnering to redefine finance, sports, and technology in 2025, demonstrating the innovation driving blockchain and digital assets toward mainstream adoption.
The crypto world has started 2025 with groundbreaking collaborations that redefine finance, sports, and technology. From Crypto.com’s venture into Islamic banking to Floki’s sports partnerships and E-Trade’s crypto aspirations, these alliances showcase the innovation driving blockchain and digital assets toward mainstream adoption.
Let’s explore them one by one.
In a landmark move toward bringing together Islamic banking and cryptocurrency, Crypto.com inked a memorandum of understanding with Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB), the largest Islamic financial institution in the United Arab Emirates. Together, the companies hope to promote the Crypto.com App and Card on DIB’s platforms, provide DIB customers with new ways to earn rewards, and make it easier for users to buy and sell fiat cash on Crypto.com.
The agreement also explores tokenization of real-world assets, such as Islamic sukuks and real estate portfolios, utilizing the Cronos blockchain. Additionally, DIB’s systems will facilitate cryptocurrency payments, and the bank will consider integrating Crypto.com’s trading, custody, and over-the-counter (OTC) solutions for retail clients.
Crypto.com’s President of UAE Operations, Mohammed Al-Hakim, noted the agreement as a unique opportunity to merge crypto with Islamic banking. Musabbah Al Qaizi, DIB’s Chief Digital Officer, also pointed out that this partnership can be the start of many Sharia-compliant crypto solutions, putting the UAE ahead of the pack.
Floki Partners with Kings World Cup Nations for Global Sports Exposure
Floki has made a bold entry into the sports and Esports industries by partnering with the Kings World Cup Nations. This innovative 7-a-side football tournament combines traditional football with competitive gaming and is set to take place in Italy from January 1 to 12, 2025, culminating at the iconic Allianz Stadium in Torino.
Packed with global Football stars like Iker Casillas and Gerard Piqué, this tournament can surely be a global sensation, running all over YouTube, Twitch, and TikTok for about 600 million viewers around the world.
LED boards, banners, and social media platforms will all include Floki’s branding, and the company will also have exclusive sponsorship of the matchday results. The cryptocurrency views this collaboration as an opportunity to connect with global communities and showcase its utility in an engaging context. According to Kings League representatives, the partnership underscores both entities’ focus on innovation and growth.
Oriol Granell, COO of Kings League, stated that this partnership creates a fertile ground for “innovation and growth,” showing his enthusiasm for the future of this collaboration.
While the partnership offers immense exposure, it carries risks, as success depends heavily on the tournament’s reception. However, Floki’s strategy aligns with cryptocurrency’s ethos of disruption and decentralization, cementing its bold approach to expanding its brand through high-profile collaborations in sports and entertainment.
Morgan Stanley’s E-Trade Explores Crypto Trading
Morgan Stanley’s E-Trade is considering offering cryptocurrency trading services, signaling its readiness to embrace the growing digital asset sector. This move has the potential to establish E-Trade as a formidable competitor to Coinbase and other prominent platforms in the cryptocurrency business, which is expected to see significant development in 2025. Some have speculated that the initiative is in line with the positive regulatory shifts that will occur after the US presidential transition.
It would be a huge step forward for people to trade digital assets if E-Trade joined the bitcoin market. By purchasing Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs), Morgan Stanley has shown its faith in the cryptocurrency market. Its investment includes a $272 million stake in the iShares Bitcoin Trust, launched by BlackRock.
This move is indicative of a larger trend toward crypto adoption by more conventional financial institutions. E-Trade, with its large user base and knowledge of conventional stock trading, might serve as a link between the two worlds.
There are still risks, like market volatility and competition from established crypto exchanges, but Morgan Stanley’s involvement shows that big companies are becoming more interested in digital assets. E-Trade’s possible crypto trading services could give investors a way to get into the market and elevate cryptocurrency as a legitimate financial tool.
Spiking and BipTap Revolutionize Payments with TradeGPT
The blockchain-based payment pioneers BipTap and Spiking have joined forces to integrate TradeGPT into BipTap’s ecosystem and, therefore, transform the payment industry. Spiking’s cutting-edge generative AI tool, TradeGPT, offers predictive analytics and real-time insights. By embedding this technology, BipTap aims to unify cryptocurrency and fiat transactions, offering users enhanced financial decision-making tools.
