Just as how the world of innovation kicked things off eloquently with automating simple mechanical operations and utilizing steam, the tiptoeing 4IR brought upon several the simplification of several sophisticated technological operations. A long-awaited integration happens to be metaverse – a realm within technology that connects the user with explicit virtual reality which further goes into fusing digital environments accessed by the user via Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality. While the buzzword has existed since long as a day to day jargon used to describe open-world gaming whereby player to player interaction can be facilitated as being real-time interactions and movements that can be tracked accordingly, the metaverse is more of the next phase of the evolution of the internet which promises to offer multidimensional interaction of users amongst themselves and available content – making the entire experience further immersive and realistic. The sci-fi world which was once regarded as fiction has never been any closer to existence up until now.
A Thought to Marvel
A world of unparalleled interaction which brings the internet to life has always been a dream of many. With Facebook going “Meta”, Mark Zuckerberg has shown keen interest in being the torchbearer of bringing the metaverse to life. It aims to exemplify innovation by synchronizing its key interests of commerce, virtual reality, communities, and creators by focusing on products blended with the all-embracing bigger picture of the metaverse.
Mark Zuckerberg has always been seen to have brought change and innovation through systematic business decisions leading to significant results for himself and his consumers. Even if the tech expert has been under observation from the elite executive authority throughout the past, he always has a way to get back. This time he has his eyes on deviating from being ‘just a social media’ platform to being a metaverse company.
1) It’s not about the internet but about interaction
The metaverse would be more of a superior medium for interaction amongst users rather than the internet itself. As an example, rather than just viewing content from creators, users would possibly be able to be within it and interact, consume as well as experience the feeling of being around people rather than just viewing a 2D projection.
2) A well-deserved deviation from glowing rectangular screens
Through the metaverse, users would no longer be restricted to their device screens and the experience derived will no longer be limited to superficially perceived graphics and animations. Instead, it would become an opportunity to dive into the sensation of actually being present within. For instance, users may be able to enjoy the first-hand experience of being within concerts of their desired artists and live in the moment rather than just viewing a one-off view that has been pre-intended by the creator who filmed it. This could be one of the reasons why the metaverse is the next big thing. Since users are getting a firsthand look at this new world, more developers are coming up with innovative ways to monetize these networks. For example, you might now play nft video games games and earn money while having a good time.
3) Grids no more
Be it online meetings or just random scrolls down the app screen, grids are all that users come across – elaborated matrices of apps or meeting participants that have been installed or admitted being displayed in a way just how the user intends to. However, with the metaverse, grids would be eliminated. Users would be able to exist and interact with their loved ones in a way that would cater to their need of real-time existence making meetings more interactive and key points spoken online being easier to remember. Furthermore, users would not be limited to app icons and maybe rather normalized in working in VR headsets – made comfortable as per modern needs – the entire day. As such, their virtual existence within the metaverse would be just a tap away from their devices. E.g. One may be able to navigate through their desired items and feeds without being compelled to skim through countless items and selections that are not required.
4) Teleport as per need
With the metaverse by one’s side, access to events surrounded by emotions and festivities would become further accessible. Users would be able to teleport themselves, bringing along their objects and belongings with them so as to exist within their desired moment or event. This would further open up the doors of opportunity for creators since they would be able to express their creativity by designing, facilitating, and grasping opportunities from such meeting spaces for events or programs within the metaverse. E.g. An artist may be able to hold their own art exhibition within a meeting space within the metaverse.
Roadway to Metaverse
Facebook has its hopes high for the metaverse. Inferentially, according to Mark Zuckerberg, the metaverse may be a space for independent booming economies and socioeconomic inclusivity aimed towards mass inclusion and not profit maximization. This may be a consequent result of job creation by the metaverse for creators, artists, etc. signifying collaboration, work, and growth which would further amplify sustenance of technology and adaptation across consumer groups so as to maximize the reach of the metaverse and include as many users as possible – just like social media.
Meta and Metaverse – anticipated complications
Meta has always been concerned with regulations and policies against it. There have been several issues that have caused the elite authority to grow suspicious of the platform, such as the Facebook–Cambridge Analytica data scandal. With such historical complications in mind, Meta has expressed concerns aimed towards the regulation of the metaverse since it is intended to be an open platform.
Furthermore, it has also demonstrated heed towards the gender skew and keeping the metaverse as a safe space for female consumers so as to diminish the day-to-day problems faced by women across Facebook and gaming platforms.
Moreover, Meta believes that the maximal benefit of the multiverse can be achieved through extensive collaboration and interoperability. Companies should be reluctant on designing their own metaverses and restricting products and services under singular platforms so that data and products/services can easily be transacted and shared. The company has also started working on Quest headsets for VR and is working on AR headsets – the key components of existence in the multiverse. In addition, if the policies revolving around related companies who work with technological products are aligned with the greater societal interests of Meta, it would result in synergy being achieved and the metaverse being a viable reality very soon.
Who else is joining in?
Apart from Meta, other key players of the contextual market have shown interest in joining the road paving the way towards a multidimensional metaverse crossing off barriers and borders from teleportation. Microsoft has mentioned their plans on combining their digital and physical dimensions, implying probable plans on racing into the multiverse.
ROBLOX – a popular open-world game has often described itself as to have been a part of the multiverse since the game enables real-time interaction and movement, maximizing the state of being immersive and causing the player to feel the presence of others and make their presence felt within the dimensions of the game.
Additionally, Fortnite from Epic Games has already expanded its product in recent years into a further range of hosting concerts, branded events, and further additions within its digital world. The game itself also stands as being a fan favorite real-time game, renowned and widely acknowledged for its immersive gameplay.
In other instances, Nvidia is putting in effort onto its very own omniverse and Unity is doing so on the creation of digital twins – replicas of the real world. Under both circumstances, success would result in digital games under these names becoming further realistic and immersive, subsequently leading to heightened senses of real-time existence and possibilities of an interoperable metaverse.
What to Expect from the Metaverse?
Just as how every great creation was once just an idea derived from a dream narrowed down and worked upon, the metaverse tends to be the same. However, this dream has existed throughout time. Yet, provided that the probable needs which have been stipulated by visionaries are met, the metaverse would not be long before it is available as the new normal for technological devices and users.
In event of the metaverse’s success, the heights of connectivity and interaction between online platforms, features, and humans would indeed be redefined. As a result, we may adopt a rather new culture for work and online interaction with our friends, loved ones, and colleagues. Online content would undeniably need to become just as good so as to ensure that brands and businesses are able to stay relevant to retain customers and not lose out. However, upon introduction, there would undeniably be a span of time required for the shift in preference and habits to deviate and reform accordingly.
-Written By Mohaimenul Solaiman Nicholas
