You may live in this world, but it will soon be overrun by others (no, we’re not talking about Mars, sorry Elon). How To Enter The Metaverse, the year’s hottest topic. The word crept into our lives sometime this year, sometime between the third and whatever pandemic wave we’re currently in – and it won’t let go.
The typical suspects (read: Facebook/Meta, Microsoft, and the entire Silicon Valley set) are lining up for a piece of the action, but smaller firms are also getting in on the act. But what is the big deal about the metaverse? What does this have to do with blockchain, NFTs, or living on the internet 24 hours a day, 7 days a week? Let’s get started because there’s a lot to unpack.
What Is This ‘Metaverse’?
To begin with, defining the metaverse is a difficult task. We may all agree that there’s been a lot of yada yada, but would you be able to describe what a metaverse is to your grandfather over a Sunday roast? It’s a little perplexing because we’re talking about something that doesn’t exist yet. Let’s keep it simple: a metaverse is a shared virtual realm that uses augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies to create a hyper-realistic, immersive, and interactive experience.
Within a metaverse, there may be multiple virtual worlds where people can participate in a variety of activities that are a blend of physical and digital. Instead of staring at a screen as you do now, you’ll be able to immerse yourself in all of your online activities, such as shopping, visiting friends and family, attending a performance, and even completing formal paperwork.
The metaverse provides a lot of advantages above what you’re getting now for your screen time (have you been doing a lot of that lately? It all boils down to combining your day-to-day activities into a highly dynamic platform that allows you to get more done in one location (we’re guilty of it, too).
This concept has been around for a long time, at least since Neal Stephenson invented the word metaverse in his dystopian novel ‘Snow Crash,’ published in 1992. (to be fair, he has distanced himself from any metaverse plans). Many of us have seen meta-references in modern cultures, such as in The Matrix, Ready Player One, or Tron, so the fundamentals of the concept aren’t so foreign.
In the spirit of going over the fundamentals, here’s a rundown of some of the characteristics that define a metaverse:
BOUNDLESS
As a 3D virtual space, the metaverse removes all physical and virtual barriers. It’s an infinite space with no restrictions on the number of people who can use it at the same time, the types of activities that can take place, the industries that can enter it, and so on. It has a greater range of accessibility than contemporary internet platforms.
PERSISTENT
A metaverse cannot be disconnected, rebooted, or reset. Users can use it at any time and from anywhere in the world, ensuring that their experience is always consistent. A metaverse will evolve over time as a result of its users’ shared contributions, such as the content and experiences they create.
DECENTRALIZED
The metaverse is owned by all of its users, not by a corporation or a single platform. Users can also take control of their personal data. Blockchain technology is an important aspect of this (more on that later) because it assures that all transactions in a virtual environment are public, easily traceable, and secure at all times.
IMMERSIVE
Whether you’re using a VR headset, AR glasses, or just your smartphone, you’ll be able to experience a new level of immersion and interactivity in which all of the human senses are more completely engaged and people feel more present in their experiences. The metaverse, being a highly realistic setting, will be able to adapt to its users, who will have direct control over things like environments, items, colors, lighting, and more.
VIRTUAL ECONOMIES
Metaverse users can participate in decentralized virtual economies that are supported by cryptocurrency (such as Sensorium Galaxy’s own SENSO). This comprises digital assets such as avatars, virtual apparel, NFTs, and event tickets, as well as marketplaces where users may buy, sell, and trade them.
SOCIAL EXPERIENCES
The metaverse’s beating heart is made up of its users. Through user-generated material, such as virtual creations, personal tales, and interactions with AI-driven avatars, every member in a virtual world participates in co-experiences and helps co-create the metaverse’s future.
In fact, before Facebook’s recent Meta rebranding, metaverse-like experiences existed. Earlier iterations can be found in games like Second Life and The Sims, in which users have complete control over their online avatars’ lives. Even as early as 2009, Facebook was experimenting with pre-metaverse concepts like Farmville, a game that allowed players to manage virtual farms and sell their goods in exchange for Farm Coins. While these platforms feature some metaverse components, they are still isolated events with little consequence outside of their native platform.
A true metaverse is a continuous experience that combines components from several media and audiences. What else can make the metaverse tick now that we’ve locked down this part?
The metaverse revolves around cryptocurrency |
In the metaverse, anything can happen. And we mean anything since no one knows what the future contains in part. For the time being, gaming and entertainment are leading the race since they have the most built infrastructures that can be adopted and evolved in a virtual environment. Their virtual economies are a major contributing role in this. Take a look at Roblox, Axie Infinity, or Fornite, for example.
These metaverse-like platforms have been extremely popular, not only because of their entertainment services, but also because of their blooming marketplaces, where users can buy, sell, or swap products for native tokens such as V-Bucks or AXS. To develop new assets (like NFTs), experiences, and activities, all of these digital-native environments rely on a vibrant virtual economy, which has helped establish the groundwork for metaverse economics.
