Along with cryptocurrency, Metaverse is another big term we usually see on the internet. This term has been in existence for a long time but started trending after Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg confirm his commitment to developing a metaverse ecosystem. Zuckerberg even renamed the company, Meta. Now we are seeing several companies taking interest in the metaverse. Many people think that Metaverse is the future. If you usually see the term Metaverse but are not sure what exactly is the Metaverse, keep reading. In this detailed article, I will explain Metaverse.
What is Metaverse?
Metaverse is a digital or virtual world where real people will exist in the form of their digital avatars. You can enter into metaverse using a VR headset and then interact with other people’s virtual avatars, visit different places or chill with friends.
In different role-playing games, we already jump into a virtual world, interact with digital objects, and do several things in that virtual world. But Metaverse full fully immersive where you will feel like you are actually into it.
Have a look at the photo where some people located in different locations are having a meeting in the metaverse.
The metaverse will have virtual shopping malls where your virtual avatar will go and shop using virtual currencies, possibly cryptocurrencies. You can watch movies with friends, visit different places and spend time together.
Metaverse is not just a VR platform but a complex digital environment that will rely on several things including hi-tech hardware, fast connectivity, 3D visualization and modeling frameworks, digital assets. AI, and Blockchain.
Nvidia is playing a key role in making metaverse a reality. A few months back, it announced Omniverse Enterprise. It is an end-to-end collaboration and simulation platform that brings 3D graphics, AI, and supercomputing together. It lays the foundations of the metaverse.
The History Of The Metaverse
Metaverse term was first used by author Neal Stephenson in his 1992 novel Snow Crash. His book was about people who spend their time in the metaverse. The virtual world platform Second Life is often seen as the first metaverse We have also seen the use of metaverse in several fiction novels and movies. If you have watched Black Mirror, Episode 2 of season 1 has shown us a glimpse of the metaverse.
Where are we already?
Different companies are now taking interest in the metaverse. Some even confirmed their plans and showed us early prototypes.
Microsoft is taking Teams to metaverse where video calls will be replaced with virtual meetings. The company calls it Mesh for Teams. Your digital avatars will meet with other people’s virtual avatars in an immersive virtual space.
Recently, Accenture unveiled its virtual office called Nth Floor. Employees can virtually visit this office and interact with other people’s avatar
Check this video.
Disney also confirmed its plans to connect the digital and physical worlds. So, you can actually interact with Disney movie characters. How about meeting Elsa from the movie Frozen in her own Palace?
Netflix is also looking into metaverse opportunities. Maybe you could watch Netflix shows and movies with your friends in a virtual movie theater. Popular gaming company Epic Games has also confirmed its plans for Metaverse. It has also announced $1 billion to fuel growth opportunities for the metaverse.
Nike is already preparing for the Metaverse. It planning to make virtual clothes for your virtual avatars. The company has already filed seven trademark applications for the metaverse.
How close we are to Metaverse?
Although we have videos to have an idea of how different companies are planning for metaverse, we are still not close to the metaverse. VR headsets are still bulky and people cannot use them for a long time. Assume having 2 hours of virtual meeting in the metaverse. That would be a pain for sure. We are being shown how Metaverse will be without telling us how we will get into it. VR headsets, motion tracking devices, and powerful computers will be the key things. It still needs a lot of work in making compact VR headsets and devices that could get us into the metaverse. It will surely take decades to build the metaverse.
