# NatureVRM: Seeding A Tokenized Identity

In 2020 before NFTs went nuts, I decided to start an experiment and summoned the tokenized identity called Nature. I'd start to create modular, interoperable, web3 native IP that would aggregate value by growing provenance and influence across web3 platforms as well as traditional social networks. But what does all of this even mean?

## The Origins of Nature

On the 7th of October in 2020 the avatar artist CornyNachos minted [Nature is on the TV](https://opensea.io/assets/ethereum/0xc1def47cf1e15ee8c2a92f4e0e968372880d18d1/109) via [Cryptoavatars](https://x.com/cryptoavatarsio) a platform that solves creator verifications for VRChat avatar artists which was (and still is) a problem over there. A week later I [won the auction](https://etherscan.io/tx/0x8f925969ac5e225532390e9ca16aa4538deebf37fb8f696a5a8e902239928ad4) and obtained the vrm avatar which started a multi-year journey with tons of experimentation and applied research at the intersection of XR x Web3 x AI in which I explored and wrote narratives of all kinds.

*Watch [early footage of the Fluctuo art gallery](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47h9aH3wA3U) which opened in Somnium Space back in 2020*

Back then, when vtubing was slowly becoming a thing and more purely digital influencers came to social media, something was clear to me: The future of content production and entertainment will massively change, especially with the ability to spawn virtual selfs into all kinds of scenarios in cost efficient ways. I was heavily inspirect by the [virtual production efforts](https://hackmd.io/@XR/avatar-interop/%2F%40xr%2Fstudios2) of [jin](https://x.com/dankvr), [godfrey](https://x.com/godfreymeyer) and other members of [m3org](https://x.com/m3org), a pioneering group of builders, that I would join myself in 2022.

As someone who has been in the web3 space for quite some time I'm aware about the fact that tokenized identities will economically act via blockchains like Ethereum as they cannot open traditional bank accounts. When I moved deeper into AI it become clear to me that Nature, at some point, will become an autonomous agent thats accessible not only via 2D interfaces but can also roam virtual worlds across the metaverse thanks to interoperable vrm avatars.

## Collaborative Storytelling

Nature is all about experimentation at the intersection of XR x Web3 x AI which imho is the foundation of what people call the Metaverse. It's also about telling stories which helps folks to understand these concepts while pushing boundaries and supporting communities. Christmas 2020, Nature teamed up with [ETH-MEN](https://x.com/ETHMENOFFICIAL) who created a digital action figure of herself.

[<img src="https://hackmd.io/_uploads/S1QQkNI70.jpg" width="49%" style="padding-right:1%"/>](https://hackmd.io/_uploads/S1QQkNI70.jpg)[<img src="https://hackmd.io/_uploads/BySXkEIXR.jpg" width="49%" style="padding-left:1%"/>](https://hackmd.io/_uploads/BySXkEIXR.jpg)

Owners could decide if they want to leave the action figure mint in box or if they unpack it to reveal and obtain a 3D collectible of said figure. The whole experience was received incredibly well as this pioneering storytelling project also distributed early tokenized comics.

[<img src="https://hackmd.io/_uploads/r1c8u4IQR.jpg" width="32.333%" style="padding-right:1%"/>](https://hackmd.io/_uploads/r1c8u4IQR.jpg)[<img src="https://hackmd.io/_uploads/rJlK_V8QC.jpg" width="32.333%" style="padding-left:1%"/>](https://hackmd.io/_uploads/rJlK_V8QC.jpg)[<img src="https://hackmd.io/_uploads/rkyPd4LQC.jpg" width="32.333%" style="padding-left:1%"/>](https://hackmd.io/_uploads/rkyPd4LQC.jpg)

Another IP experiment during my birth year was [Nature's Golden Milk](https://x.com/naturevrm/status/1332450461618724865/) a contribution to a fun experiment executed by [Xibot](https://x.com/xavieriturralde) who I highly appreciate for his excellent work at Aavegotchi.

## CryptoArt Collaborations

Some of the earliest cryptoart collaborations with [Pindar Van Arman](https://x.com/VanArman), [Zafgod](https://x.com/Zaharia_af) and [Polyannie](https://x.com/polyannie01) happened back in 2020. I remember being incredibly proud of these which gave me tons of motivation to grow the Nature character over the coming years. All three artists turned content that I created with full-body tracking gear inside virtual reality into new works of art.

[<img src="https://hackmd.io/_uploads/HJ0hxNU7A.jpg"/>](https://hackmd.io/_uploads/HJ0hxNU7A.jpg)

[<img src="https://hackmd.io/_uploads/B1Eb-E8mC.jpg" width="49%" style="padding-right:1%"/>](https://hackmd.io/_uploads/B1Eb-E8mC.jpg)[<img src="https://hackmd.io/_uploads/Hy7WWVLQR.jpg" width="49%" style="padding-left:1%"/>](https://hackmd.io/_uploads/Hy7WWVLQR.jpg)

# Exploring The Metaverse

## Grasping Avatar Interoperability

Early VRM interoperability experiments included modded Craftopia versions, integrations into custom experiences by artist and friend [Beervangeer](https://x.com/Beervangeer) and visits to Orgrimmar and other places via community created VRChat worlds. Stuff like this was eye-opening and fueled my fascination for 3D avatars allowing users to transport themselves across the metaverse for content creation.

