The metaverse has become an increasingly popular concept in recent years. The definition and first use of the concept date back long before today and long before Facebook renamed itself Meta. But the rapid advancement of technological developments and hardware has created a real explosion of the metaverse. Hardware, metaverse headset, virtual reality, augmented reality, mixed reality technology, video games, and many other metaverse projects have made the concept more and more widely known. These developments have greatly expanded the boundaries of what can be done with metaverse technology. Based on the products of technology companies and the statements of leading figures in the industry, people have come to have high expectations about the metaverse in different sectors. Expectations about the metaverse have been raised by those who have tried the headset, games, applications, and projects.
Which Areas Have Higher Expectations for the Metaverse?
Expectations for the metaverse have reached high levels in several key areas. These areas are as follows:
- Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, and Mixed Reality
- Video Games and Entertainment Industry
- Social Networks, Platforms, and Communication
- Art World and Creativity
- E-Commerce Sector and Virtual Economies
Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, and Mixed Reality
The future integration of Metaverse with virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality technologies is among the key expectations of users and people.
This can lead to a better and more realistic interaction within the metaverse.
Video Games and Entertainment Industry
Video games are one of the most popular industries today. With advancing technologies, the quality of video games has also increased. Users experience thousands of different video games with new-generation computers, game consoles, and mobile devices. After the application of technologies such as virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality to different hardware, these video game experiences have been transferred to metaverse headset. For instance, Half-Life: Alyx is a sequel to the popular video game series Half-Life, published by Sierra Studios and released by the well-known gaming company Valve. Half-Life Alyx was released on March 23, 2020, with support for the SteamVR-compatible Valve Index, HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, Oculus Quest (only with Oculus Link, not standalone), and all Windows mixed reality headsets. In 2020, it received many gaming awards for its unique experience for players. At the same time, Alyx is one of the best video games developed on headset, contributing to the increasing popularity of these devices. Naturally, expectations for metaverse headset and virtual worlds have increased in the gaming industry.
The video game industry continues to be very interested in the development and use of the metaverse. The metaverse can further extend video game worlds, offering better interactive social experiences. At the same time, the future expectations of the entertainment industry from metaverse projects are to offer metaverse services and projects as a platform for entertainment content and other virtual experiences, not just games.
Social Networks, Platforms, and Communication
Social platforms and networks, where people socialize and interact, are an area where people have great expectations of the metaverse. In the future, the metaverse may have a major impact on social networks and communication. Social network users can come together in virtual worlds and improve their social interaction experience. At the same time, virtual communities and organizations can be created through the metaverse.
People's greatest expectations are to have experienced through their virtual avatars that are impossible to have in the real world.
Art World and Creativity
The world of digital art has become a new sector for artists and art lovers with the development of technology and computers. Naturally, those interested are dreaming and expecting to create and experience new works in new virtual and digital worlds. Artists can produce works in these new virtual worlds, realize more interactive exhibitions and interact with participants. Virtual reality, augmented reality, mixed reality technologies, and the metaverse can come together to offer new experiences in the art world.
E-Commerce Sector and Virtual Economies
Today, e-commerce allows people to shop online via the web and mobile devices. With Metaverse, people's e-commerce experience can be taken to the next level. By shaping the future of e-commerce, Metaverse can offer elements such as stores, digital assets, cryptocurrencies, and Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs). People can carry out transactions related to these elements in metaverse virtual worlds. The metaverse can significantly contribute to the development of commerce and virtual economies.
Education
Education has accelerated with technological developments. Metaverse virtual universes can offer new possibilities for education.
Learning processes can become more interactive with the metaverse and benefit students' education.
The above-mentioned fields and sectors are just a few of the dozens of areas and sectors that have the highest expectations for what the future of the metaverse can be. These expectations are shaped by the opportunities and technological breakthroughs offered by the metaverse. Today, some people are still confused about the metaverse and related issues. Large companies, on the other hand, aim to both satisfy people's curiosity and meet these expectations with the different products and metaverse projects they offer, while continuing their investments and studies. Forecasts predict that the metaverse will meet the expectations of billions of people in 2040.
