The Metaverse Guide — The Evolution of The Internet
The metaverse is an undeniably exciting frontier. It’s an entirely new universe that you can explore by donning some gear and starting up an app. But the metaverse can also seem intimidatingly complex.
By reading through this metaverse guide, you’ll learn what the metaverse is, which players are involved, which devices are used for entering the metaverse, examples of apps, and more.
The Metaverse Explained
But just what is the metaverse? Indeed, the metaverse is essentially another universe that you can interact with. But part of what makes it so unique is that you can interact with the metaverse in different ways.
Virtual reality (VR) gear lets you essentially replace your view of the analog world with a view of the metaverse. While augmented reality (AR) layers the metaverse on top of the standard offline world.
There are other means of working with the metaverse. Everything from phone apps to computers and game consoles can access it. The constant overlap between the two universes makes the metaverse a fully immersive experience. This aspect of the metaverse removes the boundaries of the physical world and creates a new limitless reality.
It’s also a reality that encompasses your social life. You don’t have to step into the metaverse alone. Friends and family can come alone, and there are always new people to meet there.
The metaverse has a remarkable history. The future of the metaverse is inspiring. It’s constantly growing and changing. The exponential growth of the metaverse means that nobody knows exactly how it’ll evolve.
The Early Version and Days of the Metaverse
One important part of a metaverse guide is the larger history of the subject. The metaverse, as it’s understood today, is pretty new. But earlier versions have existed since the naughties. Second Life, which had 900,000 active users in 2007, is the best representation of a proto-metaverse.
Some of what’s now considered a vital part of the metaverse, like Roblox or Fortnite, began as something distinct from it. These proto-metaverses grew into part of today’s larger metaverse. It’s not uncommon for games to develop into metaverse components. But even social networks like Facebook, now meta, are moving in that direction.
The Characteristics of the Metaverse
Defining the metaverse is a little like defining the standard offline world. It’s more a question of what parts of either someone focuses on. The metaverse is so large that it’s difficult to define it strictly. But some characteristics will always be a part of the metaverse.
It’s a Limitless Environment
The metaverse is a limitless 3D environment. You can essentially explore it forever without ever reaching an end. Different implementations might have boundaries within their system. But all of those limits are arbitrary. Those are undeveloped areas rather than borders arising from a lack of usable space.
There’s No Centralization
No single entity or organization owns the metaverse. People can hold individual elements within the metaverse, such as land or NFTs. But the metaverse itself is decentralized. There’s no single point anyone can own to gain control of the metaverse’s totality. It’s essentially a decentralized, user-controlled system.
The Metaverse is Always on
The fact that there’s no central point within the metaverse to control also means that there’s no main point that can turn it off. It’s similar in many respects to the offline world. Not every area of your town is constantly accessible at all times. But it’s never really “off”.
It Has a Working Economy
Metaversal implementations usually mirror the offline world. The real world’s economy is vital for most people’s day-to-day lives. As such, it’s little wonder that metaversal cultures have an economy. The blockchain typically backs a metaverse economy. This enables the use of cryptocurrency and the creation of unique items.
The Metaverse is an Immersive World
The metaverse is an inherently immersive environment. When you enter the metaverse, you feel a part of it fully. This is thanks to powerful extended reality tools and software that can properly leverage it. The final result is a metaverse that you truly live within.
Metaverse Environments are Social and Fun
Most people would rank socialization as one of the essential parts of their life. Metaversal activities have the potential to be just as social. Metaverse geography usually operates similarly to standard geography. Anyone can explore or enter into the metaverse. And this openness leads to socialization and group activities.
The 7 Layers of the Metaverse Serve as its Foundation
You’ve seen the characteristics of the metaverse. Jon Radoff has also initiated seven key points that have been accepted as the layers of the metaverse. These are similar to the crust, mantle, outer core, and inner core of the earth.
Users might not always notice the 7 layers. But they’re essentially the digital ground you stand on when you log in. You can find a detailed examination of these seven layers in “The Metaverse Value-Chain” from Jon Radoff. But you can get a solid understanding with the following summaries.
- The Experience of Dismaterialization: The metaverse isn’t just about seeing a 3D expanse in front of you. The true nature of the metaverse is dematerialized. It takes everything you know about the real world and turns it into raw data with no need for material surfaces. For example, a book can be digitized as text strings. And material reality into spatial representations. Any of this can appear as simulated materials within the metaverse. But they’re all essentially dematerialized items.