With the combined strengths of Spiking’s AI analytics and BipTap’s blockchain payment infrastructure, they have come up with a more robust and effective platform. Powerful data-driven insights will be available to users, providing frictionless transactions across various blockchains and conventional financial platforms. Spiking’s CEO, Dr. Clemen Chiang, stressed that this relationship democratizes access to advanced financial tools, allowing users to manage complex payment conditions confidently.
BipTap’s founder, Jonathan Low, highlighted the alignment of both companies’ missions to bridge traditional finance with the emerging digital economy. By integrating TradeGPT, BipTap enhances its ability to deliver cost-effective and user-friendly payment solutions while addressing privacy and efficiency concerns.
This partnership represents a significant step toward inclusive financial ecosystems, blending the advantages of cryptocurrency and traditional banking. It underscores the growing potential of AI and blockchain technology to redefine global financial transactions.
TON Partners with Jupiter for Liquidity Aggregation
Jupiter and the TON Foundation have joined forces to build a liquidity aggregator on the TON blockchain. The goal is to improve liquidity and make cross-chain swaps possible. By combining TON’s scalable infrastructure with Jupiter’s knowledge of decentralized exchanges (DEXs), the collaboration hopes to maximize trading efficiency in the TON ecosystem, giving users access to deeper liquidity pools and better rates.
By means of a DeFi competition that will continue until March 15, 2025, our collaboration further promotes community-driven development. The contest is open to developers, and TON and Jupiter will back the projects that come out on top. In the DeFi sector, this effort highlights a dedication to community participation and innovation.
As the decentralized banking environment changes, blockchain interoperability becomes more crucial, and cooperation places TON as a prominent participant in this space. If TON can address liquidity concerns and encourage cross-chain integration, it could entice institutional investors and larger users who were previously turned off by the cryptocurrency.
The relationship between TON and Jupiter, as DeFi keeps expanding, shows how strategic alliances play a crucial role in determining the trajectory of blockchain networks going forward. By fostering innovation and expanding user acceptance, this program aims to establish TON as a prominent participant in the DeFi ecosystem.
Illuminex and Dashpay Enhance Privacy in Digital Transactions
Illuminex has teamed up with Dashpay, a cryptocurrency that is well-known for its quick and cheap transactions. By combining the best features of both systems, this strategic partnership is set to make online transactions safer and more efficient.
Dash’s swift transaction capabilities complement Illuminex’s focus on privacy, creating a robust framework for secure cryptocurrency exchanges. By merging technologies, the partnership seeks to address growing consumer demands for privacy and efficiency in digital financial interactions.
This collaboration reflects a shared vision of leveraging integrated technologies to benefit global users. This kind of collaboration points to the possibility of new solutions that promote confidence in the use of digital currencies as the industry develops.
A new era of privacy and speed in cryptocurrency transactions is on the horizon, thanks to the partnership between Illuminex and Dash. This will benefit both experienced and novice users.
Disclaimer
In line with the Trust Project guidelines, please note that the information provided on this page is not intended to be and should not be interpreted as legal, tax, investment, financial, or any other form of advice. It is important to only invest what you can afford to lose and to seek independent financial advice if you have any doubts. For further information, we suggest referring to the terms and conditions as well as the help and support pages provided by the issuer or advertiser. MetaversePost is committed to accurate, unbiased reporting, but market conditions are subject to change without notice.
About The Author
Victoria is a writer on a variety of technology topics including Web3.0, AI and cryptocurrencies. Her extensive experience allows her to write insightful articles for the wider audience.
More articles
Victoria d’Este
Victoria is a writer on a variety of technology topics including Web3.0, AI and cryptocurrencies. Her extensive experience allows her to write insightful articles for the wider audience.
It’s been a strange few days for Palworld on Steam Deck. Originally it was rated Steam Deck Playable, then after the major Feybreak update Valve set it as Steam Deck Unsupported and now it’s back to Steam Deck Playable again.
We still don’t know what happened. Valve’s Deck Verified system is quite the mystery on why exactly they tag each game as they do. When a game is set as Steam Deck Unsupported, it rarely actually says why other than very specific times where the anti-cheat is clearly not enabled or the graphics cannot be set to perform well enough.
So here we are again! 3 days after Valve set it as Unsupported, it’s now rated Steam Deck Playable again. However, Valve do clearly list multiple issues with it including:
Some functionality is not accessible when using the default controller configuration, requiring use of the touchscreen or virtual keyboard, or a community configuration.
This game sometimes shows mouse, keyboard, or non-Steam-Deck controller icons.
