Glossary What is the Metaverse?
By null / 1 Jan 2023 / Topics: Virtual Reality (VR)
The metaverse is an interactive, 3D digital environment where users can communicate and engage with the space as though they were physically present. Users access the metaverse using a variety of immersive technologies, including virtual reality and augmented reality headsets, PCs, and video game consoles.
This technology can be used to improve communication between people located anywhere for social, educational and business activities. The term was coined in the 1992 novel Snow Crash1 where characters accessed and interacted with one another through a digital environment. Metaverses have been a common motif in science fiction media. Video games like Fortnite, Minecraft and Roblox have been categorized as metaverses.
The metaverse has grown in maturity as powerful computer processors and virtual reality headsets became more advanced and accessible. The social media platform Facebook invests resources heavily into its own metaverse, and changed its company name to Meta.
The metaverse offers many opportunities for businesses to offer new products and experiences to customers. Additionally, employees can use the metaverse to communicate and share information digitally and can be a helpful way to connect remote teammates — helping increase engagement.
Some potential use cases for the metaverse include:
- Demonstrating what a physical space could look like before it’s built
- Hosting entertainment experiences like concerts and social gatherings
- Providing a sandbox to learn and create new things
- Supporting collaboration between remote teams in a business environment
Learn more about the metaverse
1 Zenou, T. (2022, Jun. 30) A novel predicted the metaverse (and hyperinflation) 30 years ago. Washington Post.
