In this article, we will discuss Metaverse. So, let’s get started.
Metaverse is a combination of multiple elements of technology, including virtual reality, augmented reality, and video where users “live” within a digital universe.
The concept is gradually gaining immense significance with many tech giants have already set in motion the progress for this process, with Facebook and Epic leading the pack.
Metaverse isn’t going to get built by any one company or even a small number of companies— but through empowering millions of creators around the world. In fact, as Mark Zuckerberg says, India is going to be a huge part of Metaverse considering that India’s online gaming sector, one of the important components of Metaverse, has seen a lot of growth over the past few years.
Metaverse
- The metaverse is not a new idea, science fiction writer Neal Stephenson coined the term in 1992, and the concept is commonplace among video game companies.
- Metaverse is the next version of the Internet focused on social connection.
- It can be defined as a simulated digital environment that uses Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and blockchain, along with concepts from social media, to create spaces for rich user interaction mimicking the real world.
- It can be imagined as a 3D virtual world, with ever-evolving aspects which are collectively shared by its inhabitants – a virtual world with real-time events and an online infrastructure.
- In theory, it encapsulates everything that’s happening into the real world and will bring real-time events and updates going forward. The user exists in a virtual world without borders.
Opportunities
- Virtual communities, activities, events, all seamlessly accessible without the need to sign into multiple apps.
- For a user-centric approach, a key aspect of the Metaverse that will work in its favour is the effortless transition from one to the next step without discrepancies.
- One can sign into his virtual office as a virtual avatar of himself, meet a client, take a break or play a sport – virtually all in one place.
- With the Covid-19 pandemic confining us to our homes for work, the Metaverse takes it to another level. It facilitates seamless cross-platform interaction with one’s friends, family, colleagues across the world.
- Cross-platform interaction is in its infancy even in the gaming industry. With the Metaverse, cross-platform interaction will be the gold standard for seamless virtual interaction across the globe. Addresses and pin codes won’t be a mandate anymore.
- With the Metaverse, the virtual marketplace will be a serious business affair.
- Brands will transform the way they advertise, which will be a memorable experience rather than the intrusive pop-ups and forced ads as seen today.
Associated Challenges
- Several women have reported incidents of harassment, including a beta tester who was virtually groped by a stranger. There has been a reported incident of gang-rape as well.
- It could also lead to new scrutiny of old issues like privacy and managing who does what to whom in a virtual world.
- These are early days for the metaverse. If safety isn’t baked early on into its design, it’ll be much harder to secure down the line.
- Psychologists and social scientists across the world are now worried about the psychological impacts of dual reality.
- They are already predicting a loss of emotional quotient (EQ), a loss of individuality, and a dulling of our sensitivities with shifting to a virtual world.
