2024-05-11T00:57:15-04:00 https://archinect.com/news/article/150305085/lumber-shortage-hits-the-metaverse-leads-to-construction-delays Alexander Walter 2022-04-01T08:00:00-04:00 >2024-03-15T01:45:58-04:00 <img src="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/23/23bb56dc68812895b219d72f07606ff6.jpg?fit=crop&auto=compress%2Cformat&enlarge=true&w=1200" border="0" /><p>A new report released today by the industry group Lumber Supply Research Group (LSRG) reveals a dramatically increased scarcity of lumber in the digital realm as demand for the sought-after material has skyrocketed within the last quarter, leading to significant price hikes and delays in construction projects throughout the industry. <br></p> <p>According to the report, average rates per cubic pixel of digital lumber have increased by 73% since the beginning of the year, marking a three-fold price jump compared to the beginning of Q2 2021. Throughout March alone, prices soared to unprecedented levels, leaving wholesale traders of the coveted commodity often without inventory and contractors stranded.<br></p> <p>"What the market has been experiencing over the past months can be attributed to two major factors," says LSRG analyst Michael Chen. "One reason is the unregulated deforestation in Minecraft which has left entire stretches of old-growth forest barren without sustainable concepts in place to replan...</p>