Metaverse technology is a digital ecosystem built on various kinds of 3D technology, real-time collaboration software, and blockchain-based decentralized finance tools. It is a vision of the next iteration of the internet, a single, shared, immersive, persistent, 3D virtual space where humans experience life in ways they could not in the physical world. The Metaverse is based on the integration of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technology, allowing for multimodal interactions.
The term "metaverse" originated in the 1992 science fiction novel Snow Crash as a portmanteau of "meta" and "universe". In science fiction, the metaverse is a hypothetical iteration of the Internet as a single, universal, and immersive virtual world facilitated by the use of VR and AR headsets. In colloquial usage, a metaverse is a network of 3D virtual worlds focused on social and economic connection.
Some key aspects of metaverse technology include:
- Spatial computing: The ability to interact with and navigate the virtual space using 3D technology and real-time collaboration software.
- Digital humans: Virtual representations of real people that can interact with users in the metaverse.
- Shared experiences: The ability for multiple users to participate in the same virtual environment and interact with each other and the digital content.
- Gaming: The integration of gaming elements and mechanics into the metaverse, creating engaging and interactive experiences for users.
- Tokenized assets: The use of digital currencies and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) to represent and trade virtual assets within the metaverse, often using blockchain technology.
Metaverse technology is still in its early stages, and there is ongoing debate and speculation about its potential and implications. Some see it as a digital playground for friends, while others believe it has the potential to be a commercial space for companies and customers. The development of the metaverse is influenced by Web3, a concept for a decentralized iteration of the internet.