- The Excitement of Discovery and Exploration: Discovery is something that brings value to both individuals and businesses alike. Discovery in the metaverse can come from exploring 3D environments. But it also describes the exploration of content as a whole. This includes community and business-created goods or services. This discovery can be outbound, where various marketers broadcast information to users. Or it can be inbound, where an individual is actively searching for information related to the goods and services.
- An Economic Foundation Centered Around the Creator Economy: The creator economy layer consists of the latest content creation systems for the metaverse. Creation of digital spaces used to require expertise in coding and design. But the creator economy in this layer describes a method by which people can easily make and monetize content for the metaverse. This is often aided by metaverse implementations which provide special in-system tools. All of this means that people can easily create and sell metaverse goods.
- Spatial Computing Removes Boundaries: Spatial computing describes how the metaverse coexists with the offline world. Elements of the offline world might be brought online. Or online systems might integrate into aspects of the offline world. The internet of things is one of the most easily seen examples of this merger. It brings everyday objects in our life online and into a network. Augmented reality provides another example. AR works with locational data to visually blend metaverse and offline worlds.
- Decentralization Ensures a Digital World With No One Owner: The decentralization layer emphasizes that any single entity doesn’t own the metaverse. It can be better seen as a larger collective of individual components. Some of the components might have corporate ownership. Private individuals own others. And blockchains make collective ownership and decision-making even more accessible thanks to computer assistance. Nobody owns the metaverse as a whole. The lack of singular ownership also means that nobody can turn the metaverse off.
- Humanity as the Ultimate Computer Interface Device: This layer describes how humanity is becoming a computer interface device. This is largely thanks to wearable technology and ultraportable items like smartphones. Technology is getting smaller, sensors are improving, and even voice interfaces have become ubiquitous. VR goggles are even becoming lighter and untethered from external hardware. Humanity can communicate with computers in a more natural way than ever before. And this phenomenon becomes more advanced every day.
- A Powerful Infrastructure Makes Everything Possible: The infrastructure layer refers to the technology which forms and powers the metaversal networks. One of the most critical aspects of this is the growing efficiency of cellular data networks. 5G is already making high-speed portable Internet connections a reality. And 6G networks will eventually decrease latency while increasing speed even further. On top of this, new engineering techniques make portable electronics even more efficient. Even the batteries powering mobile devices are constantly improving.
Examples of How People Are Using the Metaverse
A metaverse guide needs to illustrate both theory and practice. You’ve seen the various characteristics and layers which make up the modern metaverse. But how are these ideas taking form? The following examples highlight some of the most important uses of the metaverse.
Gaming
Gaming is the metaverse's past, present, and future in many ways. Many older online games evolved into actual metaverse experiences. Roblox, Sandbox, and Fortnite are some of the best examples.
The flexibility of the metaverse lends itself to games. When users have complete control of their environment, they often create games from scratch. Roblox is one of the best examples of this phenomenon. But platforms like Second Life and Horizon show that people will make games where there’s scripting and an open world. Gaming elements also help metaverse implementations grow as players jump online to play with friends.
For more in-depth information about metaverse games, read the article “Top 10 Popular Metaverse Games To Explore Right Now”.
Virtual Worlds & Social
Virtual worlds are expansive 3D computer-simulated environments. Virtual worlds are essentially a recreation of the offline world in a digital form. This tends to be what people think about when they first hear about the metaverse.
Virtual worlds let you explore expansive environments. You can change your appearance by altering the avatar that represents you. And you can even engage in the same type of socialization found in the real world. Horizon Worlds is one of the best examples. It was created by Meta, formally Facebook, as an entirely virtual world. It’s so complete that people even make games within it.
For more in-depth information about virtual worlds, read the article “Metaverse Virtual Worlds; The Best Way To Experience the Metaverse”.
Corporate
More and more companies are moving online. COVID-19 forced many companies to try out virtual meetings and workspaces for the first time. And the result was both leadership and employees discovering that they vastly prefer the virtual model. Meta is one of the leaders in this recent phenomenon with its Horizon Workrooms system.
Microsoft has been an industry leader in productivity and teleconferencing systems for decades. So it’s little surprise that they’ve entered into the corporate metaverse with Mesh for Microsoft Teams. Mesh is especially impressive for its ability to leverage an existing infrastructure into the metaverse space.
Events
The social element of the metaverse even extends to parties and big events. Sensorium Galaxy is a metaverse implementation created to lean heavily into these projects. So it’s little wonder that artists like David Guetta, Armin van Buuren, and Steve Aoki have taken part in Sensorium Galaxy events.
Fortnite is also especially notable for its large social events. Ariana Grande and Travis Scott are just a few of the big names that have worked with Fortnite. And even movie and TV franchises, such as Star Wars, have worked with Fortnite to build hype for their upcoming releases.
