“Metaverse” is a term coined by science fiction author Neal Stephenson, in his 1992 novel Snow Crash. It describes a 3D virtual world populated by avatars of real people. Although a large variety of science fiction media incorporates metaverse-like systems, Snow Crash is still the most common reference point for fans. Regardless of your perspective, this term has a definite future in science fiction.
A Metaverse is a persistent virtual environment that is interactive and immersive. Large groups of users are immersed in a single world and share a strong sense of mutual presence. While some people are sceptical about the concept, other people are excited about the possibilities it opens. As such, this new term may become a new buzzword in the near future. In the meantime, Facebook has already rebranded itself as “metaverse” to represent its evolving image.
Epic Games, developers of Fortnite and The Sims, are investing heavily in building the Metaverse. They’ve already hosted concerts by Ariana Grande and Travis Scott, reenacted Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I have a dream,” and even reimagined a speech by Martin Luther King Jr. They’re also working on photorealistic digital humans. And with a tool like the MetaHuman Creator, gamers can design their own avatars and customize them to suit their preferences.
While the metaverse promises to add a new layer of human activity on the digital plane, experts say it will take some time before widespread standardization will occur. While the future of the metaverse is bright, it will be crucial to implement this new technology carefully and in an efficient manner if it is to be sustainable. With the right strategy, users can engage in meaningful human interaction in the metaverse without ever leaving their homes or workplaces. That way, they can focus on their real lives while allowing the technology to help them live more fulfilling lives.
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