Are you trying to keep up with the newest digital trends in 2022 but still confused about what the metaverse is? You may have heard some whispers about the metaverse from a website developer or even your techie nephew, but now you really want to know what it’s all about.
Regardless of how you first heard about the metaverse, you’re probablyhere because you are just as curious to learn more about it as we were prior to writing this post. We’ve done a bit of a research and compared sources to get this information, but keep in mind that the metaverse is a technology that is still in its infancy.
It can be hard to understand what the future holds, but if you want your business to succeed in the modern world, it is important to understand what the metaverse is and how it could shape the future for consumers and brands alike.
CEOs like Mark Zuckerberg and Satya Nadella talk about it, the metaverse is the future of the internet. Or it’s a video game… or maybe it’s another version of Zoom? Honestly, no one knows for sure, so it’s hard to say. In our opinion, we think it will be many things, and an opportunity for individuals to engage virtually like never before.
Ready to learn more about the metaverse? Read on and we’ll tell you everything you need to know!
So, What is the Metaverse?
In short, the technologies that make up the metaverse can include virtual reality that is characterized by persistent, virtual worlds that continue to exist even when you’re not playing. It also contains augmented reality that combines aspects of both the digital and physical worlds. However, it doesn’t require that those spaces be exclusively accessed via VR or AR.
For example, a virtual world, similar to the open-world, battleground royale video game phenomenon Fortnite or Roblox could be accessed and engaged with via the metaverse in a whole new way. In other words, any content or consumable that can be accessed through PCs, game consoles and/or mobile devices is also accessible within the metaverse.
But the metaverse isn’t just about VR and video games, it also translates to a digital economy, including cryptocurrencies. Marketplaces will be formed where users can create, buy, and sell goods across the country, globe, and even other planets. And, in the more idealistic visions of the metaverse, it’s interoperable, allowing you to take virtual items like clothes or cars from one platform to another.
In the real world, you can buy a shirt from the mall and then wear it to a movie theater. Currently in 2022, most platforms have virtual identities, avatars, and inventories that are tied to just one platform, but a metaverse might allow you to create a persona that you can take everywhere as easily as you can copy your profile picture from one social network to another.
The Basics of the Metaverse
Many experts compare most peoples’ current understanding of the metaverse to what people would have thought about the internet forty years ago. This is because the metaverse is still a work in progress.
What is clear is that the metaverse doesn’t have anything to do with any specific technology. Instead, it relates to how we engage with technology. Technologies like virtual reality and augmented reality will probably become important aspects of the metaverse. This is because these technologies are able to bridge the digital and physical worlds.
The Metaverse and Interoperability
The metaverse also has a lot to do with creating a digital economy where people can purchase and sell goods. There are also many people who believe that the metaverse will be interoperable. This means that you’d be able to use virtual items such as your possessions and use them across different platforms.
In our current age, peoples’ virtual identities are usually linked to just one platform. With the rise of the metaverse, it’s entirely possible that you’ll be able to use personas that you’ve created on one platform and use them across all platforms.
For example, if you created a profile picture on Instagram within the metaverse, it would automatically be updated on every other platform that you’re active on, such as YouTube and LinkedIn.
In many ways, this kind of thing already exists in our world. There are many video games that allow users to buy and sell goods, such as outfits for characters, and tools or weapons. Yet the difference between this and the metaverse is that the metaverse may offer the opportunity to integrate these concepts across all platforms that are on the internet.
Creating Infrastructure for the Metaverse
There are many companies that are currently creating the infrastructure for the metaverse, including the likes of data centers, as well as Facebook. Each company is independently playing a role in developing the metaverse.
Facebook is creating digital houses where users can invite friends to get together. Microsoft is developing virtual meeting rooms. Though most of these companies are not coordinating with each other in developing the metaverse, they are laying the groundwork for what it may eventually become.
Is the Metaverse Far-Fetched?
During a Presentation that Meta offered about the metaverse, they showed a video of a woman who while scrolling across Instagram, stumbles on a post her friend makes while at a live concert. The video then makes a transition to the concert where the woman appears as a hologram. She then makes eye contact with her friend who is physically at the event.
Even though Meta claims that this will be a normal sort of thing for people to do in the future, there are many critics who say that it is far-fetched. Many people point out that there are still so many technological hurdles to overcome. For this reason, they say that it’s too early to know if doing things like projecting yourself as an avatar in the physical world will be possible or not.
Many futurists think that in the future things like augmented reality will be such basic parts of most peoples’ everyday experience that they won’t give it a second thought. They speak of a world where augmented reality glasses will be the norm that people wear rather than the exception. They also believe that humans will start socializing in virtual reality more than they do in the physical world.
A small part of the foundation for creating the metaverse is currently in existence, but there is still a long way to go. It is easy for companies like Meta to create fictionalized depictions of the future. But what is more challenging for them to do is describe how this future is going to be possible.
For example, virtual reality headsets are large and difficult to wear. Most people also feel discomfort if they wear them for too long. Until companies can find a way to overcome these kinds of challenges, the metaverse they speak about is probably still a long way off.
Bringing the Metaverse in Today’s Business World
For those who are trying to prepare their businesses for the advent of the metaverse, it’s important to know that there is still much that is unknown. If you’re looking to embrace new trends with the rise of the metaverse, there are various strategies that you can work with.Â
It’s probably still too early to jump on board with the futurist concept of the metaverse if you’re looking to run your business on the internet. Regardless of what the future will hold for the metaverse, using tried and true marketing techniques like email marketing and blogging is going to continue to be important for your business.
The Metaverse Is Here to Stay
The metaverse does not have anything to do with a specific technology. It’s more about how people engage with technology. There are many exciting possibilities for what the metaverse could look like in the future. Expect to see more virtuality and augmented reality.
If you want to find out more about what role the rise of the metaverse could have on your business, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We’re here to help with any questions that you might have.