Real Estate
The scope of metaverse real estate deals might be surprising. The expansive 3D worlds found within the metaverse are brimming with potential. And a virtual real estate market has grown up around it. For example, a plot of virtual land in Decentraland recently sold for USD 2.4 million. But the fact that real estate deals exist in the metaverse is almost a given.
Even pro-metaverses like Second Life had a lot of major real estate deals. Modern digital real estate deals are made even more accessible due to cryptocurrency and the metaverse on blockchains.
Examples of Companies Which Are Developing Foundational Elements of the Metaverse
The metaverse is often framed in the context of the people using it. The system’s creator-based economy means that the users are often the primary content creators. But several companies are also helping to move the metaverse forward. These are some of the essential metaverse-related companies.
Meta (Previously Facebook)
Facebook has a long history of connecting people through technology. The company is sure that the metaverse is the next step to officially rebranding as Meta. Meta is working on VR hardware by developing the Oculus and the more experimental Project Cambria.
Meta is also developing metaverse-based systems with Horizon. The Horizon system is continually growing and adding new features. This includes a marketplace and even games.
For more extensive information about Facebook’s Metaverse, read the article “Facebook Metaverse; Explained, Examples, Devices, Vision & Critics”.
Microsoft
Microsoft puts a strong focus on the business side of the metaverse. Microsoft has already been an industry standard for productivity software for decades. But it received a massive public opinion vote on the metaverse during the work-from-home trend in the early days of covid-19.
The market for new solutions was readily apparent, and Microsoft rolled out Mesh for Teams as a way to supplement their current offerings with a metaverse-based model. Mesh for Teams gives users an avatar to explore virtual areas and workplaces. It essentially creates a perfect office environment that’s accessible anywhere.
Roblox
Roblox is both a company and the name of its most popular product. Roblox began as a gaming company. But over time, the platform evolved into a far more social and economically rich world than the creators ever imagined. This exponential growth resulted in a fully 3D world where users can create visually distinct avatars, clothing, and complete games which can be shared with others. Roblox is constantly adding new features.
One of the biggest additions is a spatial voice chat that mimics how conversations work in the offline world. In addition, it’s working on various new clothing options.
Niantic
Niantic is one of the biggest names in augmented reality. They brought this side of the metaverse to people’s attention with Pokémon GO. This augmented reality game blended the metaverse and the offline world in a novel way that got people off their couches and simultaneously explored the virtual and material worlds.
Today Niantic has raised $300 million to build a “real-world metaverse”. Niantic CEO John Hanke describes it as “reality made better”. He adds that their addition to the metaverse will be a real-world metaverse infused with data and interactive creations.
Nvidia
Nvidia’s hardware is one of the essential elements of the metaverse. The company researches and creates a wide variety of equipment to render or work with 3D graphics. However, they’re also pushing into the software side of the metaverse. The company recently pledged to give digital artists a free version of their Omniverse software.
This software has a $9,000 per year license for corporate clients. But individual artists will use it to experiment with the metaverse at no cost. This offer creates a valuable entry point for digital artists who want to learn about the metaverse.
Other Companies Working on the Metaverse
The sheer potential of the metaverse means that there’s a lot of corporate interest. The metaverse is essentially infinite, and borderless means no limit to the number of companies working with it. Big names like Google set up new research divisions to work with it. And industry experts are keeping a careful watch on companies like Apple, who’ve hinted at plans.
The number of metaverse companies is constantly growing. You can learn even more about the wide variety of companies developing the metaverse in the article “Metaverse Companies Building The Future; An Overview”.
The Devices Giving Form to the Metaverse
This metaverse guide has looked into aspects of what you can find in the metaverse. But what about the actual devices used to access it? You can access the metaverse in several different ways. But most metaverse technologies fall into one of the following categories.
Virtual Reality Headset (VR)
Virtual reality headsets are the most easily recognized forms of metaverse hardware. They’re pretty large headsets covering the user’s eyes with a digital display. The headset tracks the user’s line of sight and continually updates it within the metaverse software. The quality of a metaverse experience in VR usually goes along with its displays’ resolution and screen quality. The better the display is given to each eye, the more immersive it is.
Augmented Reality (AR) Gear
Augmented reality typically lets you see select elements placed in the metaverse, like AI entities or items. Augmented reality gear overlays the metaverse on top of the offline world. It generally uses a wearable but lightweight headset or smart glasses. But in some circumstances, even mobile devices can be considered augmented reality gear when paired with the right app. And some augmented reality devices interface with smartphones to provide GPS data and processing power.