Entering some text requires manually invoking the on-screen keyboard.
Some in-game text is small and may be difficult to read.
This game requires manual configuration of graphics settings to perform well on Steam Deck.
This game does not default to external Bluetooth/USB controllers on Deck, and may require manually switching the active controller via the Quick Access Menu.
Even when a game is set as Steam Deck Unsupported, it doesn’t always mean it won’t run at all, just that Valve for some reason don’t recommend it.
After the update Palworld continues to see a lot of players jumping in with a 24 hour peak concurrent count of 198,212 players. We’re still waiting to see what happens from the Nintendo lawsuit though, as there’s been no official update since November last year.
Marvel Rivals, a free-to-play 6v6 hero shooter, features a pretty wide roster of Marvel characters to play as. While the selection of Strategists, the support heroes focused on healing and buffing teammates, is fairly slight at only seven heroes now, Marvel Rivals will be getting lots of new heroes in the future. These heroes are ranked based on the range of usability for their abilities, potential healing output, and general benefits they bring to the game when used. While our Marvel Rivals support heroes tier list is ranked,, there really aren’t any characters on the roster that are completely unplayable due to balancing in the game’s current state.
7. Rocket Raccoon
Rocket Raccoon has a few positive aspects to him, but fairly low healing and damage output keeps him at the bottom of the list. His respawn machine can be pretty clutch, bringing back a teammate who dies in range, but the shields it produces feel odd, since you want to hide it out of sight so it doesn’t get destroyed. Rocket having a small hit box also lets him escape danger easier than other supports.
That said, Rocket’s healing orbs move pretty slowly and can also bounce unpredictably, making healing with them at range harder than it needs to be. His machine gun damage is pretty low too, making it hard to defend yourself, something that most other supports are better at. Rocket Raccoon’s ultimate provides a nice damage buff, but the stationary aspect makes it a bit more situational than other support ultimates.
6. Jeff the Land Shark
Jeff the Land Shark is the cutest Strategist on the roster, but his simple abilities hold him back from being higher on the list. The water spray healing has far better accuracy at a distance than it should, but the healing rate is a little low, resulting in you spending a lot of time spraying down a single teammate. The healing bubbles are great and offer a nice movement buff, but a long cooldown on the charges means you are constantly at risk of dropping them somewhere, having the fight move, and being caught waiting on cooldown timers.
Jeff has three things going in his favor though: His water splash shots deal pretty good damage, making it possible to defend yourself from any overachieving Duelists. Jeff’s submerge ability allows for a speedy escape, self-healing, and a smaller hitbox without a cooldown. Finally, Jeff’s ultimate, even if you can’t get to a ledge for the insta-kill, still lets you remove enemy players–potentially even a full team–from the fight temporarily, which is a huge advantage.
5. Loki
There is a lot to like about Loki, but the ability management aspect requires a lot of knowledge and skill to successfully pull off without a big enough payoff. Loki can heal by shooting teammates with his staff, and he can also place decoys around, which will also shoot. His other healing ability creates a field around him and his decoys, offering a ton of healing temporarily. Loki can switch places with his decoys, letting him get out of danger and he can even make a decoy while going invisible.
The management here is a bit of a pain, as it involves regularly placing new decoys and keeping track of which ones have been taken out. This is time not spent doing damage or healing, and is pretty overwhelming for new players. In terms of healing, he doesn’t offer as much as the upper half of this list and certainly requires more skill than those heroes. HIs ultimate is pretty great, letting him switch into another hero in the lobby and immediately use their ultimate, but you need to see that hero to make the swap, making it a bit more situational than it could’ve been.
4. Cloak and Dagger
Cloak and Dagger are a ton of fun to play and offer a wide range of abilities, making them an excellent support to use. Dagger handles healing, throwing auto-tracking daggers that can heal or do damage, depending on who you hit. The healing and damage is fairly low, but you can use her Veil of Lightforce to grant bonus healing effects and her AoE healing ability creates a nice bubble that heals a ton.
Cloak is focused on dealing damage and applying debuffs to enemies. His Terror Cape limits enemy vision and makes them take more damage. His main attack is a beam that deals quick tick damage, offering slightly more damage than Cloak’s main attack. His dark teleportation makes him and nearby teammates invisible, but it’s pretty short and really only gives you a brief moment of safety. Their ultimate places darkness on the map that heals teammates and damages enemies, making it great for contesting an objective. Cloak and Dagger’s main shortcoming is that you have to swap between them to either heal or deal damage, when some of the best Strategists can do both at all times.
