Popularised by Neal Stephenson’s 1992 novel, Snow Crash, The Metaverse is a term used to describe a future, fully-immersive virtual world where individuals can interact with each other and a simulated environment in real-time. The online virtual worlds Active Worlds and Second Life were both directly inspired by the Metaverse portrayed in Snow Crash and the novel has gone on to have a significant influence on the aspirations of the world wide web and computing.

In the Metaverse, individuals have a virtual identity or avatar that they can use to explore and interact with others in the virtual world. The Metaverse is expected to be a convergence of the physical and virtual world, blurring the line between reality and fantasy, with the focus on enhancing a users physical life experiences and transcending them in to expansive virtual worlds.

These virtual worlds will be built on cutting-edge technology such as virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and artificial intelligence (AI) with the aspiration to offer a wide range of activities and experiences, from gaming and entertainment to education and commerce.

Whilst the concept of the Metaverse has been popularised in science fiction, it is fast becoming a reality as technology continues to advance. Companies like Facebook and Roblox are already making investments into building the Metaverse, and experts predict that it could become a multi-billion dollar industry in the coming years.

However, the development of the Metaverse also raises important questions about privacy, security, and the role of technology in our lives. As we continue to move closer to this virtual world, it’s essential that we consider the potential consequences and strive to build a Metaverse that is safe, inclusive, and beneficial for all, developing the right technologies that are fit for purpose and can support moving the industry forwards.

One of the emerging themes for the Metaverse is that of an open ecosystem of interconnected virtual worlds where virtual assets and identities can become interoperable across platforms. This is an exciting vision but one that will require significant technological evolution and collaboration across platforms to realise that goal. That is just one of the reasons why UFORIKA is building using a custom game engine that is designed to support that vision in working towards a bold vision for the future of technology and human interaction.

While there are still many challenges to be overcome, the potential benefits are immense, and it’s an exciting time to be alive and be a part of this technological revolution. Join our community to learn more about the UFORIKA vision!