What is Metaverse and how does it work?

There is lots of talk about future, big companies investing in Meta, FaceBook rebranding itself, Google & Microsoft entering the field of Metaverse. This all makes you wonder exactly what is Metaverse and how does it work? We will explain to you in this blog the big change companies are gearing up for – Metaverse.

What is Metaverse?

Metaverse is very complex term which broadly involves how we will interact with technology in the future. In simple terms we can say that Meta is a network of virtual worlds. Social connection is the thing we lack in virtual platforms. With Meta all different platforms would be connected as a single virtual world. Meta can be accessed through augmented/virtual reality headsets.

The term Metaverse was first used in the 1992 science fiction novel Snow Crash.

How does Metaverse work?

Metaverse is not a single technology but more of a culmination of technologies and advancements. It will include augmented reality, virtual reality, chat options, video options as well as 3D avatars and much more. Some people explain metaverse like this –

Imagine shopping in a virtual 3D mall and your friend tagged you in a concert that is going on right now at some other place. Your avatar then finishes shopping and joins friends in that concert.

OR

Imagine a virtual world where you can add building or rent properties and the changes stays there. You can visit this world whenever you want and socialise with friends.

OR

Your avatar can simply sit next to someone else’s avatar and chat

Very simple right? Nope! Building a hyper-real alternative world where you live in a digital world is a faraway dream.

[FaceBook/Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said – “The next platform and medium will be even more immersive and embodied internet where you’re in the experience, not just looking at it, and we call this the Metaverse”]

Does Metaverse already exists?

Development of Blockchain technology has already paved way for the craze of online identities (Ape Monkey), Avatars and NFTs. There are many who are selling virtual land in Metaverse. We have also seen development in VR headsets and online platforms. However it will take years before we can see the real manifestation of Metaverse.

Microsoft is already steps ahead in developing Meta. It uses holograms and has developed virtual collaboration across multiple devices – Microsoft Mesh. This software is an extended reality application. Xbox Live already connects players across globe in virtual world.

There are games such as Fortnite or Minecraft that have already shown advancements that have not been used before. Fortnite has evolved from multiple-player game to an online space where players hang-out, chat and host virtual concerts/parties. There have been collaborations with apparels or other industries that your avatar can wear for playing that game.

Metaverse is also crucial to the development of Web 3.0. The evolution of internet is the next big thing and both developments are mutually dependent on each other.

What Holograms mean in Metaverse?

The technology is behind what we see in Metaverse. Till now most of the digital world was two-dimensional. However to move to the Metaverse – the ultimate 3D manifestation, holography is vastly used. Holograms mimic the way we interact in the real world and translate it to the virtual world. Information can be projected straight to the screen such as we use objects or blueprints. Holographic displays are also pleasing to look at thereby big companies are capitalising largely on this technology.

Conclusion

In a nutshell everyone is promising a place parallel to the physical world – Metaverse. This would be the ultimate place where you can experience real living and social interaction. When it would all be possible is still a big question. All in all companies are racing to be the first to bring the ultimate Metaverse experience to the public.