3. Adam Warlock
Adam Warlock has pretty good healing capabilities, deals a surprising amount of damage, and can revive the whole team with his ultimate. To start, his main attack deals 55 damage and can crit, which is pretty good for a Strategist, even if it has a short damage fall off range. For healing, he does have to rely on his abilities, but he has two and both do a ton of healing. The big one is the Soul Bond, which connects Adam Warlock and all nearby teammates, providing healing over time and splitting damage taken.
His other healing ability is a link to a single teammate, but it provides healing for both Adam Warlock and his ally. It has two charges on a six-second cooldown, so it can be used pretty regularly. Adam’s passive cocoon ability lets him revive after death, which is a great setup for his ultimate ability, which resurrects all dead teammates in range. It also lasts an additional 10 seconds, letting any teammates who weren’t dead but die after activation to also get resurrected.
2. Luna Snow
Luna Snow has a powerful primary attack that heals and does damage depending on who you hit. The three round-burst heals 60 total health or deals 60 total damage, and that’s without hitting a headshot. Her Ice Arts buff increases the amount of healing or damage those shots do while providing some self-healing on each shot, giving her some nice sustainability. She can freeze enemies temporarily, great for any diving enemies, and her skating passive gives her an advantageous–dare we say Lucio-like–movement speed and jump height boost.
Luna Snow’s greatest asset is her ultimate ability, which has her dance, creating an AoE around her that can either heal or provide a damage buff, letting you swap freely. The healing output is ridiculous, making both Luna and her teammates invulnerable to anything except the most powerful attacks in the game, and the damage buff is nothing to sneeze at either.
1. Mantis
Mantis takes the top spot due to her incredibly high skill ceiling. She can give either a healing-over-time or damage buff to a teammate at the cost of one of her four orbs. She can also give a self-boost at the cost of a single orb, and using an orb applies self-healing. This might sound limiting, but the orbs are on a short cooldown and you can instantly refill a charge by hitting a headshot with her primary fire, which deals 50 base damage and has no fall-off range.
This means you will always have orbs if you consistently hit headshots. Always having orbs means you can constantly have your self-buff active and apply buffs to your teammates consistently, making Mantis very powerful in the right hands. Her ultimate is a slightly weaker version of Luna Snow’s, applying healing over time and a movement speed boost, with extra healing converted into bonus health. As if all that wasn’t enough, she also moves faster at full health, making the walk back from spawn a little quicker, so you can get back to healing.
French esports platform Coliseum has announced a $2 million fund to support blockchain-based gaming projects.
Selected projects will gain access to Coliseum’s ecosystem, including a network of millions of gamers and expert guidance on marketing and scaling. The initiative aims to address key challenges faced by developers in the blockchain gaming space, such as limited funding, audience engagement, and promotional barriers.
Applications for the fund are now open, targeting projects that demonstrate strong growth potential and align with the platform’s vision for the future of gaming.
Source: Coliseum
Why is this investment significant to blockchain gaming?
Blockchain gaming, despite its growth, continues to face structural challenges that limit its potential.
With the global web3 gaming market valued at $26.38 billion in 2023, developers often struggle to secure funding, build an audience, and effectively market their projects. These barriers can prevent innovative ideas from reaching the market, slowing the overall progress of the industry.
Coliseum’s $2 million fund aims to directly address these challenges. Financial investments ranging from $50,000 to $250,000 per project will provide critical resources to emerging developers. Beyond monetary support, Coliseum offers integration into its ecosystem of 2.5 million gamers, giving projects immediate exposure to an established audience.
By combining funding, audience access, and strategic mentorship, Coliseum’s initiative offers a multifaceted approach to fostering innovation in the web3 gaming sector.
Source: Coliseum
How do projects apply for funding?
Applications for the fund are open to a variety of blockchain gaming initiatives, including game studios, esports guilds, and other web3-focused teams.
Developers are invited to submit proposals outlining their project goals, growth potential, and alignment with Coliseum’s mission to enhance the blockchain gaming ecosystem via the application form on the official Coliseum announcement.
Selected projects will receive not only financial backing but also integration into Coliseum’s platform, including access to its gaming community, marketing resources, and expert mentorship to help ensure the success of funded projects.
Projects are evaluated based on their potential to innovate and contribute to the evolution of web3 gaming.
