The metaverse is the one thing everyone in the tech industry is talking about, but few still know how to access this virtual world.
How to enter the metaverse? Facebook parent company is renamed Meta Platforms Inc. That’s the question everyone’s been asking ever since it announced that it’s going to change to . For someone who has been keeping a close eye on the group’s latest hardware innovations, this was no big surprise. Facebook was gradually focusing more on smart glasses, virtual reality headsets and lifelike video calls over the internet. Thus, Metaverse goes one step beyond the two-dimensional social media world and moves into a digital interactive environment.
Meta does not plan to replace social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook apps, but focuses on creating a digital world through Metaverse. If the company can do this well, Metaverse opens up new business, social and gaming possibilities that can impact your daily life.
But there is one big IF the company thinks it can do. VR headsets have been around since 2016, and a lot of work has been done on virtual and augmented reality over the past five years, witnessed by many companies trying to create the ultimate digital experience. However, Meta is the only company with the capital and scale to successfully deliver on the Metaverse promise. Here, we’ve explained the company’s vision for the Metaverse and what you need to experience the world of virtual reality at your fingertips.
What is Metaverse?
The concept of metaverse was first introduced by Neal Stephenson in his novel Snow Crash (1992), where he envisioned a parallel environment to the internet where people could use avatars to interact with each other. This is basically what Facebook is trying to do through their Metaverse. The idea was so similar that Stephenson had to take to the internet to explain that he was not involved in the project in any way.
The idea of a virtual universe where people can interact with one another isn’t exactly new. Platforms like Habbo Hotel (2000) and Second Life (2003) have already developed the virtual world where avatars can run freely. However, the term Metaverse has started to attract even more attention as online games increase and augmented and virtual reality become mainstream. Therefore, more enthusiasts began to look for ways to enter the metaverse.
Today, platforms like Decentraland aim to create a decentralized world where users are also creative. It’s free to build houses and neighborhoods using the blockchain to make final transactions. The platforms also create their own cryptocurrency and users can use it to purchase digital assets as NFTs, which can be a character or a piece of land.
In summary, today there is not a single Metaverse, but there are many. However, they are all in the early stages of development. The world where users can use immersive real-time 3D interaction with each other in a virtual universe is still a scenario that today’s technology is not equipped to deal with. But in the last few months, we’ve seen a lot of innovative developments in the Metaverse world. And we hope we can have a full-fledged, easily accessible Metaverse in the next few months.
Equipment Required to Enter the Metaverse
To fully experience the Metaverse, you will need an Oculus Quest 2 VR headset. It comes with graphics chip and storage components integrated directly into the headset. It includes six internal external monitoring cameras that track the position of your head and hands in a vacuum without the need for separate tracking sensors. Alongside the headset you also get an oculus touch controller, each with a joystick and buttons so you can pick up and interact with virtual objects.
When you use the headset for the first time, you will see a monochrome view of the environment around you. It is possible with external monitoring cameras. From here, you can clearly map places to go around. You will see it on your floor with the augmented reality pointer. It’s up to you to set and confirm your limit. When you do this, the world around you will shatter and you will be able to fully experience the virtual 3D environment.
Headphones also carry sound from all directions, allowing you to actually hear ambient noise at the same time. If you want to fully immerse yourself in the 3D environment, you can connect a pair of headphones. It will eliminate the background noise and you can enjoy your experience.
You can also receive phone notifications when using the headset. Users may receive alerts such as social media updates or meeting notifications while using the headset.
The rise of the Metaverse opened a gateway for Facebook. The company is now working to develop more augmented reality technology.
While not all Metaverse platforms require a dedicated VR headset, some metaverse platforms, such as Decentraland, can be experienced using your desktop computer or laptop computer using just your internet browser. But to experience the platforms at their best, ultimately all Metaverse platforms may require a VR headset, but not currently required.
How to Enter Metaverse?
You will need a laptop and a crypto wallet to access the platform. Smartphones and most computers can be used to access it. However, they do not have enough processing power to give you optimum performance. This is one of the reasons why Facebook is focusing on developing more hardware such as smart glasses so that users can easily access the Metaverse.
Step 1: You’ll need an Avatar
While Metaverse is all about creating a virtual world, the first step is obviously to create your own digital avatar. Decentraland offers a panel where you can create and customize your avatar. It gives you the option to change your hair, eye color, outfit and even add accessories to your character. If you don’t like the outfit your character is wearing, you can change it as you wish.
Step 2: Time to explore the world
Now that you’ve spent enough time deciding what your character will look like, you’ll be dropped off at Genesis Plaza, a starting point in Decentraland. . It may take some time to set yourself up in space. Here the characters will continue to explode on your left and right. After that, it’s time to teleport yourself. After all, that’s all about Metaverse, getting where you want without walking or driving. To teleport yourself to other areas, Decentraland deploys the grid and you can choose any of the areas created by other users and go there.
3. Step 2: Play games
Decentraland also gives you the option to play games and the most popular game that everyone plays is ‘Wonder Mine Crafting Game’. Here meteors crash into the ground and players have to mine them for money and minerals. Each avatar is awarded 100 Wondercoins to get started.
4. Step 2: Make new friends
While playing the game, you also have the chance to make new friends. You can take the opportunity to talk to other players and ask them what they think about Metaverse. Similar to most online multiplayer games, the platform offers players the opportunity. They can then make new friends and experience the virtual world of Metaverse together.
