In recent months, the metaverse has been a trending topic, with Microsoft and Facebook joining the conversation by making huge bets on this new frontier. But, what is this metaverse? And is it already in existence, or do we still have to wait to see what becomes of it?

Author Neal Stephenson is known to have come up with the term “metaverse” in his 1992 sci-fi novel “Snow Crash”. He used the term to describe a virtual world where lifelike avatars would meet in different types of other virtual reality environments like cities, parks, and 3D buildings. Since then, huge strides have been made towards making a real metaverse that is made up of 3D holographic avatars, virtual reality, augmented reality, and different channels of communication.

Instances of the metaverse can already be seen in online game worlds like Roblox, Minecraft, and Fortnite. And, the big names behind those games have plans to be part of the growth and realization of the metaverse.

So, What Is The Metaverse?

The metaverse is a combination of various technologies, including video, augmented reality, and virtual reality, where users interact within a digital world. Proponents of the metaverse envision people living, working, playing, and socializing with friends through everything from conferences and concerts to virtual trips around the universe as we know it.

In essence, the metaverse can be described as the next phase of the internet, where people will be able to communicate and share information on a whole new level. Many people believe the metaverse will play a major role in the final actualization of Web3.

When Can We Expect to See The Metaverse?

Mack Zuckerberg, the CEO of Facebook (recently renamed Meta), estimates that it could take around 10 years for the world to have a fully-functional metaverse that includes all the key features required for people to “live” in a completely virtual world. However, certain aspects of the metaverse already exist. Always-on online worlds, virtual reality headsets, and superfast broadband speeds are already up and running, even though not many people have access to these technologies.

Examples of the Metaverse

Meta

Meta, the company, is one of the best examples of the metaverse. The tech conglomerate, formerly known as Facebook, has already begun to make big investments in Web3 and the metaverse by acquiring virtual reality companies like Oculus. Meta is looking to create a virtual universe where people can interact through digital avatars for work, entertainment, and communication using virtual reality headsets. Mark Zuckerberg has made a big bet on the metaverse. He believes that it could replace the internet as we know it

Microsoft

The popular software and operating systems manufacturer is another major player in the evolution of the metaverse. Microsoft is currently making its own extended and mixed reality applications with its Microsoft Mesh platform. Microsoft revealed its plans for bringing augmented reality including virtual avatars and 3D holograms to Microsoft Teams in 2022. The company also plans to launch a 3D virtual space for businesses and retail companies. The U.S. military is currently working with Microsoft to create virtual reality headsets for soldiers to train and rehearse in.