Curiosity often drives people to seek out the next big thing in crypto. One place that could be about to gain momentum is Shib: The Metaverse. It’s a virtual space created under the umbrella of the Shiba Inu ecosystem, combining Web3 gaming, digital real estate, and forward-thinking cross-chain technology.
With its roots in SHIB, the Metaverse platform, now in early access, offers a glimpse into what tomorrow’s internet might look like, blending creativity and community in one immersive environment.
Virtual Land Plots: A Glimpse of Digital Real Estate
One of the first things you’ll notice in Shib: The Metaverse is the option to buy and own virtual land. Over 100,000 plots are up for grabs, divided into four tiers with prices ranging from 0.2 ETH to 1 ETH. Users can pay using SHIB on the Shibarium network or ETH on Ethereum.
Once users have their plot, they can build on it, earn passive income, or simply hold it for future updates. In fact, upcoming features might let you merge multiple plots into a single estate, sparking plenty of potential for creative projects.
Gaming Experiences: The Arrival of “Lapdogs”
Gaming lies at the heart of Shib: The Metaverse. A new title called “Lapdogs” is in the works, featuring pixelated Shiboshis and Sheboshis racing one another around the track. Beyond that, developers will soon have the tools to craft their own games within this virtual world. That means you’ll see a constant stream of fresh experiences rolling out, each one tapping into the power of blockchain technology.
Expanding Cross-Chain Communication
A feature of the Shiba Inu ecosystem is its embrace of Chainlink’s Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol (CCIP). Through integration with Shibarium—a Layer-2 network—tokens like SHIB, BONE, and LEASH can move across different blockchains more easily.
For anyone exploring Shib: The Metaverse, this cross-chain compatibility offers the freedom to manage assets securely while enabling more advanced smart contract applications.
The Bigger Picture: The SHIB Ecosystem
Shib: The Metaverse is one part of a larger Shiba Inu network. Shibarium, for instance, aims to boost scalability and reduce fees. ShibaSwap 2.0 acts as a newly upgraded decentralized exchange, giving users a simpler and more feature-rich trading experience.
Meanwhile, the upcoming TREAT token promises community governance and the potential for rewards, positioning itself as another layer of engagement for the ecosystem.
Source Shib: The Metaverse
For now, the Metaverse is accessible on Windows PCs and free to explore. A browser-based version is in development, which should make it simpler for people on other operating systems to jump in. Owning land or specific NFTs can enhance your experience. Still, even without any purchases, you can wander around and see what this digital world has to offer.
If you decide to invest in virtual land, head to the official website. There, an interactive map will help you find a parcel that fits your vision. The buying process is straightforward: you can pay with SHIB on Shibarium or ETH on Ethereum.
Be sure to have enough in your crypto wallet to cover the land’s cost and any transaction fees. After completing your purchase, it’s up to you how you use and develop your new digital property.
Final Takeaways
Shib: The Metaverse combines entertainment, community, and blockchain know-how in a single digital space. From snapping up virtual land to racing pixelated pups, there’s plenty to do—and more on the horizon.
Whether you’re into crypto, gaming, or just curious about the future of online interaction, this world might be the place to plant your virtual flag. As the project continues to evolve, early explorers stand to gain both in terms of fun and potential financial upside.
Jason Newey is a seasoned journalist specializing in NFTs, the Metaverse, and Web3 technologies. With a background in digital media and blockchain technology, he adeptly translates complex concepts into engaging, informative articles.
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.
CBS
Throughout its 12-season, 12-year run, “The Big Bang Theory” featured a ton of guest stars — just the list of “Star Trek” veterans alone is pretty long, in fact. One of those “Star Trek” favorites just so happens to be Wil Wheaton, who first shows up as “himself” (more on that distinction shortly) in season 3 to emotionally terrorize Sheldon Cooper (Jim Parsons). This long-running arc on the show, which continued through the final season, almost didn’t happen — because Wheaton was totally against the show and the idea of appearing on it.
In Jessica Radloff’s 2022 book “The Big Bang Theory: The Definitive, Inside Story of the Epic Hit Series,” Wheaton and the series’ co-creator Bill Prady revealed that it was quite a hassle to get Wheaton on the show, but not only did he appear in nearly every season (just skipping the first two installments and season 10), he became a mainstay of the sitcom.
