Understand the metaverse vs. internet: intertwined roles shaping digital space. Metaverse evolves the internet, blurring real and virtual realms. Web3's decentralised nature is highlighted.
Introduction
The Metaverse is a digital world accessible on the internet, providing users with an immersive experience to interact through their virtual avatars, engaging in business activities and social interactions similar to the real world.
The origin of the Metaverse can be traced back to Neal Stephenson’s sci-fi novel ‘Snow Crash’ in 1992, where the term was coined by combining ‘meta’ and ‘universe.’
In recent years, the Metaverse has gained significant attention due to prominent companies like Facebook, now Meta, and Microsoft, unveiling various projects related to it.
Understanding the Seven Layers of the Metaverse
Experience
Contrary to popular belief, the metaverse goes beyond being a mere 3D representation of the real world for passive observation. It aims to faithfully replicate spatial dimensions and distances, utilizing photorealistic graphics to dematerialize physical objects.
As the metaverse transcends physical space, the limitations imposed by the physical realm become irrelevant within its virtual realm. The virtual reality (VR) of the metaverse holds the potential to offer experiences that are unattainable in the real world.
This is why many renowned brands are investing heavily in massive interactive live events, known as MILEs, hosted on platforms like Roblox and Decentraland. These events provide a glimpse into the interactive manifestations of activities and events within the metaverse. No longer will one miss out on a front-row seat at a concert; in the metaverse, every ticket offers a front-row experience.
The essence of the metaverse lies in its ability to provide immersive and realistic experiences. Its remarkable appeal and the investments it has attracted are a result of the lifelike experiences it promises. From gaming and social interactions to shopping, theatre, and e-sports, a true metaverse has the power to transform a wide range of human experiences through its immersive and real-time nature.
Discovery
This layer focuses on the experiential discoveries that arise from the constant exchange of information, known as the ‘push and pull’ mechanism. It is through this exchange that users are introduced to new experiences. The ‘pull’ aspect involves users actively seeking information and experiences, while the ‘push’ aspect informs users about the experiences available in the metaverse. The discovery layer is particularly lucrative for businesses. Here are some examples of inbound and outbound discoveries:
Inbound
- Community-driven content
- Search engines
- Real-time presence
Outbound
- Display advertising
- Emails and social media
- Notifications
Community-driven content serves as a significant inbound method for discovering metaverse experiences and is a cost-effective means for learning about the metaverse. When people are interested in something, they share information about it, discussing concepts, experiences, and events. Such content can quickly become a valuable marketing asset, facilitating the spread of knowledge about the metaverse’s concepts, supporting technologies, and experiences.
Real-time presence is another powerful facilitator of inbound discovery. Discovering metaverse experiences goes beyond content alone; it also involves knowing what others interested in the metaverse are currently engaged in. The metaverse emphasizes interpersonal interactions through shared experiences. Platforms like Steam, Battle.net, Xbox, PlayStation, and even non-gaming platforms like Clubhouse utilise real-time presence effectively to enhance interactivity. In the metaverse, real-time presence will play a critical role in enriching interactive experiences for users and expanding their understanding of this virtual universe.
The metaverse has the potential to digitize social structures and establish a decentralised identity ecosystem, shifting power from monolithic entities to social groups. This ecosystem would enable frictionless exchange of information and experiences.
The most effective outbound discovery methods include display advertising, notifications, emails, and social media. Metaverse creators can also use outbound means to present relevant information to the audience and facilitate the discovery of metaverse experiences.
Creator Economy
This layer encompasses the technology utilised by creators to generate diverse experiences within the metaverse. Makers and creators employ a range of tools including design tools, apps, asset markets, and workflow platforms within a creative economy.
The objective of the metaverse is to construct a fully immersive 3D environment that interconnects virtual regions closely resembling the real world. These environments, supported by technologies such as AR, VR, and others, aim to attract visitors who can engage in a wide array of activities. The virtual world holds immense potential for economic growth, and as the metaverse concept spreads, we can expect a significant increase in businesses constructing metaverse venues.
In the early stages of Web1 and early Web2, developers required programming knowledge to design and develop tools, apps, or assets. However, with the emergence of Web3, drag-and-drop application builders are gaining popularity, enabling users to create virtually anything without the need for programming expertise.
