The virtual reality revolution is upon us. Technology has progressed to the point where we can now explore an entirely simulated world and interact with it as if it were real. But who’s building this metaverse? Who’s developing these technologies that will change our future?
Who’s Building the Metaverse?
The metaverse concept could be more than a decade away from being fully realized. This new project has the potential to change how we live as humans on this planet forever and will require cooperation among tech giants for its success.
Let’s take a look at some of the companies behind what you’ll be seeing in the coming years, and how they’re creating the internet of the future.
What is the Metaverse?
The metaverse is the next iteration of the internet consisting entirely virtual reality (VR) environments. Think of it as an internet for virtual realities.
Companies Building the Metaverse Now
The metaverse concept could be more than a decade away from being fully realized. This new project will take cooperation among tech giants and has the potential of changing how we live as humans on this planet forever.
These are the companies that are helping to create the future:
Decentraland
Decentraland is the first ever crypto metaverse that has been built on Ethereum. It’s a virtual world where users own everything and govern themselves through decentralized autonomous organizations (DAO).
The company’s business model aims to provide content creators with opportunities for success, while also entertaining everyone who wants some escapism from reality!
Roblox
Roblox Corporation, a video game platform that went public this year has envisioned the metaverse as “a place where people can come together within millions of 3D experiences” to learn work play create socialize.
Roblox is a digital worlds platform that allows users and developers to create their own virtual environments. Roblox CEO has also talked about future shopping, conducting business on the platform in addition with its own currency-powered economy for transactions between players known as “Robux.”
Facebook (Meta)
Facebook has said that it wants to be seen as a metaverse company rather than just another social media platform. The tech giant, with about 3 billion users and an investment into augmented reality devices like the Oculus Quest. This would give them access to what they need in order for their lives outside of Facebook–jobs, family members etcetera-to feel less disconnected from one another while still feeling connected at all times
Facebook’s mission statement can now come true: “To make the world more open and connected.”
Microsoft
Satya Nadella, the CEO of Microsoft Corp said in an earnings call this year that his company was working to build what he calls “the enterprise metaverse.” The merge between digital and physical worlds will soon occur with their offerings.
Xbox is on the cutting edge of video game innovation, with Xbox boss Phil Spencer talking about planning for “a metaverse or mixed-reality construct.”
Nvidia
Computer chip maker Nvidia Corp built its Omniverse platform for connecting 3D worlds into a shared virtual universe. It says this is the “plumbing” on which metaverses could be built.
Unity
Unity Software Inc, one of the largest companies in developing video games and virtual reality platforms for use across all industries would provide tools or technology that would build the metaverse.
Snap
Snapchat owner Snap Inc is using augmented reality to create new ways for people to experience life through their Spectacles digital lenses. This year, the company unveiled its first true glasses available in developer kit form.
With an impressive level of detail that can be overlayed on top of what you see when wearing them or checking out videos from different angles around your surroundings.
Autodesk
Autodesk, the cloud software firm creates tools for architects and engineers also helps gamer developers build virtual worlds on gaming consoles like Xbox and Playstation.
Tencent
Tencent has registered many metaverse-related trademarks for its social site QQ. With stakes in major game studios like Epic Games and Activision Blizzard, Tencents’s reach is worldwide.
The world largest video gaming firm by revenue will soon be coming out with new products that are designed to take advantage of blockchain technology—potentially revolutionizing online transactions as we know it.
Epic Games
Epic is the company behind video game phenomenon Fortnite, which has moved beyond its core shooting game to social experiences like dance parties and virtual music concerts. Users pay to dress their avatars in different costumes and can build their own islands with games that are made on Epic’s large gaming engine Unreal.
Rumored Companies Getting Into The Metaverse
Amazon
With its ecommerce giant status and vast media offerings, Amazon is seen as a potential player in the metaverse. Amazon is getting more and more into the metaverse. The ecommerce giant is also the largest cloud services vendor in America today.
Apple
Apple plans to enter the metaverse via a rumored AR/VR headset. This would give them access and control of what’s going on in this new alternate reality.
Sony
Sony is getting ready for the metaverse future by making strategic investments into companies such as Epic Games. Their VR headset is geared towards gamers now, but not hard to imagine this hardware used on the metaverse to compete with Facebooks Oculus Quest.
Nike
Nike’s interest in the metaverse is clear as it prepares to enter this new market with virtual branded sneakers and apparel, among other things.
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Virtual Reality Revolution is Upon Us.
On a recent conference call, Mark Zuckerberg expressed his opinion on the future of virtual reality and how it will be used in society.
Zuckerberg predicts five to ten years from now is when people can expect key features like immersion through headsets or constant access online worlds without boundaries might become mainstream.
However some aspects already exist today such as ultra-fast broadband speeds which enables users with fast connections provide themselves an immersive experience no matter where they go.”
So Who’s Building the Metaverse? Just a Handful of Players for Now.
There are many people and companies who want to help build the Metaverse. The Metaverse has been a long time coming, and it’s still just waiting for its big technological break.
However, there are those of us who refuse to stop believing in this virtual space that will one day be the new frontier–a vast digital realm we all aspire to explore!
