Metaverse 101: All You Need to Know About This Virtual Space

Contrary to the common misconception, the idea of a metaverse is not exclusive to Facebook/Meta. Rather, the metaverse represents the vision of multiple tech giants as they attempt to propel us to a new phase of interacting with the digital world and each other—all connected by fast internet connections, like the ones provided by PLDT Home.

So what exactly is a metaverse, how does it work, and which companies are leading the charge in its development?

Understanding the metaverse

The metaverse, as a concept, has its roots in science fiction. Coined by writer Neal Stephenson in his 1992 novel "Snow Crash," the term referred to a virtual shared space where users interacted as avatars. This vision laid the groundwork for what we now refer to as the metaverse. Fast forward to the present day, and it has become a tangible goal in the world of technology.

A metaverse is said to be a collective virtual space that integrates various digital platforms, environments, and experiences. Unlike traditional online spaces, which are often isolated and disjointed, the metaverse aims to create a cohesive, interconnected digital world. It’s a space where users can interact with others and their digital surroundings in more imaginative ways with the help of Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) technologies.

The mechanics of a metaverse

Users typically access a metaverse through VR headsets or AR glasses, but not exclusively. There are metaverses that can be accessed by traditional computers too. Video games such as Fortnite have held virtual concerts inside the game, while Roblox has created a hub to connect to multiple virtual worlds, all without having to use VR/AR headsets. What constitutes a metaverse isn’t dictated by the technology to access it, but what users can do once they have access.

Most metaverses available today have these key components:

• Interconnected virtual worlds. Users can interact within fully immersive digital realities for entertainment or socialization. Most importantly, these virtual worlds are interconnected and can be accessed seamlessly without having to change accounts or avatars.
• Customizable avatars. Similar to life simulation games, anyone can create a digital representation of themselves, which is the visual representation of them interacting with the world.
• Digital economies. Just like in the real world, metaverses have their own economy where players can buy, sell, and trade digital assets that the program allows.
• User-generated content. A crucial aspect of any metaverse is allowing its users to create their own virtual spaces, objects, and experiences.

What to expect for metaverses

Although many of the biggest tech companies have shifted their focus from developing their own metaverse to developing AI, the possibility of the concept’s resurgence may come if Apple’s Vision Pro VR/AR headset is successful and revolutionizes the space. Though Apple hasn’t mentioned that they will develop their own metaverse, the Vision Pro may fix one issue that most metaverse developers faced—accessibility.

Most developers are creating metaverses with the goal of having VR and AR as the technology used to interact with it. This creates a bottleneck on who can access their metaverse, as most VR and AR headsets are of a higher price point and offer limited uses in comparison to a modern smartphone or computer. However, with the Apple Vision Pro planned to be a standalone computer in its own right, it may result in a bigger market that gives developers the incentive to continue developing their metaverse. We can only patiently wait for what’s in store in this tech space.

Check out the metaverse with PLDT Home

Now that you have a better idea about metaverses, you’ll soon be able to check them out for yourself! Subscribe to PLDT Home, the Philippines’ undisputed fastest Internet for five years running, and enjoy exploring the metaverse today!