According to many, the metaverse represents the next great evolution of online interaction , a shift characterized by the transition from text-based web pages and closed ecosystems to shared and interconnected spaces. Platforms capable of recreating virtual worlds within which users can move freely and meet other avatars. But, today, what is meant by the metaverse? How does it work and what are its main applications and opportunities?
Definition of metaverse
The metaverse is an immersive, persistent, interactive, and interoperable ecosystem , composed of multiple interconnected virtual worlds where users can socialize, work, transact, play, and create assets. The main solutions to achieve interoperability are based on the concept of web3 and technologies such as blockchain and NFTs ( Non Fungible Token ). However, the metaverse is enabled by many different technologies, such as AR (augmented reality) and VR (virtual reality), edge computing , and many others.
Features of the metaverse
It is possible to identify some distinctive bahrain whatsapp data features of the metaverse, which should be:
interoperable : allows the interconnection of data, objects, digital resources and identities between different virtual worlds;
guarantees the ownership of the goods;
modular : allows you to create assets and/or customize spaces;
free to access and capable of allowing users to participate in events, places and activities synchronously;
inhabited and representative : allows users to be represented by creating customizable avatars;
persistent : capable of continuing to exist indefinitely and independently of the presence or absence of a subject;
economically active : allows individuals and businesses to create, own, invest, sell and be rewarded;
immersive : can provide an experience that combines the real world and the virtual world.
What is the metaverse?
Types of Metaverse
There are different types of platforms that are close in technology or concept to the metaverse, while others are far from it. These categories of virtual worlds can be divided into: Metaverse Ready, Open World, Focused World and Showrooming World .
The virtual worlds that come closest to the immersive experience of the metaverse are called Metaverse Ready . These are equipped with native tokens, have an internal economy, guarantee asset ownership and modularity, and, above all, are interoperable. Some examples are The Sandbox and Decentraland which, thanks to blockchain technology and the use of NFTs, allow the integration of some interoperability components.
Open World virtual worlds feature components that make them similar to Metaverse Ready platforms , but they do not yet use technologies that can make them interoperable. Horizon Worlds (Meta) and Roblox represent two examples that, if they decided to integrate NFTs in the future, would become Metaverse Ready .
An example of a Focused World virtual world is the gaming platform developed by Epic Games: Fortnite. Created in 2017, it allows users to create content and participate in interactive experiences, run multiplayer game sessions and customize their avatar. It falls into the Focused Worlds category , as it focuses on a specific area of interest (games) and does not feature interoperability elements. Finally, what happens in the course of the game is not persistent over time.