A lot has been said about the metaverse in the last few months, with Facebook’s name change triggering most of those discussions. But Facebook (or “Meta”, as they will henceforth be known) didn’t invent the metaverse and won’t be the only one using it.
It’s something that could have a big impact on the gaming industry, and that’s true whether you’re partaking in a little NJ online gambling or playing a AAA title.
It Can Host Real Events
The metaverse is not just something for the future. It’s an idea that is already being implemented.
The metaverse is simply a virtual reality space in which real people can meet, converse, shop, and live their lives. In a way, games like Fortnite have been tapping into the idea of a metaverse for years.
In Fortnite, you create an avatar, play games, meet people, and spend virtual coins. It also showcases real-time, real-world events and has even hosted concerts with stars like Ariana Grande.
Second Life works in a similar way and has been around a lot longer. As the name suggests, Second Life invites people to live an alternative life in a virtual space. People have met and fallen in love through the game and they have also staged virtual marriages to which all of their in-game friends were invited.
Vast User-Generated Worlds
It’s highly unlikely that any of us will live to see a time when a AAA publisher creates a game that is a vast, intricate, and accurate simulation for ancient Greece, Egypt, or Rome. Firstly, it’s not a very commercial idea. Secondly, it takes a lot of time and money and as most gamers are happy with limited worlds and procedurally generated environments, it’s unnecessary.
But what if you get 1 million history buffs together and give them the tools to create?
As we have seen with games like Minecraft, Roblox, The Sandbox, and even the amazing mods found on PC games like Skyrim and Total War, there is no limit to what individuals can do.
The metaverse could give these players the means to create together, allowing them to build vast, exciting, and detailed worlds that all of us can explore with virtual reality headsets.
The idea is no longer in the realms of science fiction and we could be there within a decade.
You Can Attend Events Using an Avatar
It’s Comic-Con time and you’re ill. You just tested positive for the dreaded virus and so you’ll have to miss it and wait for next year.
But what if you could attend from the comfort of your own home?
The metaverse is not just about gaming. Companies are already looking at ways that they can use it to simulate large-scale events and even guide you around virtual shopping centers. After all, if they can host an event that millions of people can attend and there’s no need to rent a physical location, event planners could make millions.
It’s an idea that will be driven by commercial gain, but that’s a good thing, as nothing advances technology faster than the thought of making money.