Metaverse: the new universe everyone aspires to be in

The “latest fad” in the tech world is the metaverse. But like all things technological, very few people really know what it is, even though many claim to know about it, even though everyone wants to have it.

According to the Anaya Dictionary of Language, metaverse or metauniverse is “a concept that denotes the next generation of the internet, and describes an immersive and multisensory experience in the applied use of various devices and technological developments on the internet.

A less academic definition places it as “a combination of multiple elements of technology, such as virtual reality, augmented reality and video, in which users ‘live’ within a digital universe”.

Supporters of the metaverse envision their users working, playing and staying connected with their friends through everything from concerts and conferences to virtual trips around the world.

And what is the metaverse?

Writer Neal Stephenson is credited with coining the term “metaverse” in his 1992 science fiction novel Snow Crash. In that novel, he imagined life-like avatars meeting in realistic 3D buildings and other virtual reality environments.

Since that time, several developments have marked milestones on the road to a real metaverse, an online virtual world that incorporates augmented reality, virtual reality, 3D holographic avatars, video and other media.

Surely, as the metaverse expands, grows and develops, it will offer a hyper-realistic alternate world to live in. In fact, the first steps have already been taken.

The world of video games

There are already hints of the metaverse in online game universes like Fortnite, Minecraft, and Roblox.

The companies behind these games have the ambition to be part of the evolution of the metaverse.

Zuckerberg: the first?

Just a few months ago, Mark Zuckerberg had almost everyone against him. Accusations of spying, of not being correct and ethical enough with sensitive issues such as racism, religion and certain social problems, in addition to an accusation from a former employee, pointed against him and the leading social network, Facebook.

But the CEO of the newly christened Meta (formerly Facebook), managed to halfway break the deadlock and unveiled to the world his new project, based on the concept of the metaverse.

According to his estimates it could be five to ten years before the key features of the metaverse become mainstream.

But some aspects of the metaverse already exist, namely ultra-fast broadband speeds, virtual reality headsets, and persistent, always-on online worlds are already in place, even if these are not accessible to everyone.

Technologies involved in the metaverse

 1-Meta.

The tech giant formerly known as Facebook has already made significant investments in virtual reality, including the acquisition of Oculus in 2014.

Meta imagines a virtual world where digital avatars connect through work, travel or entertainment using VR headsets.

Zuckerberg has been optimistic about the metaverse, believing it could replace the Internet as we know it.

“The next platform and medium will be an even more immersive and embodied Internet, where you’re in the experience, not just looking at it, and we call this the metaverse. ”

2-Microsoft.

The software giant already uses holograms and is developing mixed and extended reality (XR) applications with its Microsoft Mesh platform, which combine the real world with augmented reality and virtual reality.

Already, the California-based company showed plans to bring mixed reality, including holograms and virtual avatars, to Microsoft Teams in 2022.

Also in the works for next year: connected 3D explorable virtual spaces for shops and workplaces.

The U.S. Army is currently working with Microsoft on a Hololens 2 augmented reality helmet for soldiers to train, rehearse and fight with.

And Xbox Live already connects millions of gamers around the world.

3-Epic Games.

Tim Sweeney, CEO of the company that developed Fortnite, hasn’t denied his interest in the subject. “It’s no secret that Epic has invested in building the metaverse.”

It’s held concerts by the likes of Ariana Grande and Travis Scott, movie trailers and music premieres, and even an “immersive” reimagining of Martin Luther King Jr.’s historic 1963 “I Have A Dream” speech.

It’s also developing photorealistic digital humans with its MetaHuman Creator, which could be the way to customize your digital double in future open-world games.

4-Roblox.

The platform, founded in 2004, hosts dozens of user-generated games, including role-playing offerings such as Bloxburg and Brookhaven, in which users can build houses, work and act out scenarios.

Roblox is now valued at more than $45 billion after going public this year. On the day of its IPO in March, Roblox founder and CEO David Baszucki tweeted a thank you to everyone who helped bring the platform “one step closer to fulfilling our vision of the #Metaverse.”

Since then, Roblox has partnered with skateboarding shoe company Vans to create Vans World, a virtual skateboard park where players can dress up in new Vans clothing, and has opened a limited Gucci garden, where you can try on and buy clothes and accessories for your virtual self.

5-Minecraft.

Another virtual universe, but focused on children is Minecraft, owned by Microsoft, is essentially the digital equivalent of Legos, where players can create their own digital character and build whatever they want.

In August, Minecraft had more than 140 million monthly active users. Its popularity has skyrocketed among children who have had to rely more heavily on virtual connections.

Others who have already made headway on the topic include Fortnite, who partnered with Balenciaga on outfits for you and your avatar. They’ve organized and endorsed NFL, Air Jordans and Ariana Grande.

Some lesser-known companies have launched their own online worlds. The online fantasy world Second Life, founded in 2003, is now in its second decade as an alternate reality.

The online shelter Nowhere has persistent and temporary virtual spaces – for public or private use – for concerts, festivals, meetings and conferences.

The Windmill Factory, the New York-based production company that began developing the platform over a year ago, has done projects for Lady Gaga and Nine Inch Nails.

Sensorium Galaxy opened earlier this year the first two of its planned galaxy of various online connected “worlds” to explore with VR headsets or desktop computers.

Prism, the first to open, is all about music – DJs and virtual bands play, for example – in futuristic landscapes.

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