Metaverse is a digital virtual space. However, its definition has not yet been established and it is a developing concept. The Metaverse is attracting attention as a new economic zone due to the use of NFTs, etc., and various companies are beginning to enter the market in search of possibilities that are not limited to the entertainment field. This time, we will focus on the use cases and points of interest of the Metaverse.
Meaning and Definition of Metaverse
Metaverse is a term that describes a three-dimensional virtual space on the Internet. The word “Metaverse” is a combination of “meta” meaning “transcendence” and “universe” meaning “world” and “universe” .
That said, the metaverse concept is still vague and lacks an established definition. But what we call the metaverse tends to be one of the following:
・It is possible to communicate with people in real time and in the same space via the Internet. ・It has
its own economic zone
.
Also, VR goggles are required to enter the 3D digital space in the Metaverse.
★Summary
・The Metaverse is a 3D virtual space connected to the Internet
・The concept of the Metaverse and the definition of words are still under development
・You often need VR goggles to experience the Metaverse
Why the Metaverse is attracting attention
The metaverse is not an entirely new concept. For example, Secound Life , a pioneer of the Metaverse, appeared in 2006 and made a splash in the world.
It can be said that the reason why the Metaverse has been attracting attention again from the latter half of 2021 is largely due to the change in Facebook’s corporate name .
Facebook has announced that it will change its name to ‘Meta’ in October 2021 in order to transform from an SNS company to a Metaverse company. In this matter, the term Metaverse suddenly gains citizenship.
In addition, NFTs have made it possible to add value to digital data, making it possible to buy and sell data within the Metaverse, creating a unique economic zone in the Metaverse . As a result, the number of companies aiming to create new opportunities has increased, and the Metaverse is attracting attention.
Relevance to AR/VR
When you hear the word “virtual space,” some people may think of AR or VR. Below, I will explain the relationship between AR/VR and the Metaverse.
What is AR?・Relationship between AR and Metaverse
AR is an abbreviation for “Augmented Reality” and is a technology that displays digital data in the real world through devices.
Metaverse is a “virtual space on the Internet”, so it tends to be talked about as something completely different from AR, which is based on the real world .
On the other hand, the development of the “AR Metaverse” is currently underway, and Niantic, the developer of Pokemon GO, has set up a “real world metaverse” to bring the metaverse to the real world. The AR metaverse is a different concept than the metaverse explained in this article, but it is worth noting that AR is also being developed as a metaverse in a broad sense.
What is VR?・Relationship between VR and Metaverse
VR is an abbreviation for “Virtual Reality” and refers to a three-dimensional digital space. VR has a very high affinity with the Metaverse, and is often talked about while the distinction between the two is ambiguous.
VR goggles are sometimes used to experience the Metaverse. Therefore, the virtual space is sometimes called “metaverse”, and the means and method for accessing it are sometimes called “VR” . Also, a closed space where one person can play like PlayStation 4 is called VR, and a game that connects with multiple people on the Internet and has economic activities is sometimes called Metaverse.
In any case, a clear distinction between VR and the Metaverse has not yet been established.
Relevance to blockchain
Blockchain is also a very important element when talking about the Metaverse. It is no exaggeration to say that blockchain technology has attracted attention to the Metaverse, and it is indispensable when talking about the Metaverse .
Below, I will explain the relationship between blockchain and the metaverse.
What is blockchain
Blockchain is the database technology used for cryptocurrencies. Blockchain is also called a “distributed ledger” because one piece of data is managed in multiple places, making it extremely difficult to falsify data.
“Data falsification is almost impossible”, in other words, blockchain has made it possible to prove that data is “unique” .
And this uniqueness came to create value in digital data. Metaverse is beginning to be used as a place to buy and sell this valuable digital data . For example, in-game avatars and items, land in the metaverse, etc. are actually traded as data with asset value.
“NFT” is creating new business
“NFT (Non-Fungible Token)” uses the function of blockchain to prove that data is unique. value has come to be born.
Digital art data ownership is being bought and sold as “NFT art”, and NFT art by Japanese VR artist Aimi Sekiguchi was sold for about 13 million yen. There are NFT arts that are traded at high prices like this, and they are also attracting attention as investment products .
Metaverse usage example
game
The introduction of the metaverse is progressing in games. For example, in a broad sense, the Metaverse also includes “ Gathering His Animal Crossing ” from Japan.
“Atsume Animal Crossing” refers to accessing the in-game world as “migration”. Unlike conventional games, the game does not proceed according to a pre-prepared scenario, but instead allows players to enjoy the virtual world through interaction with others .
“ Decentraland ” is a metaverse platform using blockchain. You can buy and sell land in the Metaverse with virtual currency, hold events on your own land, sell applications, participate in festivals using avatars, etc., and you can experience very close to the real world.
online meeting
Source: https://about.fb.com/ja/news/2021/08/horizon-workrooms/
The Metaverse is a three-dimensional virtual space that can be freed from physical limitations. Focusing on that point, Meta has developed Horizon Workrooms , which allows virtual meetings .
Unlike video conferencing systems such as Zoom, it is a platform that allows you to hold meetings while sharing the same space with multiple people by wearing VR goggles.
Through avatars, there is a sense of realism as if the other party is right in front of you, so expectations are gathering that it will remove the barriers to communication due to remote work .
You can also write on the whiteboard in the space and customize the space itself, giving you the experience of sharing an office with someone far away.
How to start the metaverse
So how does the metaverse get started? I will explain how the introduction and utilization are progressing.
Widespread use mainly in the entertainment field
The use of the Metaverse is expanding, mainly in the entertainment field, and the number of companies providing the ” Metaverse Platform ” is increasing.
For example, in ” cluster “, which aims to be the “most accessible metaverse”, you can create your own world and go to other people’s worlds. The number of users is steadily increasing, with local governments creating worlds in the Metaverse and VTubers holding live performances.
Metaverse platforms like cluster are increasing in Japan. These are currently independent of each other, but in the future they are expected to be compatible with each other and become one big world connected by the digital world .
Issues still remain in legislation
Metaverse is just a virtual space. Although virtual currency transactions are linked to the real world, the current situation is that the legal framework for commercial transactions in virtual space has not caught up . This is because under current law, the subject of ownership is limited to physical objects.
In other words, even if avatars, lands, etc. are stolen in the Metaverse, it cannot be cracked down. On the other hand, there are also voices of concern that if the responsibility to the operating company of Metaverse is too heavy, it may pinch the buds of new businesses.
In any case, there is a demand for the development of laws that correspond to virtual spaces.
summary
Metaverse is a three-dimensional virtual space, and it can also refer to something that has an economic zone based on blockchain. However, keep in mind that the metaverse is currently used in many different ways, as it is not yet an established concept.
The Metaverse is used primarily in the entertainment industry and has begun to be introduced in the business scene as well. Please pay attention to how the Metaverse evolves in the future.
