BOUNDLESS – As a 3D virtual space, the metaverse eliminates all types of barriers, physical or otherwise. It’s an endless space where there are no limits to how many people can use it at the same time, what types of activities can take place, what industries can enter it, etc. It widens accessibility more than current internet platforms.
PERSISTENT – A metaverse can’t be unplugged, reboot or reset. Users can enter it freely at any time, from anywhere in the world, and in doing so there’s always continuity to their experience. A metaverse will evolve over time based on the shared contributions of its users, like the content and experiences designed by them.
DECENTRALIZED – The metaverse isn’t owned by a corporation or a single platform, but by all of its users, who can also take control over their private data. Blockchain technology is a big part of this (more details later on) because it ensures that all transactions within a virtual world are public, easily tracked and safe at all times.
IMMERSIVE – Whether you’re using a VR headset, AR glasses or just your smartphone, you’ll be able to enter a new level of immersion and interactivity, where all human senses are more fully engaged and users feel more present in their experiences. As a highly realistic space, the metaverse will also have the capacity to adapt to its users who can directly influence, for example, its environments, objects, colors, lighting, and more.
VIRTUAL ECONOMIES – Metaverse participants are able to engage in decentralized virtual economies powered by cryptocurrency (like Sensorium Galaxy’s very own SENSO. This includes marketplaces where users can buy, sell and exchange items like digital assets like avatars, virtual clothing, NFTs and event tickets.
SOCIAL EXPERIENCES – The beating heart of the metaverse boils down to its users. Every participant in a virtual world takes part in co-experiences and helps co-create the future of the metaverse through user-generated content, from virtual creations to personal stories and interactions with AI-driven avatars.
In truth, metaverse-like experiences have existed even before Facebook’s recent Meta rebranding. Earlier iterations can be found in games like Second Life and The Sims, where users are in control over the life of their online avatars. Even circa 2009 Facebook was dabbling in some pre-metaverse experiments like Farmville, a game that let participants run their virtual farms and sell their produce in return for Farm Coins. And while these platforms have some elements of the metaverse, they are still contained events that don’t have much impact outside their original platform.
A true metaverse is a continuous experience, integrating elements from different platforms and audiences into one. Now that we have this part nailed down, what else can make the metaverse tick?