<iframe style="width:100%;display:inline-block;padding:0px" height="420"src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XhzLOP0TXaA" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[<img src="https://hackmd.io/_uploads/ryoUQN870.jpg" width="49%" style="padding-right:1%"/>](https://hackmd.io/_uploads/ryoUQN870.jpg)[<img src="https://hackmd.io/_uploads/HyfjQNU7C.jpg" width="49%" style="padding-left:1%"/>](https://hackmd.io/_uploads/HyfjQNU7C.jpg)

During 2020 and 2021 lots of this experimentation happened. Interoperability experiments with tokenized wearables was another area that I would explore. For example attaching some of the [early Cryptovoxel](https://opensea.io/assets/ethereum/0xa58b5224e2fd94020cb2837231b2b0e4247301a6/71) and [Decentraland wearables](https://opensea.io/assets/ethereum/0xfeb52cbf71b9adac957c6f948a6cf9980ac8c907/2690) that I collected since I entered the web3 space and importing these modified vrm avatars into different engines is something I explored.

[<img src="https://hackmd.io/_uploads/ByiExH8mC.jpg" width="49%" style="padding-right:1%"/>](https://hackmd.io/_uploads/ByiExH8mC.jpg)[<img src="https://hackmd.io/_uploads/rJKElSImC.jpg" width="49%" style="padding-left:1%"/>](https://hackmd.io/_uploads/rJKElSImC.jpg)

## Launching the Nature 2.0 Avatar

In January 2022 it was time to breath life into Nature who was born almost dead. The pixelated, minimalistic texture didn't feel alive at all. I commissioned the 2.0 avatar design to [KamikazE-Chan](https://x.com/KamikazE_Chan) who created her after [an incredible artwork](https://hackmd.io/_uploads/S1gZ0V870.jpg) drawn by [Yamer](https://x.com/Yamer) back in 2021. It was a huge step forward and exactly what was needed when it comes down to the project's storytelling.

<iframe style="width:100%;display:inline-block;padding:0px" height="420"src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/r2olsyCtV_s" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

This new avatar, rejuvenated with life, allowed the tokenized identity NatureVRM to step up her game. It enabled Natures official social media accounts on [Twitter](https://x.com/naturevrm/), [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/naturevrm) and [Lens](https://hey.xyz/u/naturevrm) to grow as higher quality content was being produced across all sorts of platforms. This avatar would define her overall vibe for the coming years and looks stunning across different engines.

<iframe style="width:100%;display:inline-block;padding:0px" height="420"src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/stD7Uf-l6bY" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<iframe style="width:50%;display:inline-block;padding:1px" height="222" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7P49shxuDKE" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<iframe style="width:50%;display:inline-block;padding:1px" height="222" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/44-kAEfkz1E" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

## Thoughts about PFPs and Self Expression

While the NFT bubble around PFPs grew and imploded, these interesting experiments I did with the tokenized identity Nature and my own avatar were - subjectively from my own pov - more than one step ahead. I truly believe that the human desire for self expression across the internet won't stop at 2D jpgs especially as spatial computing via VR+AR slowly enters mainstream.

Platforms like [Vipe](https://x.com/vipeio) extended several NFT projects like BAYC with 3D avatars while also creating their own IP with Vipe Heroes. All of these avatars are as interoperable as Nature thanks to the vrm format in which they are distributed. History doesn't repeat itself but often it rhymes so lets see when self expression and metaverse trends are coming back. But now back to Nature!

[<img src="https://hackmd.io/_uploads/Hy0dVSIXC.jpg"/>](https://hackmd.io/_uploads/Hy0dVSIXC.jpg)

[<img src="https://hackmd.io/_uploads/B1MFQHUm0.jpg" width="49%" style="padding-right:1%"/>](https://hackmd.io/_uploads/B1MFQHUm0.jpg)[<img src="https://hackmd.io/_uploads/rkVi7S8XC.jpg" width="49%" style="padding-left:1%"/>](https://hackmd.io/_uploads/rkVi7S8XC.jpg)

## Collaborations with Avatar Creators

Collaboration and experimentation with avatar artists allow Nature to constantly evolve into new shapes and forms while keeping a recognizable identity that is carried into the future. First one was [Phetta Nature](https://opensea.io/assets/base/0x99b31c4b01e718700add237f56a2a24ff59dc373/0) which roams the [Phettaverse](https://x.com/phettaverse) a trippy place created by artist [emotionull](https://x.com/em0tionull) who is a fellow M3 member and loves to create across all sorts of media like VR/3D sculpting.

