Metaverse: Why do corporations create virtual worlds?

Contents:

• The origin of the metaverse concept and its main aspects
• Who is developing metaverses?
• The metaverse: reality or just a trend?
• Metaverses: will IT giants repeat the mistakes of the past?
• The impact of metaverses on the future: challenges and prospects
• When can we expect full-fledged metaverses?

The Origin of the Metaverse Concept and Its Main Aspects

The idea of ​​the metaverse is not an innovation created by tech giants. This concept was first proposed by science fiction writers. One of the first to coin this term was Neal Stephenson in his famous cyberpunk novel Snow Crash, published in 1992. This work describes a world in which virtual reality is controlled by large corporations. Stephenson presents the metaverse as an evolution of the internet, allowing users to connect as avatars and interact as they would in the real world. However, in the metaverse, social roles can vary significantly: for example, in a virtual environment, one person may act as a tycoon, while in real life, he is a simple worker. The metaverse opens up new horizons for self-expression and interaction, creating unique opportunities for users.

Ideas about virtual worlds and gaming culture are reflected in various works of fiction. One striking example is Ernest Cline's novel Ready Player One. In 2018, the novel was successfully adapted into a film of the same name. In his work, Cline deeply explores the concept of virtual realities, creating a captivating world where games, technology, and culture intersect. This novel became a significant contribution to the science fiction genre and continues to inspire both readers and viewers, highlighting the importance of gamer culture in modern society.

Inspired by With the concept of "Avalanche," developers began incorporating metaverse ideas into video games. In 2003, the Second Life simulator was launched, allowing users to communicate, participate in activities, and exchange virtual items. With the advancement of technology in the 2010s, VR platforms such as VRChat emerged, enabling the creation and interaction of individual 3D worlds. Modern metaverse prototypes combine the functions of social networks and virtual reality, but they have yet to reach the ideal described by Stevenson, both technologically and ideologically. Metaverses continue to evolve, bringing new opportunities for users and expanding the boundaries of virtual interaction. Vladimir Stepankov, a leading expert at the Agency for Artificial Intelligence, argues that the metaverse is an extension of reality created using digital technologies. He emphasizes that the interfaces that allow users to interact with virtual worlds resemble familiar methods of communication in real life. The metaverse opens up new possibilities for interaction—for example, visiting a shopping mall or virtual store without leaving home. Users can view 3D models of products and try them on with their digital counterparts. They can also gather with friends in a virtual space designed to resemble their favorite restaurant. Stepankov emphasizes that such opportunities make the metaverse attractive to users seeking new forms of communication and shopping.

Who is developing metaverses?

Since the concept of metaverses began to gain traction in 2021, many leading tech companies have begun implementing their projects in this innovative field. In July 2021, Facebook announced the creation of a dedicated team within Facebook Reality Labs focused on developing virtual and augmented reality technologies. The company's vice president, Andrew Bosworth, noted that metaverse users will be able to experience the sensation of each other's physical presence, transcending the limitations of the physical world. This initiative underscores the companies' commitment to creating a deeper and more interactive digital space that changes how we understand communication and interaction online.

In October 2021, Facebook changed its name to Meta to highlight its ambitious plans to create a new digital reality—the metaverse. Despite the renaming, Meta will continue to develop its existing platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. However, the company's primary focus will be on creating a metaverse where users can interact in a new format. According to The Verge, approximately 10,000 Meta employees are involved in the development of this digital space. The company's founder, Mark Zuckerberg, noted that content in the metaverse will be presented in the form of holograms and avatars, and users will be able to create and develop their own projects without being tied to specific social networks. In the coming years, Meta plans to introduce new devices, including the Project Cambria headset and Project Nazaré augmented reality glasses, which will further enhance users' immersion in the metaverse.

Meta is not the only company developing metaverses. There are other significant players in the market that are actively working on creating unique virtual spaces and technologies. These companies are contributing to the development of the metaverse concept by offering a variety of solutions and platforms for users. Competition in this field is driving rapid progress and the implementation of new ideas, making the metaverse market more dynamic and exciting for researchers and investors.

• In the spring of 2021, Epic Games, known for its game Fortnite, raised $1 billion to develop its metaverse concept. Company founder Tim Sweeney asserts that this digital world will become a shared space for users, creators, and brands, allowing them to interact and respond to events. Sweeney also noted that implementing this idea will require a new programming model that has not yet been developed.
• In May 2021, Microsoft announced its metaverse concept. CEO Satya Nadella said that implementation is planned on the Azure cloud platform. The first step was taken in March, when the Mesh platform was presented, allowing users to interact in mixed reality via VR glasses, smartphones, computers, and the HoloLens 2 AR headset.

