From fully-immersive VR gaming to virtual conference rooms that feel just as real as the world around you, the Metaverse is touting some pretty cool ideas. But don’t get too excited just yet. Technically, even though Facebook confused the world by changing the name of its parent company to “Meta,” the Metaverse hasn’t launched in any widespread capacity yet. Although the pieces are there for this awesome virtual reality world to thrive, the devices to access it (such as headsets and other augmented reality tech) simply aren’t available on a widespread basis.
So how could something so difficult to access create such a buzz across the business world and the entire gaming community? Part of the reason is the idea of the Metaverse has been around since 1992, when Neal Stephenson wrote his legendary sci-fi novel Snow Crash. It didn’t take long for other writers and dreamers around the world to latch on to the idea and carry it to levels that Stephenson probably couldn’t have imagined even in his weirdest stories.
Speaking of weird, are you ready to learn 5 facts about the Metaverse that will leave you even more eager for its long-anticipated launch? If so, buckle in. But first, we’ll give a brief overview of what exactly the Metaverse is for anyone out there who might be confused.
After all, the idea is pretty . . . well, meta!
Are you ready to embrace the unknown future of the internet?
Defining the Metaverse in a single sentence is simply impossible, as it spans the entire future of the internet and beyond. However, there are some sides of the Metaverse that almost any tech-lover could relate to. Here are just a few of the mind-bending features you can look forward to when the Metaverse is finally mainstream.
- Augmented reality experiences
- Innovative, immersive new virtual marketplaces
- Next-level collaboration in digital work environments
- Virtual world creation like never before
Tech giants like Microsoft, Apple, and NVDIA are scrambling to develop cutting-edge devices to access this virtual world of wonders, but for now, the options remain limited. But that doesn’t mean you can’t prepare for launch with these five cool Metaverse facts in the meantime!
1. With the Metaverse, gaming will never be the same
One of our favorite Metaverse facts is it will change the way we game forever. In fact, to some extent it already has. With the VR gaming market expected to explode from $7.92 billion in 2021 to $53.44 billion by 2028, it’s clear where the future of gaming is headed.
To an extent, the line between reality and the virtual world has been challenged for years by games like Second Life. However, with companies like Google and Nintendo racing to create the best virtual reality headsets of all time, it’s clear things are just going to keep getting better and better. With so many tech giants continuing to lay down the infrastructure, the Metaverse might be the best thing that ever happened to gaming once it’s easier to access.
2. The Metaverse may bring the next online gold rush
Just as some early adapters became inconceivably rich off bitcoin, the Metaverse may offer similar opportunities. With NFT marketplaces already grossing over $40 billion in sales, imagine the possibilities for innovative new NFT shopping experiences. In fact, some of the infrastructure for these marketplaces is already set up—but like much of the Metaverse, we just don’t have the widespread tech to access them yet.
Aside from selling NFTs, there will be plenty of other opportunities to make it big when the Metaverse comes along. Crypto trading, virtual real estate, and virtual product sales have ample opportunities to skyrocket as well.
3. The Metaverse offers opportunities for improving mental health
From calming meditation apps to cutting-edge depression treatments, the Metaverse shows great promise for improving mental health treatment. The immersive nature of the Metaverse will allow patients to experience deeper states of relaxation, and doctors to treat patients in ways they couldn’t have imagined a few decades ago.
Plus, in hospital and nursing home settings where patients are bedbound, the Metaverse could provide engaging distractions from the doldrums of life. Connecting with faraway family members would be even more realistic than ever, and a fresh VR environment could provide a much-needed spark to an otherwise dismal day.
4. You can become an architect of the Metaverse yourself
People have been building their own little corners of virtual reality for years in games like Minecraft and Animal Crossing. But the Metaverse will take it all to the next level. Imagine a world, designed entirely by you, where friends, family, and strangers alike can meet up and explore together. This is what an open-source Metaverse will allow you to design.
Although the Metaverse is currently dominated by large corporations, some people imagine a future where users will drive and create content and shape the future of technology itself. This is the backbone of a true open-source Metaverse—a place where you can create and live in the world you always dreamed of.
5. Some people believe the Metaverse will negatively impact reality
One of the weirdest Metaverse facts is that some people are terrified of its implications. While the standard fears of scams and identity theft topped the list in a survey by Coupon Follow, another interesting fear emerged in the results as well: Detachment from reality.
Another survey by The Harris Poll revealed similar fears. 52% of participants worried they’d lose interest in their physical surroundings if the Metaverse ended up being too engaging—and their main fear centered around the loss of pre-existing relationships. Ironically, this isn’t too far off from the plot of Snow Crash, the novel that spawned the term “Metaverse” to begin with.
However, backers of the Metaverse claim that instead of being a threat to reality, the Metaverse is an amazing parallel realm that will enable humanity to take its interactions to levels previously unseen.
Which side are you on? Let us know in the comments!
Do these facts about the Metaverse excite you or freak you out? Or maybe you’re even experiencing a measure of both emotions. With such weird and interesting technology looming on the horizon, it’s natural to feel uncertain about where you stand. It looks like you’ll just have to dive in and see the Metaverse for yourself before you make your decision! At least you have all these cool Metaverse facts to mull over in the meantime.
And remember, if you decide to take the plunge and become an early adopter of the Metaverse when the tech comes out, you’re going to need reliable, ultra-fast internet. And with speeds of up to 940 Mbps, Quantum fiber has you covered. And with our 99.9% reliability^, you won’t have to worry about losing your connection when you’re fully immersed.
Speed may not be available in your area.
^Based on network uptime or availability.
If you’re looking for more cool facts about the Metaverse—or even just some interesting tech articles in general—head over to our blog to stay informed!
