The Metaverse

Since Facebook announced in October 2021 that it would change the company's name to Meta, the term 'metaverse' has suddenly appeared everywhere. But what exactly is the metaverse? And hasn't it existed for much longer? In this blog, we will explain what the metaverse is, what applications it can be used for, how virtual reality fits into the metaverse story, and what we can expect from the metaverse in the future.

Simply put, the metaverse is the digital world we inhabit. Think of an online multiplayer game where you walk around a virtual world with friends. In this digital world, you can do almost everything you can do in the real world, but from the comfort of your computer, game-console, smartphone, or VR headset. However, besides playing a game, there are many more applications of the metaverse. Meta (formerly Facebook) focuses particularly on the social aspect of the metaverse. What Meta aims to achieve is a complete digital world where you can walk around with an online avatar and meet up with friends.

It is important to know that the metaverse is currently still a global concept. It is not yet possible to just 'meet up in the metaverse'. However, it is possible to meet up in a specific game, such as VRChat. But the big difference here is that when you meet a friend in VRChat, you can only stay in VRChat. Whereas in the future, if we meet in the metaverse, you could go from the metaverse to different games.

Virtual reality literally means 'virtual reality'. It is a complete digital environment where you can, for example, play a game. Where you would normally sit in front of a computer with a mouse and keyboard, with virtual reality-bril you can experience the game much more realistically yourself. The beauty of virtual reality is that with the VR headset, you are much closer to the action. You literally look through the eyes of the main character of the game (first person). This principle is perfect for the metaverse because the aim is to make the metaverse as realistic and enjoyable as possible for users.

A VR headset can therefore be seen as a means to enter the metaverse. Just as a PlayStation or an Xbox can be used to enter the metaverse. And virtual reality can be seen as a way to enter the metaverse and interact with other people. Want to know more about what virtual reality is exactly? Then read this blog.

XR (extended reality) is the umbrella term for VR, AR, and MR. By XR, we mean all forms of realities. The metaverse is not limited to virtual reality but will also include augmented and mixed reality. These forms combine the real physical world with the digital world. With augmented reality, you are no longer cut off from actual reality but make a combination between the online world and the world you move around in. A simple example of this is an online video meeting via a program like Microsoft Teams or Zoom. Instead of only being able to see each other through a screen, with an AR headset, you can show the other person something you are also seeing. And all this in a small screen in the corner of your eye, so you can still do other things.

• Digital twins: a digital twin is an exact copy of something from the virtual world to the digital world. The most well-known example of a digital twin is Google Maps. Here, an exact copy has been made of all the roads and routes from the real world, and you can look up exactly where you need to go online.
• Virtual training: as XR-technologie becomes more realistic, training can be carried out better and better. Think of a pilot making his first flight with the help of a VR headset before stepping into a real plane.
• Social digital life: more and more companies are focusing on the social aspect of the digital world. Applications are no longer just aimed at gaming but increasingly at connecting with each other. Nowadays, you can easily meet up with a friend on the other side of the world.