THE METAVERSE is constantly evolving and although it’ll take years to develop, it’s possible to get a flavour of what it will look like right now.
This latest tech buzz has got the usual suspects in Facebook now Meta and Microsoft entering the space but startups and smaller players are also making a move, too.
Here’s how you can get involved.
But first, what is the metaverse?
To keep it simple; a metaverse is a shared virtual space that is realistic, immersive and interactive thanks to augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR).
Instead of staring at a screen like you’re doing now, in a metaverse you’ll be able to be there, virtually, shopping, meeting friends, family and work colleagues and even going to a concert.
Neal Stephenson first coined the term metaverse in his 1992 dystopian novel ‘Snow Crash’ and metaverse-like experiences have existed before Facebook’s recent Meta rebranding.
Second Life founded in 2003 and The Sims founded in 2000 are forms of metaverses, where users are in control of their online avatars.
Facebook was even dabbling in some pre-metaverse experiments like Farmville, a game that lets participants run their virtual farms and sell their produce in return for Farm Coins, in 2009.
A true metaverse is a continuous experience, bringing together elements from different platforms and audiences into one.
For now, gaming and entertainment are at the forefront of the race as they have the most developed infrastructures.
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Here’s how to enter the metaverse
Decentraland
Decentraland is a 3D virtual world built on the Ethereum blockchain and governed by a decentralised autonomous organisation (DAO).
Users can buy virtual plots of land and are held and owned as NFTs.
You can build and develop on your land.
Decentraland is a browser-based game, so you need access to a web browser to play.
Oculus
Oculus is currently the most immersive metaverse.
Facebook’s Oculus Quest 2 is the latest headset from the company and lets you glimpse into the future.
A headset will set you back $299.
The virtual reality headset means you’re totally immersed in the computer-generated world.
Through the core Oculus home experience, you can navigate a host of VR apps and games.
This includes popular dance games like Beat Saber, Facebook’s Horizon, and entertainment such as Netflix.
Most of these experiences can be enjoyed with friends.
Facebook has even developed Horizon Workrooms to let you work with colleagues in virtual spaces.
Roblox
Roblox is a metaverse-style game where nearly 50 million active daily users all play in the same virtual worlds.
Roblox lets you create your own worlds and games, and allows other users to enter them.
You can play Roblox on Xbox One, Windows, macOS, iOS and Android.
Minecraft
Minecraft gamers can create their own virtual universes.
And because it’s multiplayer, strangers and friends can connect virtually.
You can play Minecraft on Windows, macOS and Linux.
Fortnite
As well as being a shooter game what makes Fortnite metaverse-esque is it also hosts giant global experiences.
Fortnite has hosted live music, art and even movies that can be enjoyed together in a virtual world.
Most of the metaverse will be built around these shared experiences.
Fortnite is available on Android, Windows, macOS, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X / S, PS4, PS5 and Xbox One.