Gaming Console
Many instances of the metaverse started as video games. As such, it’s not surprising that gaming consoles can act as an entry point to the metaverse. Sony, in particular, is especially well known for its virtual reality support. Playstations have solid VR headsets available for users. And Sony has tested the waters of entirely social virtual environments. Even the Xbox, which lacks VR accessories, does have some metaverse options. For example, users can access Roblox.
Computers
Computers have long been at the forefront of the metaverse. A PC will almost always support most other metaverse hardware. For example, you can use most VR hardware with a PC. It’s generally a matter of upgrading your computer to provide the proper level of support. For example, VR support typically calls for a higher-powered graphics processing unit (GPU). Thankfully adding new hardware is relatively easy these days. And the same goes for software.
Mobile
The metaverse support on mobile devices typically lags behind PC and game consoles. But over time, the improvements to cellular data and GPUs have made smartphones a more attractive platform for accessing the metaverse. Many VR headsets provide options to pair with smartphones. And platforms like Google Cardboard make it easy to create low-cost VR. Mobile platforms also excel with AR games like Pokémon GO. But even leading metaverses like Roblox support mobile.
A Deeper Dive Into the Devices of the Metaverse
This metaverse guide has looked into the most important categories. But it’s important to remember that each category is only a general metaverse tech overview. Each category has multiple implementations within it. Finding the perfect metaverse experience means looking into precisely what every device excels at.
You can get a full in-depth look into the devices used to enter the metaverse in the article “Metaverse Devices; The Best Gear To Enter the Metaverse”.
A Guide to Metaverse Brands With Some Important Examples
Hardware and software companies are the most apparent corporate element of the metaverse. But they’re essentially just a first step toward a larger goal. Eventually, the metaverse will be home to as many, or even more, business opportunities as the offline world. The following brands have lept from the offline world and into the metaverse.
Gucci is High Fashion in Multiple Realms
Gucci is synonymous with high fashion. It’s been synonymous with creative and high-quality designs for over 100 years. And the company celebrated that anniversary in the metaverse. They created an impressive virtual garden exhibition within Roblox.
Gucci used the opportunity to offer several unique virtual goods for sale within the metaverse. The items were only available for a limited period. And their unique status as uncommon digital goods meant that they quickly rose in value. Interestingly enough, there have been instances where the digital version of Gucci’s items has sold for more than the offline goods they were based on.
Nike Offers a Metaverse-Based Take On Athletics
Nike is one of the world’s best-known athletic brands. But the company is also working hard to become one of the best-known brands within the metaverse. One of Nike’s most recent endeavors involves a partnership with Roblox that emphasizes active lifestyles. The project, Nikeland, gives users a chance to buy Nike-branded digital goods.
Users can enjoy a wide variety of sports activities within Nikeland. This includes running tracks, obstacle courses, and even parks. But Nikeland also gives people the chance to be active while wearing it. It provides the experience of Nike's lifestyle.
Vans Skates Into the Metaverse
Vans is one of the world's most influential action sports brands. And like Nike, they're taking that spirit into Roblox. The company is working to give people a chance to buy Vans products online to use similar to what they'd experience in the offline world.
For example, consider the case of someone who's a serious skater. He might use Vans in his offline practice. And he'd want to do the same online too. Vans made this possible by offering many of its products within Roblox. And they even created virtual skateparks to practice moves in the metaverse.
Burberry Focuses on Metaversal Honor
Burberry is a world-famous fashion brand. But they're developing a solid reputation in the metaverse as well. This is largely thanks to a collaboration with the Honor of Kings game designers. Burberry brought some of its fashion lines into Honor of Kings. This ranges from single items like coats to full outfits.
One interesting twist on this marketing strategy is that items are available both in the metaverse and the offline world. Someone who finds a great look from Burberry in the metaverse can replicate it through their offerings in the offline world as well.
Stella Artois Gives People a More Active Role in Horse Racing
Stella Artois is part of the world's largest beer brewery - AB InBev. It's also a well-known sponsor of horse racing. It's safe to say that they probably like racing if someone likes Stella Artois. Stella Artois decided to work with that shared interest by teaming up with Virtually Human Studio.
The two companies created a racing platform in the metaverse called Zed Run. Zed Run events allow people to breed and purchase virtual horses in the races. Users also can try out Stella Artois branded horse breeds and skins.
More Examples of Metaverse Brands
These examples show just how much popular brands can accomplish in the metaverse. The digital realm offers companies a chance to leverage their user's interests in ways that'd be impossible in the offline world. But this is still only the beginning.
