The Next Universe: The Metaverse
Emmanuel Nwafuru
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The Metaverse: Meaning, Origin, Features and Importance
You must have, in one way or another, come across the word "metaverse," whose meaning is overly hyped. Well, even if you haven't, congratulations! You just did.
Many perceive it as a destructive technology that might threaten human existence; to others, it's the long-awaited future. Some believe it's an idea without form, but to others, it's an existing technology.
The metaverse has attracted billions of users all over the world. About 27.7 million players were present in Fortnite's Travis Scott virtual concert, an icon series outfit in Fortnite.
The metaverse combines augmented reality (AR) and virtual eality (VR) with a brain-computer interface and other technologies. You may have seen the VR headset or even played games with it. It's the only familiar technology that partially mirrors the metaverse.
The Metaverse is a universe of mind-blowing wonders. It's indeed the next universe. Do you want to know more? Read on and discover its mind-blowing features.
What is Metaverse?
The word "Metaverse" is coined from "meta" and "universe". Meta is a modifier that describes something at a higher level. Therefore, the metaverse can be rephrased as a higher universe.
It's a shared and immersive 3D virtual space that gives users the experience of a new life far higher than that of the physical world. In this new digital world, users can interact with themselves and computer-generated entities through avatars.
It's a new evolution of the internet. We can't possibly talk about the future without mentioning the metaverse.
Everything has a beginning, and so does the metaverse. Let's see how this great concept began.
How it All Started
The metaverse is not a new concept. It has been in existence since the 1990s. It was first mentioned in a sci-fi novel called Snow Crash, written by Neal Stephenson in the early 1990s. Despite being a scientific term, it was coined by neither a scientist nor an IT mastermind.
The novel illustrates a 3D virtual world where every user owns a virtual replacement called Avatar. Through these avatars, users can explore a digital space that embodies real-world activities, like buying and selling.
An integral part of the metaverse is virtual reality (VR). Both histories are linked. We can get a glimpse of the metaverse concept from VR video games. Briefly, let's discuss the history of VR.
The question, "When did virtual reality begin?" has attracted many disputes as the exact date isn't clear. However, from a broad perspective, it was initiated between the 1950s-1960s. Ivan Sutherland, Bob Sproull, Dany Cohen, and Quentin Foster created the first VR Headset in 1968.
In the 1980s and 1990s, VR headsets became widespread, followed by their commercial release. As time went on, VR devices experienced development and were famously used in video games, even to date.
A lot has transpired from the 1990s to the 2021 announcement of Facebook's (presently Meta) metaverse agenda by Mark Zuckerberg. An example is the introduction of Second Life and the online virtual space in 2003, developed by Philip Rosedale and his team at the Linden Lab.
Similarly, an online gaming platform called Roblox, where users can build and also play games formulated by other users, was equally introduced.
However, Zuckerberg's concept of the metaverse is quite different from other metaverse concepts that embody video games. His concept illustrates a virtual space that substitutes the internet's sentiment.
7 Layers of the Metaverse
Many people are curious to understand how the metaverse works. In that case, we have compiled seven fundamental layers that formidably explain how it works. Let's hop in!
1. The Experience
The metaverse is not limited to just a 3D representation of the natural world. It also offers experiences that are impossible in the physical world. Unlike the physical world, everyone gets a front-row experience, like in concerts, events, etc.
Interestingly, users can participate in activities such as gaming, social interactions, shopping, and many other unbelievable experiences that defy the laws of physics.
2. The Discovery
The discovery layer is about finding new experiences and services in the metaverse, either through search engines in the ecosystem or displayed advertisements. The former is termed inbound discovery, while the latter is outbound discovery. It's an essential stage to discover new communities, experiences, protocols, and technologies to explore.
3. The Creator Economy
The Metaverse provides design tools that allow users to create immersive experiences, digital resources, and other assets without pre-learning. More importantly, users also gain ownership and management over their assets. And also, there's a marketplace where creators can sell their content.
4. The Spatial Computing
The spatial computing layer embodies the combination of virtual reality, augmented reality (AR), 3D engines, the cloud, sensors, and geospatial mapping so users can experience the immersive metaverse. This layer connects the virtual world to the physical world by combining these and many more technologies.