“I was actually really against the show when I first heard about it,” Wheaton admitted. “I thought it was going to be making fun of people like me — lifelong nerds. Whenever somebody in entertainment wants to do something about our culture, odds are the nerds are going to be the butt of the joke. So I was super not into it.” Fortunately, Wheaton eventually gave the show a chance but said he was “disappointed” in himself for pre-judging it and being unfair to the creators. “I became a massive fan and tweeted about how much I loved it, when [executive producer] Steve Molaro saw that tweet and invited me to set,” he explained.
Wil Wheaton didn’t really want to play himself on The Big Bang Theory
CBS
Ultimately, getting Wil Wheaton to join “The Big Bang Theory” in literally any capacity was a challenge, and Bill Prady had to take matters into his own hands. “I got an email from Bill Prady’s assistant saying he’d love to have a conversation with me,” Wheaton recalled. “And bless Bill forever, he talked to me like I was a person he deeply cared about who knew nothing about his show. He was so kind.” After saying that he previously worked with two producers who were awful people (Wheaton called them “d*cks,” to be super-specific) and assumed most producers were just as crappy, Wheaton went on to say that he and Prady became lifelong friends as a result of the call. “Bill and I are extraordinarily good friends now,” Wheaton said. “But I got on the phone with Bill, and he said he wanted me to come on the show and play a version of myself.”
“He was unsure about playing himself in the show … which is not unusual,” Prady clarified. “You become an actor so you don’t have to play yourself. You become an actor so you can be other people.” Still, the team was determined to book Wheaton, who happened to actually live near Pasadena (where the series is set) and, as Steve Molaro apparently told Bill Prady, could conceivably be a regular patron of the comic book shop frequented by Sheldon and his buddies, so it was down to Prady to convince him. Apparently, getting Wheaton to “play himself” was the main issue.
The team behind The Big Bang Theory came up with a great way for Wil Wheaton to play himself
CBS
“I felt playing myself was cheating … that it’s not something I’ve earned,” Wil Wheaton told Jessica Radloff in the book. “Or it was going to be a one-off where someone would say, ‘Hey, look, it’s the kid from Star Trek,’ and then it’s over. And I didn’t want that.” Wheaton really loved the show at that point, so he practically begged Prady to let him audition for a character. He understood, but ultimately told him, “No actor likes to play themselves, but you are the only actor who can play Wil Wheaton.'”
Prady offered to let Wheaton think about playing himself and also let Wheaton know if any non-Wheaton roles came up that would work, but apparently, a person from a completely different series ended up swaying Wheaton in the end. That person? Wheaton’s friend John Rogers, known for creating shows like “Leverage” and “The Librarians.” Regarding his conversation with Rogers, Wheaton recalled, that he was quiet at first before Rogers laid into him for foolishly passing up the chance to be on the most popular TV show currently airing. He apparently yelled at him to “get on the phone to Bill Prady and tell him you will do whatever he wants you to do or we’re not friends,” so Wheaton did exactly that.
For his part, Prady was pretty grateful … and not only that, but he figured out a way to make Wheaton happy to boot. “Yes, he did, and thank goodness,” Prady said of Rogers’ “advice” before saying he was nervous to tell Wheaton about the approach he took to his portrayal. “I remember being terrified to also call him and say, ‘We made your character evil,’ but man, he was happy about it! He went, ‘Oh my god, this is the greatest thing ever!’ It gave him a character to play — ‘Evil Wil Wheaton.’ And then the character evolved over time and ultimately became a friend of the guys, but I loved that he was okay with that.”
In 2019, Wil Wheaton said The Big Bang Theory saved his career
CBS
As Bill Prady correctly says in Jessica Radloff’s book, Wil Wheaton does start out basically playing “Evil Wil Wheaton,” but in season 5, he and Sheldon finally make peace and he becomes buddies with the whole gang. (He still playfully antagonizes Sheldon pretty often, though, and it’s really funny.) It’s tough to imagine the show without Wheaton showing up in just about every season to hang with the characters, and apparently, Wheaton feels the same way.
In May of 2019, when “The Big Bang Theory” concluded with its season 12 finale “The Stockholm Syndrome,” Wheaton posted on Instagram to commemorate his time on the series (the post is now deleted but was chronicled on Digital Spy). After saying he watched the show’s final taping live, Wheaton said, “I think it’s fair to say that if I built a tripod out of my career, the main legs would be ‘Stand By Me,’ ‘Star Trek,’ and ‘The Big Bang Theory.’ It kind of blows me away that I get to say that. It is remarkable to me that I have gotten to have all of these things in my life, when honestly just [one[ of them would be more than anyone could hope for on his or her resume.”
