The metaverse has recently become a popular issue of discussion, with both Facebook and Microsoft claiming ownership. But, first and foremost, what is the metaverse? And when is it going to arrive? The metaverse, on the other hand, isn’t a brand-new concept. The word has been around for a long time. The technology concepts that underpin virtual reality, augmented reality, and 3D computing are all rather old. The current surge of interest is only the most recent peak in a years-long effort to make these advancements accessible to the general public.
What has changed is a shift in perception, a belief that the internet must be redefined. It’s anyone’s guess how far-reaching such changes will be. After all, the metaverse’s road plan is just half-completed. It’s unclear whether it will be completed on time. What is certain is that if there is money to be made, huge corporations will participate.
Qualcomm, Nvidia, Valve, Epic, HTC, and Apple, in addition to Microsoft and Meta, are also working on new ways to connect online. It’s unclear whether these initiatives will be stand-alone or linked. What’s certain is that you’ll be hearing a lot more about the metaverse in the coming years.
“Metaverse” is a combination of the words “meta-” and “verse.” The prefix “meta” is of Greek origin and means “beyond,” while “verse” is derived from the term “universe.” Neal Stephenson’s dystopian novel Snow Crash, published in 1992, was the first to employ it in fiction. The metaverse is depicted in the novel as the next step in the evolution of the internet, a form of virtual reality in which any virtual contact can have a direct impact on the real world.
The metaverse, unfortunately, is a mushy idea. It’s generally described as online environments where individuals may socialize, work, and play as avatars, and it’s a progression of the internet. Those places are shared and always available; unlike a Zoom call, they don’t vanish once you’ve finished using them. Many individuals believe the metaverse already exists in the digital worlds of Roblox, Minecraft, and Fortnite, which allow players to interact in 2D surroundings. The original metaverse is Second Life, a nearly two-decade-old social and gaming platform.
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, and other supporters envision a more immersive experience that combines a variety of existing technology, including virtual reality headsets, mobile devices, personal PCs, and cloud-connected servers. These futurists envisage the creation of a 3D virtual environment that may be accessed through the use of a headset or augmented reality glasses. There’s no consensus on whether you’ll need VR or AR to access the metaverse, but they do go hand in hand. That means these headsets will work with whatever is available. Meta, Sony, Apple, and maybe more are anticipated to release new VR and mixed reality headsets this year.
The common thread in all is that the metaverse is a virtual reality wherein, depending on the advancement of the era, people will be able to do everything they do in real life. Digital neighborhoods, parks and clubs will spring up, possibly in a single virtual world or spread across many. Some people see a metaverse that overlaps with the physical world and includes AR overlays. Investors are already splashing out on plots of virtual land. Barbados has indicated it wants an embassy in the metaverse, underscoring the cachet the concept has generated.
The deluxe Metaverse – the one that requires a headset – is based on the concept of an immersive, 360-degree digital universe. You’ll have your own avatar that you can customize, as well as digital assets with titles that will most likely be stored on a blockchain. Some believe you’ll acquire digital land and construct online homes where you may entertain your friends or at least their avatars.
Although this may appear outlandish or crazy, bets on the value of digital land have already begun. Others see a more fluid encounter. Simpler metaverse experiences, like Roblox or Fortnite, are currently available. Those games aren’t as immersive as the metaverse Zuck mentions, but they give you a good idea of what’s coming.
All of the activities we do on the internet already point to how the metaverse might develop. There will be some gaming, Zoom telepresence, VR and AR splashes, and plenty of social media. Expect a lot of tries to bring it all together in a way that’s enjoyable or beneficial.
Some skeptics doubt that the metaverse will be everything that Zuck and others claim. Many people point to the bulky headsets that will be required to reach the metaverse’s most fascinating areas. They claim that Big Tech has yet to figure out how to stop hate speech, misinformation, and bullying on the internet. Getting a hold on those issues in an even more freewheeling atmosphere, they believe, will be difficult.
Whatever the case may be, the metaverse is a place where we may study, construct, play, communicate, and collaborate with everyone on the planet. At the same time, it makes the world smaller by linking us regardless of our geographical location, and it makes the world more significant by providing more chances.
When used appropriately, the metaverse has the potential to bring people together like never before, allowing us new ways to communicate regardless of language barriers or geographic location. It might be the start of new contexts in which we can create entirely new economies based on value sharing. Fans of the metaverse see it as the start of a new era, one in which experiences are created by people, for people, in an increasingly accessible landscape.
Check out my related post: How was the escape room invented?
Interesting reads:
https://www.wired.com/story/what-is-the-metaverse/
https://www.td.org/atd-blog/what-is-the-metaverse-where-we-are-and-where-were-headed
https://time.com/6116826/what-is-the-metaverse/
https://www.augustman.com/sg/gear/tech/what-is-metaverse-and-how-does-it-work/
https://www.xrtoday.com/mixed-reality/what-is-the-metaverse/
https://joshbersin.com/2021/11/what-is-the-metaverse-and-how-microsoft-disney-and-amazon-could-win/
https://fortune.com/2021/12/07/how-i-signed-up-metaverse/
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/10/style/metaverse-virtual-worlds.html
https://www.mercurynews.com/2022/01/20/what-is-the-metaverse-and-how-do-you-get-there/
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