5. The Decentralization
Following the birth of decentralized blockchain technology, privacy and data security problems related to the centralized system have been resolved. As a result, the metaverse would be distributed and decentralized to avoid security violations.
A Decentralized Autonomous Organization called DAO is the governing body that manages the metaverse. It's a decentralized community where users make administrative and management decisions through voting. Here, users gain absolute control over their assets and data.
6. The Human Interface
The human interface is another critical layer that allows access to the metaverse. It allows users to navigate and receive information about their digital environment with the help of various devices like smart glasses, mobile phones, biosensors, neural interfaces, VR headsets, and other haptic devices.
7. The Infrastructure
The infrastructure encourages development. It embodies resources that make up for the smooth running and accessibility of the metaverse.
For example, connectivity technologies like the 5G and 6G WiFi, graphics processing units (GPUs), microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), cloud computing, batteries, and other technologies.
Features of Metaverse
Having discussed the layers of the metaverse, the notable features that drive the outstanding value proportions of this virtual world must also be carefully unveiled. Metaverse features are the primary components that ensure its integrity in delivering what is promised.
1. Blockchain-Based
Blockchain technology is one of the crucial aspects of the metaverse. Users can not gain access without it. With the incorporation of blockchain, the metaverse is improving in value, dependability, data volume, and security.
2. Governed by DAO
A decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) constitutes a decision-making body built on blockchain and smart contracts, where decisions are reached through a consensus mechanism.
Members of the DAO gain voting power based on the number of tokens purchased. This gives them the authority to participate in the decision-making process in the metaverse. The DAO system extensively eliminates problems associated with a centralized metaverse.
3. Incorporation of Digital Avatars
This is one core attribute of the metaverse, where every user possesses a digital replica called an Avatar to express their feelings and emotions in the metaverse.
Another interesting aspect is that avatars can be upgraded and modified to users' preferences. Imagine owning an avatar that looks exactly like your favorite superhero.
4. The Use of Virtual Economy
From cryptocurrencies like Ethereum, Sand, and MANA to digital assets and goods like Non-fungible tokens (NFTs), the virtual economy plays a vital role in the metaverse.
Statistically, there's an increasing demand for virtual land in the metaverse. Many companies and individuals have shown interest and even bought some for themselves. The size of virtual land in the metaverse is the number of pixels occupied in its real estate.
5. Persistency
The metaverse is a persistent world. It does not revolve around any individual or company. Just as the physical world never rests, so does this virtual world, run and remain active even after you take off the VR headset and log out.
6. Security
This is another important feature in the metaverse. It consists of a set of privacy and ethical standards constructed to address issues relating to cyber security. It ensures high standards for user protection, user identities, and user confidence. Adherence to these standards would undoubtedly attract more users into the metaverse.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Since the announcement of the Facebook metaverse, people's curiosity about it has led to tons of questions. As a result, we've gathered a few of the frequently asked questions to gain more exposition into this new but old concept.
Can You Feel and Touch People in The Metaverse?
Yes! You can feel and touch people in the metaverse with the help of wearable devices capable of reproducing the sensation of touch in the digital environment.
Can You Go to Jail in Metaverse?
No one can go to jail in the metaverse. But, be sure that platforms can rightfully freeze out users who defile their terms and conditions of service and harm others.
How Can I Buy Land in Metaverse?
You can buy land in the metaverse through its marketplaces such as decentraland and sandbox, or NFT platforms like OpenSea and Rarible.
How Can I Make Money in Metaverse?
Investors and gamers can make money in the metaverse through opportunities like selling NFTs for profit's sake, playing games to earn, and hosting concerts. Even selling tickets for events and renting metaverse real estate.
Can You Eat in the Metaverse?
It's impossible to eat in the metaverse. However, you can order real food from virtual restaurants and have it delivered to you in the real world.
Who Owns the Metaverse?
The new concept of the metaverse is owned by Mark Zuckerberg, the founder and CEO of Meta.
The Bottom Line
You would agree with me that this is another phase of the internet revolution. Different sectors in our world today have embraced the use of the metaverse.
Its market is rapidly climbing and will predictably climb up to $996 billion by 2030. In years to come, it would be the most preferred technology, among others.
