What is Metaverse and the tech behind it?

Each day we face the challenge of understanding new concepts thrown at us by evolving technologies. As per CEOs like Mark Zuckerberg or Satya Nadella, Metaverse is the future of the internet. Industry leaders consider it as the new building block of the internet and communication. There’s also a lot of marketing hype wrapped up in this idea of the metaverse, which most of us are unable to understand. But there’s nothing to worry, let’s help you understand what is metaverse and how it is going to change the way we look at the world around us.

What is Metaverse?

Metaverse is a 3D virtual reality space that acts as an urban environment for its users. In science fiction and futurism, hypothetically, the metaverse is termed as a virtual world that is facilitated by the use of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) headsets.

The term “metaverse” has its origins in the 1992 science fiction novel Snow Crash as a portmanteau of “meta” and “universe.” Metaverse allows you to create a persona that you can take everywhere as easily as you can copy your profile picture from one social network to another. An interactive use of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technology enables the metaverse experience.

Metaverse is also influenced by Web3. Web3 is a concept for a decentralized iteration of the internet. Although we hear Metaverse mostly around gaming and social media, some companies are aiming to introduce metaverse technology in different spheres of our lives. Some of these are work productivity, interactive learning environments, retail merchandising etc in e-commerce, real estate and the fashion industry.

Origin Of Metaverse

The essential components of the metaverse have already been developed with the help of video games. Second Life – the 2003 virtual world platform has often been described as the first metaverse. Habbo Hotel, World of Warcraft, Minecraft Fortnite, VRChat, and game creation platform Roblox are popular games described as part of the metaverse.

Microsoft acquired the VR company AltspaceVR in 2017. Later, the company incorporated metaverse features such as virtual avatars and meetings held in virtual reality into Microsoft Teams.

The social network company Facebook launched a social VR world called Facebook Horizon in 2019. Further in 2021, the chairman of Facebook Mark Zuckerberg renamed it as renamed “Meta Platforms”

As for now, it can be implemented in:

• Video games- such as Roblox, Active Worlds, The Palace, and Fortnite.
• Virtual Reality- Meta Platforms are created by companies such as Facebook and Microsoft wherein meetings are held in virtual reality in Microsoft Teams.

Properties Of Metaverse

The properties of the metaverse are:

• Massively scaled
• Interoperable
• Real-time rendered
• 3D virtual worlds
• Synchronous
• Persistent
• Unlimited number of users
• The individual sense of presence
• Continuity of data

Technology behind the Metaverse

Hardware

Access points for the metaverse include general-purpose smartphones and computers, augmented reality, mixed reality, and virtual reality. While software technology has advanced rapidly, there are challenges on the hardware front that act as a hurdle for faster adoption of metaverse.

Limitations of hardware:

• Lack of high-quality graphics and mobility due to limitations of portable hardware and the need to balance cost and design.
• Low retina display pixel density is needed for visual immersion due to the Lightweight wireless headsets.
• In addition to this, the hardware is too expensive for a common man’s affordability, as VR headsets range in price from $300 to $3500

Software

Pixar created Universal Scene Description- a specification for 3D computer graphics interchange. It is also supported by Apple’s Scenekit, Blender and Autodesk 3ds Max.

An open standard for access to virtual and augmented reality devices and experiences; OpenXR has been adopted by Meta Platforms for the Oculus Quest, Microsoft for HoloLens 2, and Valve for SteamVR.

Role Of India In Building Metaverse

India is a pool of talent. Engineers; developers and creators along with the whole new startup ecosystem in India will play a huge role in shaping the destiny of metaverse in India. India is aiming to have the largest app developer base in the world by 2024. It already has one of the largest ‘Spark AR’ developer communities’ that can take the metaverse to yet another level.

The Metaverse is the future of the world. An immersive digital environment, that uses augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and blockchain, has finally become a reality. Now it is a matter of time till it gets widely adapted. Have you already experienced it? If yes, then we would love to hear from you, please share your experience in the comment section below. You may also want to check out our other technology articles in our Technology Section.