Metaverse: Reality or Just a Trend?

With the rapid development of augmented reality technologies, many experts, including Roman Dushkin, head of the VIRperson project, express doubts about the true potential of metaverses. He argues that existing initiatives are more reminiscent of marketing strategies than real achievements in this field. Mick Weissman, CEO of Trinity Monsters, also emphasizes that discussions around the metaverse are often based on hype rather than real technologies and solutions.

Pavel Voropaev, head of the VOVA digital agency, emphasizes that metaverses are not the future, but an existing reality. In popular games such as World of Warcraft and Minecraft, players create communities and actively interact with each other. They purchase virtual goods, the value of which sometimes exceeds the prices of real assets such as cars or apartments. Voropaev also notes that developers are striving to create more advanced and technologically advanced interfaces that resemble the worlds described in the film "Ready Player One." The development of metaverses opens new horizons for business, offering unique opportunities for interaction and monetization in the digital space.

Vladimir Stepankov, chief expert at the Artificial Intelligence Agency, confirms this point of view. He emphasizes that the concept of virtual workspaces is not new and began to take shape even before the COVID-19 pandemic, which only accelerated its development. Successful gaming platforms are already attracting millions of users of various ages and social groups, indicating growing interest in such interaction formats. Virtual workspaces open up new opportunities for business and education, integrating technologies and creating unique conditions for collaboration.

Many users spend a lot of time in virtual worlds, and their interest often lies not only in the gameplay, but also in the opportunity to communicate with friends and make new acquaintances. This underscores the importance of the social component in online games and virtual spaces.

Anton Gorodetsky, head of the Player One media project, argues that the development of metaverses is a natural stage in the evolution of the internet. He notes that the creation of virtual worlds is a step toward visualizing the future. Gorodetsky emphasizes that those who consider the metaverse an unattainable dream should remember that technologies such as the internet and electricity were once perceived as science fiction. It is important to realize that progress is moving forward, and metaverses can become an integral part of our digital reality.

Metaverses: Will IT Giants Repeat the Mistakes of the Past?

The history of technologies that are positioned as revolutionary is replete with examples of failures. One of the most striking cases is the announcement of the Daydream VR platform from Google in 2016. This project included the Daydream View headset, which promised to radically change the experience of virtual reality. Google VR team leader Andrey Doronichev declared at the time that the platform would "revolutionize the gaming industry." However, despite high expectations, the platform failed to achieve significant success and was ultimately shut down, a lesson for many companies seeking to innovate in the rapidly changing world of technology.

Three years later, Google announced the closure of the Daydream project. Company officials attributed this decision to declining interest from users and developers. The platform failed to gain popularity in the virtual reality market, which was the main reason for its closure.

Roman Dushkin emphasizes that Daydream's failure does not mean the failure of all future virtual reality projects. IT giants have significant resources for experimenting with various concepts. Success in this field largely depends on collaboration and technological progress. If companies can combine their efforts in developing a metaverse, this could significantly improve the situation.

Vladimir Stepankov is confident that Daydream's failure will not hinder the development of metaverses. Modern virtual and augmented reality technologies continue to develop rapidly thanks to the support of both large corporations and startups. Venture capital funds are actively investing in projects related to metaverses, allocating up to 7% of their portfolios to their development. This share is significant and is likely to increase in the future, confirming the growing interest in VR and AR technologies. Pavel Voropaev asserts that achieving success in metaverse projects requires an incremental approach. He notes that users are not prepared for drastic changes. Successful implementation of the metaverse requires smooth user adaptation to new technologies and functionality. This approach will create a more comfortable and understandable transition to new digital solutions, which in turn will increase user interest and engagement.

The future of the metaverse is determined by many factors, including technological advances and collaboration between companies. The potential of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) remains significant. Despite previous failures, experts are confident in the prospects of new projects and their ability to transform the digital space. Technological advancements and the integration of innovative solutions are opening new horizons for creating immersive experiences that can change how users interact with virtual worlds.