Becoming a maker, builder, or designer has never been easier, and as Web3 becomes more integrated into society and Web2 gradually fades, the accessibility for individuals to participate in these roles will only continue to improve.
Spatial Computing
Spatial computing merges real and virtual spaces, breaking down the barriers between physical and digital environments. It enriches the real world with digital experiences and information, while also making online 3D spaces more interactive and lifelike. The spatial computing layer encompasses technologies like 3D engines, AR, VR, XR, and mapping.
There are speculations that Google intends to map the Metaverse, utilising spatial computing to create immersive, realistic 3D environments that engage users through multiple senses.
The health and fitness industries extensively employ data integration from IoT devices and individual biometric data. Additionally, speech and gesture recognition are integral components of spatial computing software.
Spatial computing has evolved into a significant technology class that enhances our experiences by providing access to and manipulation of 3D environments.
To enable the functioning of spatial computing, sophisticated hardware and software are required. This section focuses on the software components, while the hardware aspect will be covered in the ‘human interface’ layer of the article. The software layer of the metaverse includes features such as:
- 3D engines like Unity and Unreal Engine for rendering geometry and movement.
- Object recognition and geospatial mapping for mapping and analysing the physical and digital worlds.
- Gesture and voice recognition.
- IoT integration for collecting data from hardware devices.
- Human body biometrics for identification purposes.
- Future user interfaces designed to handle simultaneous information streams and analysis.
Decentralisation
The decentralization of the internet offers a long-awaited solution to the longstanding issues associated with centralized systems. One prominent problem is the concentration of power in the hands of a few companies, resulting in censorship and control over online content and activities. By adopting a decentralised approach, power dynamics shift, as data and applications are distributed across a network of computers rather than centralised servers. Consequently, these companies lose their ability to exert control. Additionally, decentralised internet makes it significantly more challenging for governments to censor or block specific websites, as shutting down the entire network would be required instead of targeting a few central servers. Furthermore, decentralization enhances security by eliminating a single point of vulnerability that hackers can exploit.
Human Interface
The human interface serves as the bridge between us and the Metaverse, facilitating our interaction and experience within it. It encompasses both physical elements, such as headsets or gloves, and virtual components, like avatars or digital assistants. As technology advances, the human interface continues to evolve, constantly improving to enhance our connection with the Metaverse. With time, the human interface will become more intuitive and seamless, enabling us to engage with the Metaverse in ways that currently seem impossible. This transformative aspect of the human interface holds immense potential, reshaping various aspects of our lives, work, and leisure activities. The possibilities that lie ahead are limitless.
Infrastructure
Just as a network serves as our foundational infrastructure, the Metaverse will also require its own infrastructure to enable people to navigate and interact within it. This infrastructure will consist of essential components like virtual reality (VR) headsets, haptic suits, and other hardware that enable users to immerse themselves fully in the Metaverse. Equally important for the Metaverse’s infrastructure is the software that drives it, responsible for powering user avatars and facilitating interactions among participants. Furthermore, establishing a governance system will be vital to ensure the Metaverse remains a safe and secure environment for all users. Together, these elements form the crucial infrastructure that underpins the functioning and experience of the Metaverse.
Features of the Metaverse
Incorporation of Avatars
A fundamental aspect of the Metaverse is the creation of digital avatars that allow individuals to express their unique emotions and feelings. Each person possesses their own distinct digital identity, which can take the form of static or animated avatars. These avatars serve as a means of self-expression, as they can accurately replicate one’s actual appearance or be imaginative recreations of favourite celebrities or entirely original creations.
The concept of gamification comes into play when users are given the opportunity to customise and modify their avatars, enhancing the interactive and dynamic nature of the experience.
Avatars can be easily customized and may bear some resemblance to their users’ real-life counterparts. Additionally, avatars can also take the form of computer applications. Users can operate their avatars using various input devices such as keyboards, joysticks, mice, and specialized human-computer interfacing (HCI) devices. The use of more realistic avatars can provide viewers or interactors with a heightened sense of immersion in the virtual environment.
Blockchain-Based Operations
Blockchain plays a vital role in the Metaverse by allowing consumers to safeguard their virtual assets and providing them with a digital proof of ownership. As the Metaverse experiences a surge in data volume, value, and the need for security and reliability, blockchain technology becomes an essential component. It ensures the validity of data in the Metaverse and utilizes artificial intelligence to protect its diverse and abundant content.
