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Types of Things

This guide covers the Schema.org types used within MVMD. While Schema.org defines many types, we focus on those most relevant for Metaverse assets and experiences. As new recipes and use cases are added to MVMD, this guide will be updated with additional types.

Core Types​

CreativeWork​

Schema.org: Thing > CreativeWork

The most versatile base type for digital assets. Used for any creative content or intellectual creation.

{
  "@context": {
    "@vocab": "https://schema.org/",
    "mvmd": "https://mvmd.org/v1/"
  },
  "@type": "CreativeWork",
  "name": "Digital Asset",
  "creator": {
    "@type": "Organization",
    "name": "Digital Studio"
  }
}

Common uses:

  • Base type for complex assets
  • Collections of assets
  • Multi-part creations
  • Composite works

MediaObject​

Schema.org: Thing > CreativeWork > MediaObject

Base type for various media formats. Several specialized subtypes are commonly used:

ImageObject​

Schema.org: Thing > CreativeWork > MediaObject > ImageObject

Primary type for visual assets and previews:

{
  "@context": {
    "@vocab": "https://schema.org/",
    "mvmd": "https://mvmd.org/v1/"
  },
  "@type": "ImageObject",
  "name": "Asset Preview",
  "contentUrl": "https://example.com/preview.jpg",
  "encodingFormat": "image/jpeg",
  "width": "1024",
  "height": "1024"
}

Common uses:

  • Asset previews
  • Thumbnails
  • Textures
  • Reference images

3DModel​

Schema.org: Thing > CreativeWork > MediaObject > 3DModel

Specialized type for three-dimensional assets:

{
  "@context": {
    "@vocab": "https://schema.org/",
    "mvmd": "https://mvmd.org/v1/",
    "gltf": "https://www.khronos.org/gltf/"
  },
  "@type": "3DModel",
  "name": "Detailed Model",
  "contentUrl": "https://example.com/model.glb",
  "encodingFormat": "model/gltf-binary"
}

Common uses:

  • Virtual objects
  • Character models
  • Environmental elements
  • Interactive props

Place​

Schema.org: Thing > Place

Used specifically for digital representations of physical locations (digital twins):

{
  "@context": {
    "@vocab": "https://schema.org/",
    "mvmd": "https://mvmd.org/v1/"
  },
  "@type": "Place",
  "name": "Digital Museum Twin",
  "description": "Digital twin of the Metropolitan Museum",
  "maximumAttendeeCapacity": 1000,
  "geo": {
    "@type": "GeoCoordinates",
    "latitude": 40.7794,
    "longitude": -73.9632
  },
  "address": {
    "@type": "PostalAddress",
    "streetAddress": "1000 Fifth Avenue",
    "addressLocality": "New York"
  },
  "amenityFeature": [
    {
      "@type": "LocationFeatureSpecification",
      "name": "Spawn Points",
      "value": 4
    },
    {
      "@type": "LocationFeatureSpecification",
      "name": "Arena Size",
      "value": "100x100"
    }
  ]
}

Common uses:

  • Digital twins of real buildings
  • Virtual representations of physical spaces
  • Mapped physical environments
  • Real-world location references

VirtualLocation​

Schema.org: Thing > Intangible > VirtualLocation

Used for purely virtual spaces in the metaverse:

{
  "@context": {
    "@vocab": "https://schema.org/",
    "mvmd": "https://mvmd.org/v1/"
  },
  "@type": "VirtualLocation",
  "name": "Tech Summit Plaza",
  "description": "A virtual conference space in the Metaverse featuring multiple presentation areas, networking zones, and interactive exhibits.",
  "image": "https://example.com/virtual-locations/tech-summit-plaza.jpg",
  "url": "https://meta.example.com/locations/tech-summit-plaza",
  "potentialAction": {
    "@type": "JoinAction",
    "target": {
      "@type": "EntryPoint",
      "urlTemplate": "https://example.com/join/tech-summit-plaza?userId={userId}",
      "actionPlatform": [
        "https://schema.org/DesktopWebPlatform",
        "https://schema.org/VRHeadset"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Common uses:

  • Virtual meeting spaces
  • Game environments
  • Fantasy locations
  • Abstract spaces

Event

A Schema.org Type
Thing > Event

An event happening at a certain time and location, such as a concert, lecture, or festival. Events can be held in both physical locations and virtual spaces.