Wheaton wasn’t just grateful to be a part of “The Big Bang Theory,” but went on to say that he thinks it saved his career and helped him stay afloat as a performer during a time when he was struggling a bit in the industry. “Mainstream Hollywood doesn’t seem to be especially interested in me and what I bring to a production these days,” he continued. “I don’t know why, and I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to do anything to change that, but I can confidently say that I probably have an on-camera acting career today because of ‘Big Bang Theory,’ and anything I do on camera for the rest of my career will stand on the shoulders of the work I’ve had the privilege and honor to perform over the last decade.”
“The Big Bang Theory,” including Wheaton’s 17 episodes, is streaming on Max now.
In recent times virtual real estate has emerged as a dynamic frontier in the digital world. It involves the buying, selling, and developing of plots of land or properties within immersive environments that can be explored through virtual reality or augmented reality.
As companies and individuals start to focus on this new opportunity, we’re seeing more investor interest, creative use cases, and more platforms popping up for metaverse real estate.
For those who have been around since the early days of the internet, they’ll see similarities in how digital spaces become assets. Below we’ll look at market trends, major platforms, tokenization and ROI.
Virtual Real Estate in 2025: Market Overview
Market experts point out that virtual real estate has gone from niche topic to serious investment opportunity in a very short space of time. Much of this growth is driven by communities forming around emerging platforms, especially those with social and gaming functionality. The rise of digital property investment opportunities allows you to purchase limited plots of virtual land, construct custom structures, and profit from user engagement.
Industry forecasts suggest property values in certain popular worlds will continue to rise. Investors who bought in early in top tier metaverse environments have seen significant appreciation in value, with some properties selling for physical world prices. We expect more of the same by 2025 as the tech becomes more mainstream.
Several platforms are leading the metaverse real estate charge, each with their own environment and community.
Decentraland – Decentraland is a decentralised framework where users can build 3D experiences, art galleries and venues. Many virtual plots have seen price increases due to business and collector interest.
The Sandbox – The Sandbox is a platform that combines gaming and digital property investment. Voxel based so it’s easy to create interactive spaces, brands and independent artists host exhibitions and events.
Other Emerging Worlds – As we head into 2025 new metaverse projects are launching with new concepts. Somnium Space is all about realism, CryptoVoxels is more minimalist. Each environment appeals to different user preferences which can impact property demand.
Real Estate Tokenization: The Next Big Thing
Tokenization has become a key part of digital property ownership. By representing virtual real estate as non-fungible tokens (NFTs), platforms make it easier to buy, sell or lease properties. These NFTs act as a transparent record of ownership, public proof of authenticity and a secure way to buy or sell.
Fractional ownership is another benefit of real estate tokenization. This allows multiple investors to buy into a digital property, even if the plot is too expensive for one person to buy on their own. NFT markets are also expanding peer-to-peer transaction options so property owners can complete deals quickly without intermediaries. We expect tokenization to continue to evolve by 2025 and open up new forms of crowdfunding, syndicates and monetisation.
ROI Potential in Virtual Real Estate
Returns can be good if you choose the right platform and go long-term. Several factors drive ROI in these digital spaces:
Community Size and Engagement – Popular platforms get more visitors, which increases the value and desirability of well-placed plots. Events like virtual concerts or brand partnerships drive demand.
Scarcity of Prime Locations – Just like physical real estate, certain areas near hubs or landmarks are more valuable. Buyers who position themselves well can see big gains.
Multiple Revenue Streams – Owners can build game environments, advertise products, host ticketed events or lease space to others. Each of these revenue streams adds to the overall return.
But don’t forget the market is still volatile and new. A few platforms have already seen price surges followed by crashes, so be cautious.
There are risks, but here are some ways to make informed decisions:
Research – Early buyers tend to research the history and growth potential of each platform. Looking at community activity, creative collaborations, and technical updates can give you an idea of where the project is headed.
Diversification – Some investors split their capital across multiple platforms to hedge against market fluctuations. Others diversify by having long-term holds and properties to flip if the market allows.
Community Involvement – Individuals benefit from being part of user-run forums, social media groups and in-world events. By building relationships and networking with other enthusiasts, you stay ahead of the curve.
The Future: Innovations & Predictions
Metaverse technology advancements have prompted developers to try new things that combine physical and virtual spaces. Some predict digital versions of real-world cities will emerge, and buyers will be able to buy virtual copies of famous landmarks.