The drawbacks of centralized data storage in systems like database management systems (DBMS) make blockchain an indispensable element of the Metaverse concept. By eliminating the control of centralised organizations, the blockchain-based Metaverse enables access to any digital realm.
The Use of Virtual Land (Parcels)
The demand for virtual land in the Metaverse is skyrocketing. In the Metaverse, anyone can purchase land using cryptocurrencies. This land is represented as a non-fungible token (NFT), a unique blockchain asset that cannot be exchanged for other items. The size of the land is determined by the number of pixels it occupies in the Metaverse.
Virtual land provides a platform for various activities such as digital storefronts, virtual gaming, and entertainment. The size and location of the land dictate its potential uses. For example, plots located near a popular VR street may be valuable due to the opportunity for display advertisements.
Immersive Experiences (AR and VR)
By leveraging mixed reality and AR/VR technologies, participants in the Metaverse can enjoy more immersive experiences that merge the real world with the virtual realm. It’s easy to see why the Metaverse is gaining popularity rapidly— it has the potential to bring games, concerts, plays, and professional or educational encounters to life, making them feel more authentic.
The primary pillars of Metaverse projects are AR and VR. Augmented reality systems rely on three essential components: seamless integration of the physical and virtual environments, real-time interaction, and precise rendering of 3D objects. These elements are crucial for creating engaging augmented reality experiences within the Metaverse.
Intersection with Artificial Intelligence (AI)
AI plays a pivotal role in driving corporate research across various fields such as content analysis, self-supervised speech processing, robotic interactions, computer vision, and whole-body posture estimation, making it indispensable to the Metaverse.
AI’s importance extends to business applications within the Metaverse, where it can be utilised in diverse ways. A subfield of AI called AIOps leverages machine learning to assist companies in effectively managing their IT infrastructure, a concept that will soon be applicable to Metaverse systems. Additionally, AI-powered chatbots are increasingly prevalent in organizations. In the Metaverse, AI bots equipped with lifelike avatars can be deployed for multiple purposes, including sales, marketing, and customer support.
Decentralised Autonomous Organisations (DAOs) for Governance
A DAO, which stands for Decentralised Autonomous Organisation, functions as a governing entity akin to a council or committee. It leverages blockchain technology and smart contracts to achieve consensus on various decisions. In accordance with DAO governance principles, the Treasury Wallet provides funds for farming activities across multiple networks. To ensure inclusivity and participation from all organisation members, decision-making within DAOs continues to be governed by proposals and voting processes. This procedural framework is crucial for enabling participants to cast votes on important decisions related to the management of Metaverse resources.
Reliance on Human-Computer Interface (HCI) Technology
The expansive online computer platform called the Metaverse encompasses a wide array of platforms, devices, and individual users on a large scale. Achieving the goal of the Metaverse relies heavily on incorporating Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) to seamlessly integrate user actions into the virtual world.
HCI facilitates the exchange of information between humans and computers, enabling them to engage in specific activities within the Metaverse. One significant advantage of human-computer interaction is its ability to assist individuals or groups in acquiring the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively interact with computing systems.
A Focus on Social Interactions
In the Metaverse, individuals engage and communicate with one another using avatars and visual representations. Users have the ability to interact both with the Metaverse itself and with other users. These interactions take place within the realm of cyberspace, which serves as a virtual representation of the real world.
However, there are notable distinctions between the economic and physical constraints of physical locations. It is conceivable to envision a convergence of our real-world experiences into a unified virtual environment. Through this comprehensive experience, people will be able to navigate an expansive world that brings together diverse encounters, transcending the limitations of traditional boundaries.
Challenges of the Metaverse
In the realm of the metaverse, despite its promising potential and ambitious aspirations, a host of challenges must be confronted before its envisioned future can materialise. These challenges, emerging in tandem with the evolution of digital worlds, demand comprehensive solutions for a secure and inclusive metaverse experience.
Security
The foundation of the metaverse hinges on reliability and security. Without these cornerstones, user confidence in investing time and resources within virtual realms remains fragile. Ongoing security breaches underscore the urgency of addressing vulnerabilities stemming from weak blockchain designs, exploitable technologies, and flawed smart contracts. The persistent menace of phishing scams further compounds the need for robust security measures.
