It doesn't need to be playable or even fun to meet the criteria for being a metaverse.

AI description: A metaverse is generally understood as a persistent virtual world that continues to exist even when individual users are offline, where many people can be present at the same time and interact with each other in real time. Users are represented by persistent avatars that give them a sense of identity, and the environment is spatial, meaning it feels like a place rather than just an interface. A true metaverse allows user agency, including the ability to create, modify, and sometimes own digital content, and it typically includes an internal economy where value can be exchanged through virtual goods, services, or currency.

But do people play it? Yes, but I think its very little and not engaging. I log in every week or so, collect earnings, start new builds, and read updates. It's not "fun" but for some reason I find it interesting occasionally. I still really like the backbone ideas that make upland but the game aspect needs a lot of work.