Metaverse refers to a virtual reality world where people can interact with each other and digital objects as if they were in the same physical space. It's a multi-dimensional world created by computer programmers that people can enter into and explore. It is similar to the internet in that it is a global network of computers that people can access, but it is also different in that it is an immersive virtual reality world.
The idea of the Metaverse has been further developed in recent years by researchers and developers working on projects such as Microsoft's hololens and Facebook's Oculus Rift. These projects are aimed at creating immersive virtual reality experiences that are realistic enough to fool our brains into thinking they are real.
It is still early days for these technologies, but it is clear that they have the potential to revolutionse how we interact with each other and with computer-generated worlds.
When it comes to the metaverse, there are a few different types that are worth mentioning.
Here is a look at the different types of Metaverses -
1. Social Metaverses - These are online communities that offer users a high degree of interactivity and social presence. Examples of social metaverses include Second Life and Habbo Hotel. Facebook which has now been renamed as Meta aims at creating virtual meeting places for the Facebook members called Facebook horizon while wearing an Oculus VR headset.
2. Game Metaverses - These are online gaming platforms that offer users a persistent, virtual world in which to explore and interact with others. Examples of game metaverses include Axie infinity and Minecraft. In such games you can breed the animals, try on different warrior avatars and collect points. Such games are played irrespective of the physical locations of the players. in fact, there are people making careers out of playing in the metaverse known as ‘play to earn’ model.
3. Educational Metaverses - These are online learning platforms that offer users a virtual environment in which to learn and interact with others. There is now VR and AR educational content streamlined with NCERT syllabus, The Metaverse is specially designed in such a way that the concepts are explained in various levels so a person can click on various modules which offer a deeper understanding and more simplistic explanations for the average students. Medical students learn through Apps like Anatomy 4D where you can virtually handle a heart while learning the various aspects of it.
4. Commercial Metaverses - These are online marketplaces that offer users a virtual space in which to buy and sell goods and services. Examples of commercial metaverses include Sandbox and Decentral and marketplace. Facebook marketplace is now integrating the AR VR modules for such interactions.
Pros and Cons of the Metaverse.
While the Metaverse holds a great deal of promise for the future, there are also some potential drawbacks that should be considered. On the plus side, the Metaverse has the potential to provide a more immersive and interactive experience than traditional forms of media. It could also lead to new opportunities for social interaction and collaboration. On the downside, there is a risk that the Metaverse could become overly commercialised or even controlled by a small number of powerful companies.
What will the Metaverse be like in the future?
It's hard to say exactly what the Metaverse will be like in the future, but there are a few things we can be sure of. First, it will be a highly immersive and interactive experience. We'll be able to interact with other people and digital objects in a way that feels natural and realistic. The line between the physical and virtual world will blur, and we'll be able to move seamlessly between them. With the convergence of technologies like, Artificial Intelligence, Deep Learning and Machine Learning, Blockchain and Crypto they will all work in tandem with each other in the meta verse space.
The Metaverse will also be a very social place. We'll be able to meet new people from all over the world and form real connections with them. We'll also be able to share our experiences with others and create shared memories.
There can be Mind bending games, Immersive Corporate trainings, guided presentations, Interactive walkthroughs for architects, compelling vacation presentations for travel companies to interesting classroom experiences.
How to get involved in the Metaverse
The Metaverse is a growing community of people who are passionate about the future of technology and its impact on society. There are many ways to get involved in the Metaverse community, whether it's through participating in discussion forums, attending events, or contributing to projects.
One of the best ways to get involved is to participate in discussion forums. There are many active forums dedicated to the Metaverse, such as the /r/Metaverse subreddit and the Metaverse Discord server. These forums provide a great way to learn about the latest developments in the Metaverse and meet other like-minded individuals.
Another great way to get involved is to attend events. The Metaverse community hosts regular meetups and conferences around the world. These events provide an opportunity to meet other members of the community and learn about the latest advancements in technology.
Finally, you can also contribute to projects related to the Metaverse. There are many open source projects working on various aspects of the Metaverse, such as creating new applications or developing infrastructure. By contributing to these projects, you can help shape the future of this emerging technology.
Ultimately, you can be a consumer of the metaverse Getting a VR headset and traversing the Metaverse of Sandbox, Decentral and in your favorite avatars, playing games there, attending concerts and conferences can be a part of participating in metaverse.
Conclusion
The Metaverse is an exciting concept with a lot of potential. It has the ability to change the way we interact with each other and the world around us. While it is still in its early stages, the Metaverse is already starting to shape the future of technology and society. We can only imagine what it will become in the years to come.It is evident that the Metaverse will be a integral part of our lives in the future. It has the ability to connect people from all over the world and create new opportunities for businesses and individuals alike. We are only just beginning to scratch the surface of what is possible with this technology and we can only imagine what the future holds for us.
--By Julian John, CEO, Zion Technologies and a Certified Metaverse Expert