There’s no point in living in a metaverse if the economy can’t sustain the users’ activities (and financial objectives). As a result, producing monetizable value is an essential component of any virtual world. Remember that the metaverse can be used for a variety of activities, and users need a compelling reason to want to enter and stay there. The real-world economics that speaks to any of us are competition, scarcity, supply, and demand.
All assets within the metaverse can be simply and securely manufactured, exchanged, shared, and monitored with blockchain-based currencies, potentially allowing objects to be smoothly moved by its users across worlds or meta locations. One SENSO token, for example, is worth $10 per unit in Sensorium Galaxy.
This rate applies to people who purchase SENSO using standard fiat currency. However, SENSO is also sold on crypto exchanges, with a price of slightly more than $2.5 at the time of writing, implying that purchasing SENSO on the open market can provide users with a dynamic discount.
Buckle up, because we’re about to get meta.
So you’ve chosen to take the red pill to see how far down the metaverse rabbit hole you can travel. So, what’s next? To begin, you’ll require hardware. The good news is that you don’t need to go out and spend a lot of money on expensive high-tech equipment.
To enter a metaverse, all you need is a smartphone, and Sensorium Galaxy’s mobile app, for example, has plenty of meta-features. The one caveat is that you might not receive much of a meta experience after all, as you’ll be missing out on the metaverse’s immersiveness, which is what makes it all so wonderful.
A phone is fine for a sneak to peek, but if you want the whole experience, you should invest in a VR headset or, if you don’t want to go that far, a pair of AR smart glasses. When it comes to deciding how to enter a metaverse, there are numerous factors to consider. Choosing the correct VR headset is one of the most critical things that will determine whether or not you have a good time. We’ve put together a guide on the subject to help you get started.
The advantage of using a VR headset over other forms of media is that you may fully immerse yourself in the metaverse and get a genuine sense of presence. You’ll be able to converse with others through your selected avatar and activate all of your senses, depending on the headset you have.
When it comes to headgear, Meta (previously Facebook) is far ahead of the pack, with the Meta Quest 2 headset remaining the most popular, followed by Playstation VR and Valve Index. VR headset demand has increased in recent years, but it is expected to increase even more in the future, thanks to all the buzz about the metaverse. Apple is said to be joining this hotly contested race.
When will you enter the metaverse…?
A full-fledged metaverse could take years, if not a decade, to develop. There are still many technical obstacles to overcome, starting with the fact that the globe lacks an online infrastructure capable of supporting millions (or possibly billions) of individuals simultaneously using the metaverse.
Furthermore, an uninterrupted and dependable internet connection is a critical component of the metaverse, like a glitchy, ‘loading’ virtual world situation is a far cry from what a true metaverse should resemble. However, technology such as 5G and edge computing is still in the early stages of development and is now unable to match the demands of a sophisticated infrastructure such as the metaverse.
There are also other concerns about data security and privacy. Only time will tell when entering the first true metaverse becomes a reality – but when it does, we’ll be there to greet you.
Decentraland allows users to create an avatar to enter the metaverse.
Decentraland is a platform for virtual worlds. It’s one of the more easy methods of entering the metaverse. Decentraland allows those interested in creating their own avatar to do so on its website.
Users should be aware that in order to fully access the Decentraland metaverse, they must first download and connect to the metamask extension browser. Once joined, users can explore the Decentraland metaverse and track its progress as additional entities buy land and construct structures.
The Sandbox metaverse allows users to create, develop, and play.
Meanwhile, one of the most popular decentralized metaverse games is The Sandbox. It enables users to construct, build, and commercialize virtual worlds in the digital realm.
Adidas recently purchased territory on The Sandbox for its Adi-verse metaverse. Adidas is preparing for Web 3.0 by partnering with famous NFT collections such as Punk Comic MetaHeroes, Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC), and investor GMoney, as well as a less-than-casual partnership with Coinbase.
The #SandboxAlpha is LIVE!
Create your Avatar, Download the Game & Enter the #Metaverse! 👑
Discover experiences and #Play2Earn 1,000 $SAND + 3 #NFTs! 🎮
👉 https://t.co/Tgvzakp0NH 👈 pic.twitter.com/oSAEaJwWb9
— The Sandbox (@TheSandboxGame) November 30, 2021
Individuals interested in learning more about the metaverse can visit the website’s “Alpha” tab for daily updates on games that users can play for a chance to win SAND, the game’s native token. The Sandbox also includes instructions and allows users to construct their own demo games for free.
The simplest straightforward way to join the metaverse is to own land in it
While there are a variety of ways for people to join and gain access to the metaverse, the most direct option is to invest in metaverse land. Although not for the typical investor, owning a plot or estate in the metaverse is a sure way to gain access to it.
How to buy real estate in the Metaverse in 2022
Many people are thinking about buying digital property as a long-term investment. The value of Metaverse coins has skyrocketed. As a result, owning real estate in metaverse games may be profitable in terms of prospective return on investment.
The Sandbox, Decentraland, and Crytpovoxels are three popular metaverse regions for sale. All of these can be found on OpenSea.
Because the metaverse is designed to be interoperable, or open, the technology is also accessible to those who cannot afford to invest in it.
Anyone who is eager and curious enough to enter a true metaverse can do so.