The Impact of Metaverses on the Future: Challenges and Prospects

Metaverses promise dramatic changes in the global economy and a transformation of labor processes, according to expert Anton Gorodetsky. He believes that in an ideal metaverse, everyone will be able to earn money through a variety of activities, similar to what happens in video games, where users are rewarded for developing characters for other players. These virtual worlds will open new horizons for income generation and job creation, which could significantly impact the labor market and entrepreneurship. The development of metaverses will create unique opportunities for interaction and collaboration, which in turn will lead to new forms of business and income. Gorodetsky warns of an important problem: "Humanity tends to transfer the negative aspects of the real world into new digital spaces. All the difficulties we face can also manifest themselves in the metaverse." This statement emphasizes the need for a careful approach to the development of digital technologies and the creation of virtual worlds to avoid repeating the mistakes of reality. It is important to consider how negative social, economic, and psychological factors can influence our interactions in virtual environments and strive to create a safer and more positive space in the metaverse. Corporations view metaverses as a means of increasing control over consumers. There is a danger that companies will seek to create addiction in users, thereby increasing their influence on their time and attention. Experts emphasize that such platforms can significantly increase consumer engagement with digital products, which in turn can lead to increased consumer spending and reduced critical perception of content. It's important to recognize these risks and find a balance between leveraging technology and protecting user interests.

Roman Dushkin identifies two scenarios for the development of metaverses. The negative scenario predicts deepening social tensions, such as a widening gap between the real poor and the virtual rich. Meanwhile, the positive scenario envisions the integration of real and virtual life, which could contribute to solving global problems. Dushkin notes that the creation of a single metaverse will simplify communication issues, allowing people to interact more effectively and productively.

According to the expert, humanity may face two extremes: we risk facing multiple isolated metaverses, making it difficult to navigate between them. This will lead to users having different digital identities in different systems, for example, one identity on Facebook and another on Microsoft. Such differences could cause serious problems for users, hindering interaction and information sharing.

Standardization of technological processes remains a key issue, especially in the context of avatar transfer between different platforms. Currently, corporations view each other as competitors, making collaboration in this area difficult. Regulation is also an important aspect: it is necessary to determine how governments will respond to the development of metaverses. Standardization and cooperation between companies can contribute to the creation of a more integrated and accessible virtual space, which in turn will impact user experience and technological development.

The relevance of metaverses is intriguing in the context of the potential for profit in virtual worlds. Despite the existing uncertainty, experts recommend considering investment in these projects. Investments may require significant time and effort, and results may not be immediately apparent. It is important to understand that the metaverse is still in its formative and developing stages, which opens up new opportunities for investors. Pavel Voropaev emphasizes the need to understand this fact when making investment decisions.

When can we expect full-fledged metaverses?

In a recent interview, Mark Zuckerberg said that the first version of the metaverse from Meta could be presented within the next five years. However, Meta representatives later clarified that the development of a full-fledged metaverse is a long-term project that could take 10 to 15 years. This underscores the company's ambitious plans to create a virtual space where users can interact with each other and with digital objects. The development of technologies such as virtual and augmented reality will play a key role in the implementation of this concept.

Expert Vladimir Stepankov argues that the creation of a full-fledged simulation of the real world in the format of a metaverse is impossible in the near future. He emphasizes scientific research that casts doubt on the feasibility of implementing such a simulation. "Until we answer key questions about dark matter and energy, discussing creating a real simulation is premature," he emphasizes.

Stepankov emphasizes that modern technologies and models of human consciousness are in their infancy and are still far from perfect. He notes that the metaverse may only become a reality over a long period of time, if human civilization survives until then. At the same time, he points to the growing need for virtual spaces, driven by population growth and a lack of physical infrastructure. In a context of limited resources, virtual worlds can offer new opportunities for communication, work, and leisure, making them relevant for modern society.

Anton Gorodetsky, head of the Player One media project, emphasizes that to create a full-fledged metaverse, humanity must overcome a number of significant obstacles. He notes that this requires more powerful and stable internet connections, as well as improved equipment, including VR headsets and sensory suits capable of transmitting tactile sensations. These technologies are key to successfully integrating users into virtual worlds and ensuring high-quality interactions.

Roman Dushkin believes that full immersion in virtual reality is unlikely to become a reality in the next ten years, but he strongly recommends taking the concept of the metaverse seriously. He cites widespread public rejection of new technologies as one of the main risks. In his opinion, "the first users of the metaverse may encounter neurological and psychological problems, which may lead to public rejection of these technologies." This approach emphasizes the importance of understanding the potential consequences of introducing the metaverse and the need to carefully study its impact on users.

Gorodetsky emphasizes that metaverse projects may face serious difficulties. Creating a metaverse is a complex, lengthy, and expensive process. At the same time, in the future it can offer interesting solutions to various problems, but many unresolved issues remain.