Metaverse in 2023, Where Are We Now?

On September 29, 2023, podcaster Lex Fridman had a unique chat with Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta. But this wasn’t just any remote conversation. The duo, rendered as photorealistic avatars, conversed from within the very topic of their discourse: The Metaverse.

Source: https://x.com/lexfridman/status/1707453830344868204?s=20

Before this virtual meet-up, they were scanned and digitally transformed into “codec avatars” with the Meta Quest Pro headset. It was quite the sight. The astonishment in Fridman’s digital eyes was palpable. His first words: “Where am I? Where are you, Mark?”

Interestingly, this spectacle stood in stark contrast to the reception of Zuckerberg’s metaverse endeavors from the previous year when Zuckerberg first showcased these avatars,the reception was… less than stellar. Many thought they resembled graphics from older games like 1996’s Quake and 2007’s Second Life.

Source: https://www.techgoing.com/mark-zuckerbergs-latest-vr-social-avatar-selfie-mocked-by-media-community/

Fast forward to February 2023, Zuckerberg penned a Facebook post detailing the company’s strategic shift from metaverse to an emphasis on AI. Quite the change in direction!

What’s intriguing is how platforms like Decentraland, Sandbox, and Roblox have been trying to convey that they’re genuine metaverse spaces. But many users kept scratching their heads, asking, “Is this really the metaverse?” But when the transition to a tangible metaverse seems neared fruition, reactions mirrored Fridman’s awe.

It was clear:

This digital realm was not just distinct from our physical world but captivatingly so!

On the tech front, Meta’s Quest 3 MR headset was launched on that same September day, closely following the unveiling of Apple’s Vision Pro headset in June. Tech enthusiasts are wondering if the debut of these devices is the “iPhone moment” of the metaverse. A pivotal juncture where elements converge, marking the threshold of a new epoch. The hardware, for the first time, hinted at the potential of a truly immersive metaverse experience. So, is our leap into “The Oasis” imminent?

While I’m genuinely enthusiastic about these developments, I’m also a bit cautious. Transitioning to a comprehensive metaverse might take more time than we anticipate. Its realization mandates a confluence of technological strides, of which VR/AR hardware is just one piece of the puzzle.

Reflecting on the iPhone’s origin gives us an interesting perspective. Many credit the iPhone as the spark that ignited the mobile internet revolution. There’s some truth there, but let’s dive deeper. The very first iPhone? It boasted a web browser but lagged with a slow internet connection. Moreover, websites back then weren’t exactly mobile-friendly. The mobile internet scene truly started sizzling with the release of the iPhone’s successor. Yet, it’s essential to note that this was after years of groundwork to integrate the internet into mobile devices. It was only with the emergence of transformative apps like Instagram and Uber that we truly recognized the potential of internet-on-the-go.

Jumping back a bit further, Arthur C. Clarke, in his 1976 sci-fi novel “Imperial Earth” ,envisioned a mobile video phone called the “minisec” which had global data connectivity — something eerily reminiscent of today’s iPhone. Fast forward to the 90s, a band of Apple engineers formed “General Magic” , aimed to create an iPhone-like device. Despite their ambition, they couldn’t bring their vision to life and unfortunately fizzled out.

Here’s the takeaway:

The iPhone became iconic because it was built on loads of other tech advancements. Sure, Steve Jobs was a genius, but he also stood on the back of other innovators’ hard work. There were folks making durable screens, powerful chips, and game-changing apps. All these pieces came together, and boom — we got the iPhone! The metaverse might just follow a similar journey of development.

But before we delve deeper, let’s tackle the basic question: “What exactly is the metaverse?”There’s a lot of buzz around the term “metaverse” and if you dive into it, you’ll get a boatload of definitions. Let’s start with the basics. According to Wikipedia, the metaverse is a hypothetical online universe, a blend of VR (Virtual Reality) and AR (Augmented Reality). In simpler terms, it’s a digital space where avatars (that’s us, but in digital form) hang out, separate from the real world.

Alright, that might sound broad. But there are two things to remember:

First, it is a virtual space and must be immersive.

Second, you need some gear (like VR/AR headsets) to get in.

Some thinkers, like John Locke, offer a deeper, philosophical perspective, suggesting the Metaverse embodies life, liberty, and property in our digital age, all governed by code. But let’s not get too lost in philosophical musings. We’ll lean on the clear-cut Wiki definition for our discussion.

So, you might ask, “How do we measure where we’re at with the whole metaverse thing?” Well, Matthew Ball provides some clarity on this. He envisions the metaverse as the next evolutionary step after the mobile internet. He’s pinpointed several characteristics that a fully-realized metaverse should possess. Using these as benchmarks, we can assess just how far we’ve come in the journey toward a comprehensive metaverse:

1. Persistence: In the metaverse, there are no “closing hours.” It’s a world that’s always on, continuously evolving, and doesn’t have a reset button. Unlike many online games that start afresh when you achieve a goal or meet an unfortunate end, the metaverse just keeps moving forward. Sure, there might be the odd technical downtime for maintenance or unexpected issues, but as a digital realm, it’s meant to be ever-present.

2. Real-time Engagement: The metaverse isn’t about checking in now and then,it’s designed to be a live experience. Activities happen in real-time. Events unfold as you participate. This immediate interaction is what sets it apart from many platforms of the modern internet.Again, some hiccups are expected, but it’s mainly live and running.

3. A Blend of Real and Virtual: Have you ever experienced mixed reality? That sensation of seeing digital elements in the real world? Well, the metaverse amplifies this. It seamlessly marries our physical reality with the virtual, offering experiences that traverse both realms.

4. Inclusivity and Massive Participation: Imagine an online game or a social platform but magnified countless times. The metaverse isn’t about exclusivity or user limits. It aims to accommodate everyone, making the experience vast and diverse.

5. Thriving Digital Economy: While some of us are still getting used to cryptocurrencies and digital assets, in the metaverse, these are the norm. There’s commerce happening — buying, selling, trading, and more. The foundations of this economy are already being laid with the rise of NFTs and blockchain technologies.

6. Interconnected Experiences: In the metaverse, barriers are frowned upon. The ideal is that you can take your digital belongings and experiences from one part of the metaverse to another without a hitch. Early iterations might see pockets overseen by tech bigwigs, but the long-term vision is fluidity and cross-compatibility.

7. User-Centric Content Creation: If the internet democratized information, the metaverse democratizes creation. Every user isn’t just a consumer but a potential creator. It’s a space where individual creativity isn’t just welcomed — it’s essential. This participatory nature is reminiscent of platforms like Minecraft, where users don’t just play, they build and define the experience.

By using these parameters laid out by Matthew Ball, we can gauge the progression of the metaverse. It’s like a report card, helping us understand how close we are to realizing the full vision of this expansive digital universe. The evolution is ongoing, and it’s exhilarating to track its development as we move closer to this next phase of digital interaction.

Whew! That was a lot to take in, right? But hey, we’re just getting started with this whole metaverse thing. So, grab your virtual tea, take a break, and make sure to subscribe. We’ve got a lot more metaverse adventures coming your way. Catch you in the next article!