Understanding the Metaverse: Insights from a Developer's Viewpoint
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Chapter 1: The Metaverse Unveiled
The concept of the metaverse encompasses three fundamental components: extended reality, avatars, and digital ownership.
Photo by Shubham Dhage on Unsplash
The term "meta" signifies "beyond," while "verse" refers to "universe." Coined by Neal Stephenson in his 1992 science fiction novel, Snow Crash, the metaverse combines virtual reality with elements of Sumerian mythology, creating a thrilling narrative reflective of the information age.
On October 28, 2021, Facebook, Inc. transitioned to Meta Platforms, Inc., although its platforms—Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram—retained their original names. The rebranding signified a broader vision for the company.
What exactly is the metaverse? Meta characterizes it as a collective 3D space where individuals can socialize, learn, collaborate, and play in imaginative ways. Importantly, the metaverse is a collaborative endeavor, created and shared by users worldwide, accessible to everyone.
As the metaverse is still developing, its definitions are evolving. However, three core elements remain constant:
- Extended Reality
- Avatars
- Digital Ownership
Let’s delve deeper into these components.
Extended Reality
Extended Reality (XR) serves as an umbrella term that encompasses Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), Mixed Reality (MR), and everything in between. Here’s a breakdown of these terms:
- AR: Enhances the real-world environment with digital content.
- VR: Immerses users in a fully computer-generated environment.
- MR: Integrates aspects of both AR and VR to create an interactive experience.
The WebXR Device API allows access to VR and AR devices on the web, covering various examples, including:
- Head-mounted displays (opaque, transparent, or utilizing video passthrough)
- Mobile devices equipped with positional tracking
- Fixed displays featuring head tracking capabilities
A device with 3DoF (Three Degrees of Freedom) can track rotational movement, whereas a 6DoF (Six Degrees of Freedom) device tracks both rotation and translation for precise spatial tracking.
A Navigator represents the identity and state of a User Agent (UA), serving as a global entity with various attributes and APIs.
To verify XR content compatibility, the navigator.xr.isSessionSupported() method can be utilized. If supported, it indicates readiness for XR content. Upon user activation, navigator.xr.requestSession() can be called to initiate an XRSession, which allows access to user pose and environmental information. The XR session continues until terminated by the UA or the user.
Avatars
Mark Zuckerberg, Meta's CEO, emphasized that "the defining quality of the metaverse is presence, the sensation of truly being with another person or in a different place." Avatars are crucial for achieving this sense of presence.
The term "avatar" has its roots in Sanskrit, meaning "descent," and represents the physical manifestation or incarnation of a deity on Earth. In the digital realm, avatars serve as a user's online identity and can take various forms—2D or 3D, static or animated.
Creating an avatar can be done through the Facebook mobile app. Simply search for "avatars" within the app to get started.
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Users can customize their avatars with specific attributes, including skin tone, hairstyle, facial features, and clothing options.
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In the metaverse, avatars should be realistic and animated, representing users across the digital landscape.
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Several platforms offer advanced avatar creation tools, including:
- Ready Player Me: A cross-game avatar platform allowing one avatar to traverse multiple worlds.
- VRoid Hub: A venue for uploading humanoid VRM avatars, a file format tailored for 3D characters.
- Mixamo: An Adobe tool for character rigging and animation.
- Cryptoavatars: A platform enabling the minting of unique avatars as Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) on the Ethereum blockchain.
Digital Ownership
The metaverse represents a virtual realm where socialization, play, work, education, and shopping mimic real-life interactions. Within this space, users possess ownership of virtual assets. Web3 signifies a new iteration of the internet built on blockchain technology, incorporating decentralization and token-based economics. Cryptocurrencies and NFTs facilitate the creation of a fully operational economy where virtual assets can be bought and sold.
Blockchain technology permits peer-to-peer transfers of digital assets without intermediaries, enhancing the metaverse's self-governing financial system. Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs) oversee decisions and transactions, with nearly 200 DAOs currently managing the cryptocurrency market, alleviating concerns about the manipulation of digital assets. Smart contracts outline participation and cooperation rules within DAOs.
Blockchain technology serves as the cornerstone of the metaverse, ensuring trust, security, and interoperability in this decentralized ecosystem.
Conclusion
The metaverse heralds a transformation in internet usage. While many definitions are still being refined, three essential elements—extended reality, avatars, and digital ownership—stand out.
Although the metaverse might seem idealistic or naive, portions of it are poised to become a reality in the near future.
Thank you for reading! If you're interested in more insights, feel free to explore my other articles on Medium.
Chapter 2: Videos for Deeper Understanding
To gain further insights into the metaverse from a developer's perspective, check out these videos:
The first video, "The Metaverse from a Developer Perspective" by Pär Sikö, offers valuable insights into the metaverse's intricacies from a technical viewpoint.
The second video, "Introduction to the Metaverse for Software Engineers," provides an overview tailored for those in software development.