Definition | Metaverse – Metaverse

From universe parallel to ours in which we will evolve and interact as in real life, engaging in socialization, games or even work. This is the new Holy Grail ofInternet what do people like mark zuckerberg : the “metaverses” or “metaverses”.

In English we speak of metaverse » and in French the term « metavers » is more commonly used. The etymology of the word tells us very well about its meaning. « Meta » means « beyond » and « towards » refers to the word « universe ». So we get “beyond the universe” or “parallel universe”.

The origins of the metaverse

The first appearance of the term metaverse was in Snow Crash, « The Virtual Samurai » by Neil Stephenson. In this visionary novel published in 1992, citizens use avatars digital to explore a virtual world online – which is just another way for them to escape reality. It turns out that in Snow Crash, the global economy collapsed and governments lost most of their power to a small number of mega-corporations. The metaverse is therefore a way for them to escape reality. The hero of the novel, Hiro Protagonist, spends most of his time there, via his glasses and listeners.

Steven Spielberg’s movie, Ready Player One (2018) relays a certain vision of such a concept: there is the virtual world Oasis, in which the hero of the film willingly immerses himself. However, this parallel world is above all dedicated to the game.

With the advent of NFTs for non-fungible token in English (unique digital objects), some video games online have begun to be equated with metaverses, including The Sandbox Where Decentralandin which everyone can claim exclusive access to a parcel of a given territory and intervene as they see fit on its appearance.

End of October 2021, Facebook brought the concept to the forefront, when Mark Zuckerberg announced the creation of such a parallel world. The company even changed its name in passing to adopt that of Meta and better mark its intention to develop an environment which would be the future of socialization on the Internet. Zuckerberg described the metaverse thus: Here you can do almost anything you can imagine – gather with friends and family, work, learn, play, shop, create. »

It should be noted that Mark Zuckerberg distanced himself from the vision developed by Neil Stephenson in Snow Crash: “ In this book, the environment is rather negative. I don’t think it will turn out like this… For Zuckerberg, the metaverse appears as a natural evolution of Facebook, with the same vocation of bringing people together. We could, to this extent, assimilate the metaverse to a social network of another dimension, insofar as one can wander there at will, meet people and interact (indulge in a game of ping-pong) , visit places…

What defines a metaverse

Three points seem essential with regard to participation in a metaverse.

1. Immersion

Mark Zuckerberg made it clear: It will be necessary for users to feel immersed in this universe. So then, you find yourself in this universe as soon as you enter it. All the reality perceived and heard during this experience is that of the metaverse. You can touch things and feel them.

To this extent, we could liken the metaverse to an experience of virtual reality which would be deployed on a very large scale. As a reminder, the virtual reality consists in defining an artificial environment, entirely created from synthetic images. So in a game like Indiana Jones – Eye of the Temple, a whole universe specific to this saga has been created. After putting on a helmet such as theOculus Rift, HTC Vive or even the Valve Indexthe player must find the exit of a temple full of traps.

2. An open and permanent world

Anyone should be able to join the metaverse at any time, and also leave it instantly. And in this world, we have our avatar which can be a reproduction of ourselves or an artificial character that we embody. It is through this avatar that one engages in competitions, training activities or even work.

3. Durable elements

The house in which you live, the streets you walk through in your favorite neighborhood, the objects you own, all of this is there permanently. Thanks to NFTs, you can have unique elements such as works of art displayed in your living room, a particular vehicle, armor that can be used in video games, etc.

It’s likely that there will also be pre-programmed characters in the metaverse that take on certain social functions much like a real-life information booth.

What accessories for a metaverse?

Participation in a metaverse will require the acquisition and use of certain equipment or real and virtual objects:

• A helmet of virtual reality. This accessory is essential to induce the famous feeling of immersion mentioned above. Oculus (which belongs to Facebook/Meta), Sony and HTC are among the suppliers of such equipment. Ideally, such a helmet should be replaced by glasses that are easy to put on and capable of instantly immersing us in the metaverse. Some have even mentioned neural interfaces, but it is unlikely that such intrusive equipment will ever be spontaneously adopted by a majority of the population.
• From sensors high-resolution touch screens, capable of replicating the sense of touch in this virtual world. One could also consider combinations capable of transmitting tactile sensations in the major parts of the body.
• Custom clothing, accessories or homes. The enthusiasm of several luxury brands for NFTs goes in this direction. A platform such as Exclusible offers creators of jewelry, fashion, beauty products and other luxury accessories the opportunity to produce NFTs.
• A parallel currency, and therefore a cryptocurrency as found in The Sandbox Where Axie Infinity with which we can buy and resell the objects of the game. play to earn (playing to win) are called upon to develop.

Who builds metaverses?

In addition to Facebook, some of the major companies active in creating metaverses include:

• Epic Games, the creator of the ultra-popular Fortnite, which raised $1 billion in April 2021 and intends to invest primarily in transforming this game into a metaverse;
• Roblox, another publisher, which intends to evolve its online game in a way that facilitates relationships similar to those we have in real life;
• the OVR platform that covers the entire globe: you can buy land, build buildings, create online events…
• startup Magic Leap, which is building an alternate reality platform and has hired Neil Stephenson as its chief visionary;
• Microsoft. The Windows publisher wants to adapt its application of videoconference Teams in order to make it a metaverse, dedicated primarily to the business world;
• In November 2021, Disney announced joining the movement without giving details of its technological approach.

A combination of high technologies

Metaverse visionaries usually point us to many years in the future, as many existing technologies would need to be mature before such a parallel universe could be deployed. If visualization accessories and touch systems are part of it, so is everything from the top. debit. In addition to fiber optics, 5G and perhaps even 6G are essential ingredients of such a equation.

Regarding the integration of the metaverse in our model of civilization, we can raise many questions. For the lands where the metaverse will flourish, what can we expect? An artificial paradise allowing to escape from a real world rather than to face its problems? A tool for individual liberation or enslavement? An ecological disaster linked to the computing power underlying such a system? It also remains to be seen whether dictatorial regimes will ever allow access to a metaverse where everyone is free to act and express themselves as they wish.