Five Major Trends Shaping the Metaverse

The metaverse is showing itself to be a mainstay in Web3 with the convergence of several software and hardware technologies. Far from reaching its potential, it is, however, proving itself to be a central pillar of the decentralized landscape. Able to facilitate human interaction uninhibited by geographical boundaries, the incorporation of cryptocurrencies into free-form economies and the application of NFTs into gaming, the metaverse will likely fulfill the internet’s original promise of genuine decentralization among computer networks. This article will explore five major current trends currently forging the metaverse in its infancy.

Blockchain Business Models

The blockchain is a decentralized data infrastructure that is not wholly-owned by one party. This is in stark contrast to the largely centralized infrastructure we have currently, which is owned and operated by big tech companies. As more and more businesses adopt blockchain technologies, the metaverse will become all the more robust, efficient and profitable, in tandem. In short, as the blockchain improves and saturates the market, so will the metaverse.

Across several market sectors, businesses are adopting the blockchain. For example, in 2018 Banco Santander launched the first international money transfer system on the blockchain. In 2019, media corporation Eluvio, Inc. launched its blockchain-based content platform, allowing producers to transfer premium video directly to consumers without using a third party content delivery service. More recently, Hong Kong’s Global Shipping Business Network (GSBN) aims to improve the maritime container shipping industry by placing operations such as document issuance, customs clearance and logistics on the blockchain. According to Statista, blockchain market integration is expected to grow more than 166% between 2017 and 2027.

Advancing Mobile Networks

The advancement of 5G networks has increased mobile networking efficiency in spades. This acceleration is crucial to supporting the metaverse as more and more users interact in real-time across a decentralized network. The metaverse’s interoperability (the capability to move between worlds seamlessly) is still in development by several companies.

One such company, Hedera, is focused on developing metaverse-specific applications that are dependent on rapid, efficient networks. The concurrent rise in mobile web usage is all the more reason to refortify and enhance these networks. The metaverse will predictably require many more powerhouse systems on top of mobile networking that can deliver the enveloping experiences that it promises. 

WebAssembly Adoption

Web3 is widely believed to be the next great step toward the fulfillment of the internet’s original promise: a decentralized network of computers and applications interacting with each other. With the rise of search engines and social networking, Web2 largely centralized the internet into a collection of tech corporations which own the data it is given by users. However, new formidable infrastructures are emerging in Web3 which are driving the shift away from that centralized ownership. 

One rising star in this area is WebAssembly. Its official website explains that WebAssembly speeds up a browser’s load-time processes, allowing native apps to be run through a browser just as efficiently as its native app. WebAssembly is making it possible for people to engage with the metaverse with the tech products they already own.

WebAssembly can run alongside JavaScript in popular browsers while being portable, ductile and highly efficient. Right now the BBC is exploring ways to integrate WebAssembly into its iPlayer. The current iPlayer reaches many different devices (iOS, Android, smart TVs, etc.) using different code bases for each one. Web Assembly can streamline those operations into a single translation layer and deliver the same experience. 

Exclusive Access

Many worlds in the metaverse are built by each world’s participants. In this situation, a world can use a ‘walled garden’ to offer exclusive access to creators, coders, graphic designers, artists, etc. to build out a given world. The world has its own theme or point of interest such as a particular game or a specific NFT collection. Think of it as a group of artists collectively painting a single picture. 

Despite the perceived paradox of restricting openness in the metaverse, walled gardens provide great benefits by narrowing a world’s members to a rank few who have specific talents. Roblox has proven this concept with their immense success providing walled garden worlds where creators come together to build applications, worlds, games and more.

Cybernetics

Perhaps the best known attribute of the metaverse is cybernetics: the fusion of human motor mechanics and computer simulation. Human bodies and computers are becoming more intertwined through this technology. 

Companies such as Bhaptics and OWO sell haptic suits that allow the wearer to “feel the game” as they play. For example, if a person moves their hand wearing a haptic glove they can see their hand move in the same way within the game. 

However, the capabilities of cybernetics does not stop at being able to give someone a high-five in the metaverse. Haptic suits can use artificial intelligence and collection of such data as biometrics to track habitual movements, heart rate, eye motion, making them more responsive to each individual user. 

Unlike cryptocurrencies and NFTs, the metaverse is not another economic commodity in Web3. It is a chain of developing worlds where cryptocurrencies, NFTs, video games and more will be created, used and experienced. These trends have their roots in existing technologies such as server-less web apps, wearable tech and cellular communication networks. With these technologies as its foundation and these trends showing its trajectory, the metaverse has the ability to change human communication for the better.