Privacy
While biometric data augments immersion in the metaverse, it raises significant concerns about privacy. Voice, eye, and facial recognition technologies enrich the user experience but expose individuals to potential identity theft. The collection and potential misuse of biometric and behavioral data, akin to the Web 2.0 ad-driven economy, amplifies these worries. Moreover, the metaverse confronts challenges related to copyright infringement, especially in the fluid domain of NFTs and their mutable counterparts.
Equal Access
The metaverse’s accessibility disparity looms as a formidable barrier. High costs of hardware, coupled with physical discomforts like eye strain and nausea, hinder widespread adoption. Global internet accessibility discrepancies further exacerbate this limitation, inhibiting virtual engagement for many. For true global integration, the metaverse must democratise access and address prohibitive costs through financial inclusivity and support for cryptocurrencies.
Governance
The governance landscape in the metaverse raises complex questions. Centralised ‘gardens’ coexist with decentralised autonomous organisations (DAOs), a vital structure for collaborative development. Yet, DAOs confront their own challenges, including power imbalances and vulnerability to scams. These decentralised entities also perplex regulatory authorities, who struggle to enforce rules when decisions are collective. Addressing governance entails harmonising regulatory frameworks and distributing responsibility equitably.
As the metaverse’s potential beckons, these multifaceted challenges underscore the necessity for strategic and holistic solutions. Only by surmounting these hurdles can the metaverse truly manifest its envisioned global landscape of innovation and connectivity.
What is the Difference Between the Internet and the Metaverse
| Aspect | Internet | Metaverse |
| Role | Facilitates communication, commerce, and exploration. | Enhances the internet’s foundation, blurring real and virtual. |
| Connectivity | Interlinks billions of devices in a vast network. | Creates immersive spaces for users to inhabit. |
| Function | Browsing websites, accessing information. | Inhabiting virtual realms, interactive experiences. |
| Examples | Accessing websites, online commerce. | Immersive games (Roblox, Minecraft), platforms (Zoom). |
| Relationship to Growth | Basis for the metaverse’s development. | Serves as a precursor and foundation for the metaverse. |
| Technological Iteration | Web 2.0 – Traditional internet structure. | Web 3.0 (Web3) – Blockchain-based, decentralised. |
| Empowerment | Users consume content and information. | Users have control, interact, and contribute actively. |
Summary
The features of the metaverse indicate its status as a groundbreaking technological intervention, aligning with the visionary depictions portrayed in science fiction and films. These distinctive characteristics play a vital role in materializing the metaverse’s vision and functionality. It is evident that the metaverse’s traits define its fundamental capabilities. As the metaverse continues to evolve, it is poised to incorporate an array of additional features. Discover more about the metaverse and explore the value it offers to the world through its present features.
FAQs
What is the purpose of metaverse?
The metaverse project is a virtual realm created with the aim of uniting users just like in the physical world, enabling them to meet and engage with one another. It serves as a virtual universe where users can embody avatars that reflect their personalities and desires.
How will the metaverse help the world?
The metaverse will revolutionise industries by transforming their operations, generating new employment opportunities, and significantly enhancing remote collaboration. Teams of experts located in various places can converge in a metaverse environment to collaborate on designing prototypes for upcoming products prior to the commencement of manufacturing.
How will metaverse impact everyday life?
Advocates assert that if implemented effectively, the virtual realms of the metaverse will foster camaraderie among remote workers, enhance collaboration, expedite training processes, minimise the demand for physical office spaces, and overall contribute to a more enjoyable work environment.
What are the uses of metaverse in industry?
Utilising the metaverse extends to crafting virtual realms tailored for the media sector, functioning as a platform to construct virtual filming sets and enhance the authenticity of video scenes with heightened realism.
What are the challenges of the metaverse?
A prominent challenge lies in the insufficient infrastructure and technology required to underpin the Metaverse. Numerous Indian retailers might lack the means to invest in the essential technology and infrastructure for establishing virtual stores or delivering top-tier immersive encounters.
Who actually uses the metaverse?
In general, the majority of metaverse users (84%) indicate using platforms for personal pleasure, while a mere 3% engage for professional purposes. Approximately two-thirds of participants (64%) express strong confidence or near certainty that they won't utilise the metaverse professionally in any manner.
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