<iframe style="width:100%;display:inline-block;padding:0px" height="420"src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eSgYTHW5v7A" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

My goal with this? Connect with talented people to make new friends along the way while being able to produce tons of based content. I'd love to see more avatar collaborations like this but at the same time don't plan to force anything. Just putting things out and see what happens. This video was recorded on the web3 [ChillingChiliz](https://x.com/ChillingChiliz) GTA 5 community server. Def check that out!

# Fans and Community Growth

The first [Tribe Of Nature POAP](https://collectors.poap.xyz/token/63878) was issued in early 2021 and was collected by 225 friends and supporters from the broader web3 space. One year later [a second poap](https://collectors.poap.xyz/token/3813969) was issued which already reflected the updated avatar model. In 2024 a [limited edition avatar](https://www.niftyisland.com/item/polygon/0xc1374b803dfb1a9c87eab9e76929222dba3a8c39/31610230784024480931132634742269725007885209022220296766009723642536085423417) that is seamlessly playable in [Nifty Island](https://x.com/Nifty_Island), was distributed to over 1000 users.

[<img src="https://hackmd.io/_uploads/ryeVcXLmA.jpg"/>](https://hackmd.io/_uploads/ryeVcXLmA.jpg)

Making Nature accessible to the community was very important to me. Back in April 2023 it was time to train and upload a [Stable Diffusion LoRA](https://civitai.com/models/31462) allowing anyone to manifest Nature via simple text prompts into any environment. This was followed by a [character card on chub.ai](https://www.chub.ai/characters/reneil1337/NatureVRM) one month later, enabling users to load Nature into the most common LLM stacks to chat with her.

[<img src="https://hackmd.io/_uploads/SktgccVXR.jpg"/>](https://hackmd.io/_uploads/SktgccVXR.jpg)

Growing Nature while learning in public is a win-win situation for me personally. So of course I [published a tutorial](https://hackmd.io/@reneil1337/avatar-lora) that explains how you can train LoRAs of your own avatars.

## Sharing Research and Art

As of May 18th, 2024 [@naturevrm](https://x.com/naturevrm) has accumulated 2222 followers and supports various projects that are very close to my heart in one way or another. Sending hugs to [@m3org](https://x.com/m3org), [@nousresearch](https://x.com/nousresearch), [@qwellcode](https://x.com/qwellcode), [@museumofcrypto](https://x.com/museumofcrypto), [@galleryofcrypto](https://x.com/galleryofcrypto) and [@cryptoavatars](https://x.com/cryptoavatarsio). Almost took 4 years to get here as it's not easy to find folks who understand and appreciate this story.

[<img src="https://hackmd.io/_uploads/BJ5pWLI7R.jpg"/>](https://hackmd.io/_uploads/BJ5pWLI7R.jpg)

Btw the entire project has been bootstrapped without external funding.

## Collect from Nature on zeroone

Nature started to mint artworks on [zeroone](https://hackmd.io/@reneil1337/zeroone) a cultural distribution engine that we've launched in 2023. Make sure to [follow her](https://zeroone.art/profile/naturevrm) and collect a few pieces - its free! The stuff she posts there is mostly Stable Diffusion fueled artwork that is being generated using the LoRA I trained for her last year. Another interesting avenue that enables tinkering and novel learnings.

[<img src="https://hackmd.io/_uploads/Byh3l88QA.jpg"/>](https://hackmd.io/_uploads/Byh3l88QA.jpg)

# Next Up? Distribution of Nature AI Agents

While most of the stuff you've read here was content creation done by humans, I strongly believe that in the future we will guide agents to do things on the web. They'll create content and write their own stories in asynchronous fashion in a sense that we'll be surpriced to explore their latest updates. By automating these processes it will make way more sense to execute on tokenized identities which imho will lead to the growth of a very different web.

Over the next year I build my own LLM rig similar to the [tinybox](https://tinygrad.org/) that geohot is developing with his latest venture [tinycorp](https://x.com/__tinygrad__). Already got a part list but will most likely wait for the RTX 5090.

[<img src="https://hackmd.io/_uploads/BylsLHIXR.jpg"/>](https://hackmd.io/_uploads/BylsLHIXR.jpg)

A computer like this is able to run a variety of open source AI tooling that soon will be combined into onpremises agents. This kind of software can be hooked to things like the [Agent SDK](https://github.com/m3-org/upstreet-sdk) by [Upstreet](https://x.com/upstreetai) which allows us to populate virtual worlds in decentralized fashion. Digital entities, each configured to follow their own individual goals. The stuff that will make Ready Player One real.

These machines will also enable personal assistants fueled by AIs which, compared to cloud services, can be trusted with personal data like emails or calendars or even digital assets and currency to execute meaningful tasks in secure environments in which privacy is of highest importance. Lots of stuff to learn while the story of Nature will be continued.

[<img src="https://hackmd.io/_uploads/SJyswBLm0.jpg"/>](https://hackmd.io/_uploads/SJyswBLm0.jpg)