Metaverse – Have you been faced with this dying question? Well, you’re not the only one. The metaverse is fast expanding and so many people have little or no idea about what the multiverse is and how it works which is why I have taken the time to explain what the metaverse is, what to do in the metaverse, and how to get into the metaverse.
The Metaverse refers to a digital world where people gather and play games, socialize and work. In recent times, it has become a hot topic in the media, with lots of hype about its future. As the future looks very exciting for the Metaverse and is supposedly the next big thing, we’re here to walk you through how exactly you can take your first steps into it.
What Is The Metaverse?
A metaverse/multiverse is a shared virtual space that is highly realistic, immersive, and interactive as a result of the use of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technology. In other words, The metaverse is “an integrated network of 3D virtual worlds”. These worlds are accessed through a virtual reality headset. Users navigate the megaverse using their eye movements, feedback controllers, or voice commands.
The Metaverse is a massively scaled and interoperable network of real-time rendered 3D virtual worlds that can be experienced synchronously and persistently by an effectively infinite number of users with an individual sense of presence and with continuity of data, such as identity, history, entitlements, objects, communications, and payments.
About The Metaverse
The term “Metaverse” was coined by Neal Stephenson in his novel Snow Crash (1992), where he imagined a parallel environment to the internet where people could interact with each other using avatars.
The book pretty much sums up what the metaverse is. It’s a physically persistent virtual space where there are virtual avatars, digital social interactions, and gaming among many unique things that we associate with metaverse today.
These three elements — a VR interface, digital ownership, and avatars — are still prominent in current metaverse conceptions.
However, none of them are necessary to the concept. In broad terms, the metaverse is defined as a graphically rich virtual space with some degree of realism in which people can work, play, shop, socialize — in short, do the things that humans like to do together in real life (or, perhaps more to the point, on the internet).
Proponents of the megaverse frequently emphasize the concept of “presence” as a defining factor: feeling like you’re really there, and that other people are also really there with you.
How The Metaverse Works
In the multiverse, people use avatars to represent themselves, communicate with each other, and virtually build out the community. Also, digital currency is used to buy clothes or weapons and shielding in the case of video games and many other items.
Users can also virtually travel through the metaverse for fun with no goal in mind using a virtual reality headset and controllers.
Metaverse Platforms
In the meantime, there are already many Metaverse platforms online for you to get started. The most popular ones are The Sandbox and Decentraland. Then there are some others, like Axie Infinity, Ertha, Horizon Worlds, and Star Atlas.
How To Get Into The Metaverse
Just in case you’re wondering how you can enter and access the metaverse at this point. It is not rocket science; for this article, we will be using Decentraland to demonstrate how you can enter and experience the Metaverse for yourself.
So you’ll need a laptop and a crypto wallet to use the platform. While it is accessible via smartphones and most computers, most of them lack sufficient processing power to provide you with optimal performance. This is one of the reasons why Facebook is focusing on developing more hardware, such as smart glasses, to make it easier for users to access the Metaverse.
Step 1: Create an Avatar
Since the Metaverse is all about creating your own virtual world, the first step is obviously to create your own digital avatar. Decentraland provides a panel where you can create and customize your avatar.
It allows you to change your hair, eye color, and clothing, it also allows you to accessorize your character. If you don’t like what your character is wearing, you can change it.
Step 2: Explore The World
Now once you have spent enough time deciding what your character will look like, you will be dropped in Genesis Plaza which is a starting point in Decentraland. It might take you a bit while to adjust yourself to the space.
Here characters will keep popping on your left and right. After this, it is time for you to get yourself teleported. After all, this is all the Metaverse is about, going wherever you want without walking or driving. For teleporting yourself to other spaces Decentraland pans out the grid and you can select any of the spaces created by other users and get there.
Step 3: Play Games
Decentraland offers you the option to play games also and the most popular game that everyone is playing is ‘Wonder Mine Crafting Game’. Here meteors strike the ground and players have to mine them for money and minerals. Every avatar is given off 100 Wondercoins to get themselves started.
Step 4: Make New Friends
While playing the game you also have the opportunity to make new friends. You can take the opportunity to talk with other players and ask about how they feel about Metaverse. Similar to many online multiplayer games, the platform provides players with that opportunity. They can then make new friends and experience the virtual world of Metaverse together.
What do I need to enter the metaverse?
To fully experience the Metaverse you will need an Oculus Quest 2 virtual reality headset. It comes with graphics chip and storage components directly integrated into the headset. It includes six built-in external tracking cameras that follow the position of your head and hands within a space without the need for separate tracking sensors. Along with the headset, you also get an oculus touch controller, each featuring a joystick and buttons so you can grab virtual objects and interact with them.
When you use the headset for the first time you will see a monochromatic view of your surrounding environment. It is possible through its external tracking cameras. From here you can clearly map out places to walk around. With the augmented reality marker you will see over your floor. It is up to you to decide and confirm your boundary. Once you do that the world around you disintegrates and you’ll be able to fully experience the virtual 3D environment.
The headset also carries sound from all directions and it will also let you hear ambient noise in reality. In case you want to fully immerse yourself in the 3D environment you can connect a pair of headphones. It will eliminate background noise and you can enjoy your experience.
You can also receive your phone notifications when using the headset. Users can receive alerts such as social media updates or meeting notifications while they are using the headset. For now, it is not very popular in India but has sold over 4 million headsets alone in the US. It is one of the most successful VR headsets so far in the market. The rise of the Metaverse opened a gateway for Facebook. The company is now working to develop more augmented reality technology.
Although not all Metaverse platforms require a dedicated virtual reality headset. Some of the metaverse platforms like Decentraland can be experienced by just using your desktop PC or laptop using your internet browser. But to best experience the platforms ultimately all Metaverse platforms might require a VR headset but right now it’s not mandatory.
What is the difference between the internet and the metaverse?
The internet is a network of billions of computers, millions of servers, and other electronic devices. Once online, internet users can communicate with each other, view and interact with websites, and buy and sell goods and services.
The metaverse doesn’t compete with the internet instead, it builds on it. In the metaverse, users traverse a virtual world that mimics aspects of the physical world using technologies such as virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), AI, social media, and digital currency. The internet is something that people “browse.” But, to a degree, people can “live” in the multiverse
What Role Does NFTs Play In The Metaverse?
Nonfungible tokens (NFTs) play an important role in the metaverse’s utility and popularity. NFTs are a type of secure digital asset that uses the same blockchain technology as cryptocurrency. An NFT can represent a piece of art, a song, or digital real estate instead of currency. An NFT provides the owner with a digital deed or proof of ownership that can be purchased or sold in the metaverse.
Metaverse Properties claims to be the world’s first virtual real estate firm. In several metaverse virtual worlds, including Decentraland, Sandbox, Somnium, and Upland, the company acts as an agent to facilitate the purchase or rental of property or land. Conference and commercial spaces, art galleries, family homes, and “hangout spots” are all available.
Conclusion
It has recently become a hot topic in the media, with much speculation about the Metaverse’s future. We’re here to walk you through how to take your first steps into the Multiverse’s future, which looks very exciting and is supposedly the next big thing.
