The Metaverse landscape has progressed significantly.
With advancements in augmented and virtual reality enabling more immersive experiences, and blockchain technology allowing for decentralised ownership of virtual assets.
Examples of companies embracing Metaverse features include Roblox, Minecraft, Decentraland, Facebook, and Fortnite. These platforms exhibit features of a Metaverse, such as shared virtual spaces, immersive experiences, and real-time user engagement, but differ in the extent of their integration and interconnectedness.
Metaverse and the Multiverse are related concepts, but they are not exactly the same thing. Here's a brief overview of the two:
In other words, the Metaverse is a single virtual world that exists independently of any individual user or platform, while the Multiverse is a collection of interconnected virtual worlds that may be hosted on different platforms and accessed by different user communities.
It's worth noting that some people use the terms "Metaverse" and "Multiverse" interchangeably, or use one term to refer to a specific implementation of the other concept. However, in general, the two terms do have slightly different meanings and implications.
Since the most recent wave of metaverse hype began, the landscape has progressed significantly. Several enviable works have emerged, such as Decentraland, a blockchain-based virtual world that enables users to own and develop virtual real estate. Other notable projects include Roblox, Fornite, and Minecraft, which have all seen massive user growth in recent years.
In terms of new technology, advancements in augmented and virtual reality have enabled more immersive experiences, while blockchain technology has allowed for decentralised ownership of virtual assets. Surprising use cases have also emerged, such as virtual fashion shows, concerts, and conferences, which have been embraced by large audiences.
Roblox is a virtual world considered by many to be a Metaverse, users can create their own 3D environments using Lua programming language and can interact with others through chat, friends lists, and group activities. The virtual currency, Robux, allows players to purchase and sell virtual items and incentivises them to create high-quality experiences and content. Roblox’s accessibility across multiple platforms allows for a broad and diverse user base to participate in the virtual world.
Minecraft is often considered a precursor to the Metaverse, rather than a full-fledged Metaverse itself. However, it does share some similarities and characteristics with the concept of the Metaverse.
It is important to note that Minecraft does not have all of the characteristics of a true Metaverse, such as a unified virtual world that spans multiple platforms and devices, a persistent economy, and advanced artificial intelligence. Nonetheless, it remains a beloved and influential game that has paved the way for other virtual worlds and the Metaverse as a whole.
Facebook is actively working on building a metaverse, which it describes as "a virtual environment where people can be present with each other in a more immersive way." The company has not yet released a fully functional metaverse, but it has taken several steps towards building one.
Decentraland is a virtual reality platform built on blockchain technology that allows users to create, experience, and monetise their own 3D content and applications. It is often referred to as a Metaverse project because it aims to create a shared virtual world where users can interact with each other in a variety of ways.
Fortnite is often referred to as a metaverse because it has some features that are similar to those found in a metaverse. Specifically, Fortnite is a multiplayer online video game that allows players to enter a shared virtual world where they can interact with each other and explore a variety of user-generated content.
Roblox, Minecraft, Decentraland, Facebook, and Fortnite are all examples of platforms that exhibit features of a Metaverse, such as shared virtual spaces, immersive experiences, and real-time user engagement. However, they also differ in the extent of their integration and interconnectedness. Some of them may function as a single virtual world, while others may be part of a larger Multiverse, consisting of interconnected virtual worlds.