Example​

{
  "@context": "https://schema.org/",
  "@type": "Event",
  "name": "Future of Digital Worlds Summit 2024",
  "description": "Annual conference exploring the intersection of virtual worlds, gaming, and digital society",
  "startDate": "2024-09-15T09:00:00-07:00",
  "endDate": "2024-09-17T17:00:00-07:00",
  "eventStatus": "EventScheduled",
  "eventAttendanceMode": "MixedEventAttendanceMode",
  "location": [
    {
      "@type": "Place",
      "name": "Tech Convention Center",
      "address": {
        "@type": "PostalAddress",
        "streetAddress": "123 Innovation Blvd",
        "addressLocality": "San Francisco",
        "addressRegion": "CA",
        "postalCode": "94105",
        "addressCountry": "US"
      }
    },
    {
      "@type": "VirtualLocation",
      "name": "Digital Summit Space",
      "url": "https://summit.example.com/virtual-venue"
    }
  ],
  "maximumVirtualAttendeeCapacity": 2000,
  "maximumPhysicalAttendeeCapacity": 500,
  "offers": [
    {
      "@type": "Offer",
      "name": "In-Person Full Pass",
      "price": 599.00,
      "priceCurrency": "USD"
    },
    {
      "@type": "Offer",
      "name": "Virtual Attendance",
      "price": 199.00,
      "priceCurrency": "USD"
    }
  ]
}

Common uses:

  • Virtual conferences and meetups
  • Live streaming events
  • Social gatherings in virtual worlds
  • Mixed reality performances

SoftwareApplication​

Schema.org: Thing > CreativeWork > SoftwareApplication

Used for interactive applications and experiences:

{
  "@context": {
    "@vocab": "https://schema.org/",
    "mvmd": "https://mvmd.org/v1/"
  },
  "@type": "SoftwareApplication",
  "name": "Virtual Gallery Creator",
  "applicationCategory": "Virtual Reality Application",
  "applicationSubCategory": "Content Creation",
  "operatingSystem": "Quest OS",
  "softwareVersion": "2.1.0",
  "downloadUrl": "https://store.example.com/virtual-gallery-creator",
  "installUrl": "https://install/virtual-gallery-creator",
  "screenshot": {
    "@type": "ImageObject",
    "url": "https://example.com/gallery-creator-screenshot.jpg",
    "width": "1920",
    "height": "1080"
  }
}

Common uses:

  • Interactive experiences
  • Virtual applications
  • Games
  • Tools

DigitalDocument​

Schema.org: Thing > CreativeWork > DigitalDocument

Used for documentation and text-based assets:

{
  "@context": {
    "@vocab": "https://schema.org/",
    "mvmd": "https://mvmd.org/v1/"
  },
  "@type": "DigitalDocument",
  "name": "User Guide",
  "encodingFormat": "text/markdown",
  "abstract": "Guide to using virtual space"
}

Common uses:

  • Documentation
  • Guides
  • Specifications
  • Instructions

Type Relationships​

Types can be related in several ways:

Inheritance​

Many types inherit from broader types:

  • 3DModel is a type of MediaObject
  • MediaObject is a type of CreativeWork
  • All types ultimately derive from Thing

Composition​

Types can be composed using various properties:

  • mainEntity: The primary object
  • hasPart: Direct components
  • associatedMedia: Related media
  • encodesCreativeWork: Embedded content
  • subjectOf: Related documentation

Please review the Composition page for details.

References​

Types can reference each other:

  • image: Link to an ImageObject
  • mainEntityOfPage: Primary subject
  • sameAs: Alternative versions

Please review the References page for details.

Best Practices​

  1. Type Selection

    • Choose the most specific applicable type
    • Consider required properties
    • Think about relationships
    • Plan for extensions

  2. Property Usage

    • Include all required properties
    • Use optional properties appropriately
    • Maintain consistency
    • Document custom properties

  3. Type Relationships

    • Define clear hierarchies
    • Use appropriate relationship properties
    • Document dependencies
    • Maintain referential integrity

Future Types​

As MVMD evolves, additional types will be documented here based on:

  • New use cases identified
  • Additional recipes created
  • Community feedback
  • Platform requirements

For a complete list of available Schema.org types, visit the full documentation.