Meanwhile, tokenization will go beyond just transactions and possibly integrate with the real world for legal contracts or property management. Brands will partner with virtual landowners to promote products and increase parcel value through immersive experiences that blur the line between marketing and entertainment. Regulatory frameworks are being considered in many regions as digital property investment becomes more mainstream.
Summary
Virtual real estate is where creativity meets technology meets opportunity. By 2025 we will see more platform innovation, more users and better tokenization. But volatility is part of any new market so do your research and plan carefully. If you do you’ll not only make money but be part of the digital society evolution.
Editor’s note: This article was written with the assistance of AI. Edited and fact-checked by Owen Skelton.
Owen Skelton is an experienced journalist and editor with a passion for delivering insightful and engaging content. As Editor-in-Chief, he leads a talented team of writers and editors to create compelling stories that inform and inspire.
Like the setting sun, 2024 has faded away. And like the rising sun, 2025 has come around far too early, far too bright and far too God-damn cheerful for its own good. The good news is that aside from squinting, complaining about it being too bright and wondering if it’s possible to get another 5 minutes, 2025 is shaping up to be a good year in videogames. Well, aside from all the industry turmoil which will hopefully settle its backside down this year.
2024 was a fairly crazy year for the industry as well. Obviously job losses continued to be a shadow looming over everything, but it was also the year where Xbox games came to PlayStation, the year where a PlayStation published game came to the Switch and where everyone openly discussed working on handheld consoles.
I did snag two Platinums in 2024: Astro Bot and Sly racoon
Anyway, getting on track, I was thinking about doing a New Year Resolution. Normally, I don’t care about that sort of thing, but this time I had a fun idea for myself: Platinum trophies. I’ve had an itch for the past 6 months or so to grab a few shiny trophies and that itch only got itchier when I wrote the guide to the most popular Platinum trophies. Looking at my own collection I have just 7 measly Platinums, a few of which came mostly by accident. Thus I hatched a plan: 12 Platinum trophies by 2026, increasing my horde by nearly 3 times should I actually manage it.
The big question, of course, is exactly what games I want to Platinum. There are so many good choices out there. I do have a few basic rules: I want to keep it to experiences that won’t take more than about 30-hours, purely so I can do an hour a day throughout the month. I’d love to put in more time, but I want to keep most of my gaming reserved for whatever title I’m reviewing. This will also help ensure none of the Platinum’s I hopefully acquire will be a lengthy grind, because I hate the idea if spending 100+ hours hunting down collectibles.
It goes without saying that I might end up trying to Platinum whatever game I’m reviewing, too. I am in no way limiting myself to 12 Platinums – if more happen to fall into place, I won’t be complaining.
And it also goes without saying that I will be avoiding the cheap Trophy tat that adorns the PlayStation storefront. I don’t want anything that gives me the Platinum just for hitting the start button and playing for five minutes.
I think I’m going to chase Trophies in games I haven’t played, too. It’s tempting to go back and finish up any games I’ve come close to getting the Platinum in already, and I may do a few, but I think I’d much rather play games I haven’t experienced before, or at the very least games I haven’t played in a very long time or played on another platform entirely.
Here’s a few I’m planning on doing or considering:
Sly 2
Sly 3
Ratchet & Clank (2016)
Ratchet and Clank: Size Matters
Toy Story 2
Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1 & 2
Horizon Zero Dawn Remaster
Evil West
Mass Effect Legendary Edition
Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor
Mafia: Definitive Edition
Doki-Doki Literature Club
Ghostbusters: The Video Game
Tunic
Maneater
Immortals of Aveum
Pacific Drive
Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered
Uncharted series
Concrete Genie
Alan Wake 2
Destrou All Humans
Destroy All Humans 2
Ape Escape
God of War 3 Remastered
As you can see, it’s a lengthy list mostly compiled by flicking through my backlog of games. And I’m sure there’s a billion more I’d love to try, because there are games coming out all of the time. Like, far too many.
If you have any suggestions for reasonably short, fun Platinum’s to chase I would appreciate hearing about them! Drop a comment below letting me know the coolest or more enjoyable Platinums you’ve chased.
And finally, should I keep you all updated on this little quest? Or should I just keep it to social media and a post here next year?
Speaking of social media, I’m on Bluesky now! Come find me at https://bsky.app/profile/badenronie.bsky.social
P.S. I have genuinely though about 3D printing each trophy as I get it, to create a little physical collectio.
Source: Coliseum
