What is the Metaverse?
Metaverse? What is it?
Metaverse? If you're active on Twitter, you may have observed some of the top trending discussions. Recently, the word "Metaverse" has emerged from the deep waters of the internet and aroused curiosity.
But what is Metaverse? How can we explain in simple words a technology destined to embellish our future?
Coinaute brings you a debunk of the new darling of skeptics, the curious and the sci-fi content worshippers who'd be forgiven for thinking they've stepped straight out of The Matrix.
What is it and why?
An echo that reminds us of VR and its virtual reality headsets such as Oculus Rift running on consoles such as Playstation and PC. Or the famous HTC Vive, Metavers describes itself as a mixed reality aimed at providing accessibility for people with disabilities or incapacities.
For example, if you'd like to visit your grandmother, or if you've broken your arm walking down an escalator, these tasks would be made entirely possible via the metaverse.
Access to certain extreme sports activities included. Parachuting, water skiing, skipping… accessibility has never been so easy. And all from our living rooms, bedrooms or even kitchens, thanks to the transition from real to virtual and vice versa. This "second life" aspect is reminiscent of life simulation games such as the famous Sims or Habbo Hotel.
A virtual world, yes, but not the only one. In fact, the Metaverse is designed as a chain between Metavers to form a single entity. You could be playing a video game, while your best friend messages you for a carriage ride back to 1877.
Meanwhile, the virtual economy could also be played out through augmented reality, and become a glittering business of success in the years to come. We also suspect that robotics, another key 21st-century topic, will be linked more or less directly to Metavers.
In reality, it covers many more subjects than we think. But who's really going to give it a chance?
Here's a list of activities and things made available thanks to Metavers:
Escape game
Virtual sports activities
3D virtual tours
Visual immersion
Virtual store
Business meeting
Video games
Schooling
Virtual travel
Immersive living
Interconnected virtual platforms for easy interaction.
The reality of objects
Possession of virtual goods (tokens, land, etc.)
Interaction with a virtual character
Augmented entertainment
Movie-going with your virtual group in VR
Creation of a virtual agency or start-up
Situation simulator
NFT/Cryptocurrency investment
Create your own reality
Visit a virtual city
Invest in and live in a virtual home
Explore persistent virtual worlds and universes
3D virtual training
Create your own avatars
Concretely accessible to all?
Yes, at least that's the goal. If you're familiar with VR headsets that enable real-world gaming and activity with immersive virtual elements, you won't find yourself in a state of credulity when faced with the novelty of Metavers.
Since it's supposed to become affordable for people from all financial backgrounds, doing your shopping, or taking part in an equestrian activity from your living room, shouldn't taste any more expensive than doing it in reality. Minus the cost of travel, of course.
What's more, Metavers is a real advantage for people with physical disabilities, such as those suffering from illnesses or handicaps that restrict movement or block the path to fun.
They will be able to buy and touch virtual objects and environments, or take immersive tours in the serenity and security of their own homes.
The aim remains to reproduce reality while realizing one's wildest dreams. The possibility of carrying out virtual collaborations in the reality of services also remains an open door.
All thanks to augmented reality technology. To give you an idea, South Korea has begun investing in a Metaverse to optimize the lives of its population, boost its economy, video games, or even reduce school bullying.
Who are the investors?
Commercial chains such as Walmart have reportedly already begun serious investment in Metavers. The aim? To create virtual stores. Most certainly with the aim of facilitating access to food.
Over here, Carrefour is pouring money into the project, with the same ideas as its American counterpart, with the aim of competing and moving into the new-age era of technology.
No doubt we'll be seeing virtual models of their futuristic fantasies in the near future. How this will affect the real world remains to be seen. Will there be less or more interaction between human beings? No one knows yet.
On the high-tech side, Microsoft is cited as one of the interested parties. No one knows whether this is a virtual reality headset project, or a persistent video game universe. The company is no stranger to simulators, where interacting with the world through a VR headset is revealed as a possibility.
What do you think of this Matrix-like sci-fi aspect? Will it make us appreciate reality more, or the opposite, that of digital reality?