Everything from game companies like Atari to fashion icons like Ralph Lauren is leaping into the metaverse. Each brand is making the metaverse economy a more enticing prospect for users and investors alike.
You can learn about the most exciting branding examples within the metaverse in the article "Top 12 Metaverse Brands Selling Their Products Digitally".
Specliazled Examples of the Top 5 Metaverse Blogs
The metaverse is developing at a rapid pace. This metaverse guide has provided countless examples of regularly improving and innovating technologies. It's easier to stay on top of the latest metaverse developments by following specialized blogs. And the following are among the best of the best.
Building The Metaverse
Building the Metaverse is written by John Radoff. You might recall that Radoff drew up the 7 layers of the metaverse. His blog covers those 7 layers and various other metaverse topics. Radoff is adept at explaining the often complex concepts related to the metaverse in easy-to-understand terms. But he never sacrifices the depth and scope these subjects deserve.
Click here to go to the blog Building the Metaverse.
Metamandrill.com
Metamandrill.com is a relatively new metaverse resource that provides practical and explanatory information. It's notable for giving clear explanations with examples that illustrate the subject.
This is important since the metaverse is entirely in development and still experimental. And the metaverse also merges the online and offline world in ways that constantly change. It often seems complex. But Metamandrill makes the world of the metaverse clear.
Click here to go to the metaverse blog of Metamandrill.com.
MatthewBall.vc
MatthewBall.vc is run by Matthew Ball. He's one of the big names in the business side of the metaverse. He's one of the few people who can understand the industry's business side and talk with the people involved. This business-oriented perspective often shows in the subjects covered in Ball's blog. This has even extended to figures as influential as Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg.
Click here to go to the blog of MatthewBall.vc.
Ryan Schultz
Ryan Schultz has been fascinated by the metaverse since its earliest days. He first fell in love with the open-world side of the metaverse within Second Life. This initial interest is mirrored on his blog. Schultz offers breaking news on all types of virtual worlds, social VR, and the metaverse. His long history further enhances the scope of his writing.
Click here to go to the blog of Ryan Schultz.
Bernard Marr
Bernard Marr is a writer and futurist who has written several Amazon No 1 bestsellers on many different subjects. He's also won numerous awards relating to his works. This literary mindset gives his blog a special tone not seen anywhere else. Marr is passionate about the metaverse. And he brings a unique perspective to the subject thanks to the broad scope of his writing.
Click here to go to the blog of Bernard Marr.
More Metaverse Blogs to Follow
Reading about the metaverse has never been easier. These are some of the best metaverse blogs. But they're far from the only high-quality options. Many of the best minds in the tech industry are fascinated by the metaverse. And each brings their own expertise and specialized interests to the table.
You can find an extensive look into more of the best metaverse blogs in the article "9 Quality Metaverse Blogs to Follow The Latest Information".
Illustrating Similar Technologies With a Metaverse vs. Web 3.0 Comparison
At this point, you might be wondering where Web 3.0 fits into the metaverse. Web 3.0 can be thought of as a metaverse unto itself. But it's a metaverse that uses the Internet as a substrate to build upon. Web 3.0 is essentially a metaverse without the common abstractions like 3D spaces or worlds that mimic offline reality.
For example, NFTs are heavily tied to the metaverse through blockchains. But the standard 3D metaverse isn't the only way to access either of these elements. You can also use Web 3.0 technologies to access NFT information, sales, or create tools. And there's a wide variety of ways to interact with the blockchain apart from 3D environments.
Web 3.0 also makes heavy use of machine learning. These elements permeate the more traditional 3D implementations of the metaverse. Essentially, Web 3.0 emphasizes the metaverse's dematerialization layer.
What Is The Difference Between Web 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0?
If Web 3.0 is metaverse, then what about Web 2.0 and 1.0? Web 1.0 was essentially just plain text with a few scripting tags. This version was a technological marvel at the time. But it wasn't even up to the task of recreating magazine layouts.
Web 2.0 brought the innovations people think of when talking about the Internet. Web 2.0 introduced dynamic page manipulation and a social web. Better scripting allowed for an elegant page design that could even surpass magazines. Adding discussions to a website became relatively trivial with Web 2.0.
Web 3.0 moved technology into a more multidimensional state. Cloud computing and virtualization moved systems away from hardware restrictions. And this also helped open the path for AI and similar improvements.
Tying the Metaverse Guide Together
This metaverse guide has covered most of the metaverse's fundamentals, but there's one more point to remember. You can explore any of these subjects right now if you have the proper gear. The metaverse is online and waiting for you.
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