What is the Metaverse? Avatars and interoperability will change the future

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Metaverse Primer: Avatars and interoperability are key! A thorough explanation of the future of the Internet

Hello, I'm John, a veteran blog writer. I'm sure many of you are curious about the word "metaverse," which has been around a lot lately. It may sound like something from a science fiction movie, but it actually has the potential to dramatically change our future internet experience. In this article, I'll be focusing on the particularly important keyword, "Metaverse","Avatar"And"Interoperability" will be explained in an easy-to-understand manner even for beginners. Sound difficult? Don't worry, let's take a look at it together, step by step!

What is the Metaverse? The Basics

First, let's talk about the "Metaverse." This is a coined word that combines "meta" (transcendent) and "universe."A 3D virtual space created on the Internet that feels like another reality" It may be easier to understand if you imagine the world of games. But the metaverse is not limited to games.

One of the problems the metaverse aims to solve is that our current internet experience is fragmented and disconnected. For example, it's difficult to carry your profile and friends list from one social networking site over to another game or online shop. The metaverse aims to make these experiences more seamless.

Unique features of the Metaverse include:

Immersion: By using VR (virtual reality) goggles, you can experience the feeling of being really in that space.
Real-time: Just like in the real world, time flows and you can interact with other people in real time.
Persistence: Even if you log out, the world will continue to exist and change.
Economic activity: They may also have an economic system that allows users to buy and sell items or provide services within the virtual world that can be converted into real money.
Social connections: You can communicate and collaborate with people all over the world, regardless of distance.

Avatars: Your "other self" in the Metaverse

Next is "Avatar". In the metaverse, we act through our alter-ego characters called "Avatars". Avatars are yourThe most visible manifestation of digital identityYou can also customize their appearance to your liking, from lifelike to animal, robot, or even completely fictional characters.

Your avatar is more than just a visual appearance - it is your whole "presence" in the Metaverse and is central to your social interactions with other users and self-expression. When you experience the Metaverse, it is through your avatar.

Avatar "supply" and value:

These avatars are not just pictures. In the future, each one may have its own unique value. For example,

Limited Avatar: Special avatars created by famous designers or avatars that can only be obtained at certain events.
Customizability: An avatar that can be customized down to the smallest detail. The effort and sense involved can be valuable.
NFT Avatars: Avatars are issued as NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) using blockchain technology, which clarifies the ownership of the avatar and guarantees its uniqueness.

The uniqueness and rarity of such avatars are one of the factors that determine their "value." And how can this value be carried across different metaverses? The key to this is "interoperability," which I will explain next.

Interoperability: The key to the future of the metaverse

"Interoperability" may sound like a difficult word, but it is a very important concept for the future of the metaverse.The ability to smoothly move and use avatars, digital items, and data between different metaverse platforms and services".

Imagine this: Wouldn't it be so convenient and fun if you could use your favorite avatar or hard-earned rare items that you created in game A in another social space B or a virtual shopping mall C? This is what interoperability aims for.

Many current metaverses (or metaverse-like games) are independent "silos" of each other. Items from game A can only be used in game A, and SNS identities from game B can only be used in game B. This is not a true metaverse experience.

Interoperability is expected to enable the following:

Avatar portability: You will be able to use one avatar (your digital identity) across multiple metaverses.
Transfer of digital assets: Clothes and items purchased in one metaverse will be available in another metaverse.
Continuity of experience: It will become possible to move seamlessly between different virtual worlds, as if crossing borders.

However, achieving this interoperability is not easy. There are many hurdles to overcome, including technical challenges (such as differences in specifications between different platforms), economic incentives (each company wants to lock in users), and standardization issues.

The Metaverse, Avatars, and the Technology Behind Interoperability

So what kind of technology is behind the metaverse, avatars, and the interoperability that connects them?

3D Graphics Engine:Game engines such as Unreal Engine and Unity are the underlying technology that create realistic virtual spaces.
VR/AR technology: VR (virtual reality) goggles and AR (augmented reality) devices will increase immersion in the metaverse.
Avatar Technology: Technology to create, customize, and control the animation (movement) of avatars. Research is also underway to use AI (artificial intelligence) to generate more natural facial expressions and movements, and to suggest avatars that match the user's preferences.
Network Technology: High-speed and stable communications technology (such as 5G) is essential to allow a large number of users to access the internet simultaneously and communicate in real time.
Blockchain technology: It is expected to play an important role in proving ownership of digital items (such as NFTs) and transferring value between different platforms. This will make it easier to prove that avatars and items are truly "your own."
Standardized Protocols: To achieve interoperability, common "rules" or "standards" are needed for avatar formats and data exchange methods. More on this later.

AI is also expected to be used to personalize user experiences in the metaverse, create more intelligent NPCs (non-player characters), and analyze massive amounts of data to optimize the operation of the metaverse.

Key players and communities in building the metaverse

The ambitious idea of the Metaverse cannot be realized by a single company alone. Many companies, organizations, and communities are involved.

Big Technology: Companies such as Meta (formerly Facebook), Microsoft, Google, Apple, and NVIDIA are leveraging their respective strengths to invest heavily in the development of metaverse-related technologies and platforms.
game development company: Epic Games (Fortnite) and Roblox, among others, already operate metaverse-like platforms with large user bases, and their experience and technology are important.
Startup company: Many startups with new ideas and technologies are active in specific fields (e.g. avatar creation tools, virtual real estate, NFT marketplaces, etc.).
Standards bodies: Industry-wide standards are essential to achieve interoperability.Metaverse Standards Forum (MSF) , IEEE, advancing standardization of avatar formatsVRM ConsortiumOrganizations such as Avatar Developer are working to standardize avatar body types, data formats, and other aspects of avatars, with the aim of making it possible for avatars made by different vendors to be used in a variety of metaverse experiences.
Open Source CommunityThere is also a movement to build an open metaverse that is not dependent on any particular company, and the developer community is very active.

As these players work together, and sometimes compete, the future of the Metaverse will be shaped.

Uses and future prospects of the metaverse

The metaverse has the potential to be used in many different aspects of our lives.

Games & Entertainment: More immersive gaming experiences, virtual live concerts, fan events, and more.
Social Communication: Interact with far-away friends and family as if you were in the same space.
Work/Business: Meetings, collaboration, remote training, virtual product exhibitions in a virtual office.
Education: New learning experiences, including reliving historical events, simulating dangerous experiments, and studying abroad virtually.
ShoppingUse your avatar to try on products in virtual stores and shop with friends.
Creative Activities:Create and exhibit art works and plan events in virtual space.

Our long-term vision is for you to be able to live your life as a user while retaining your identity (avatar), assets, and social connections.A truly open and interoperable metaverse where you can move freely between different virtual worldsThis could be said to be the next stage in the evolution of the current Internet.

Differences in approaches by platform (compared to competitors)

Different platforms have different approaches to building the metaverse.

Walled Garden: A closed ecosystem managed and operated by a specific company. While the experiences are highly integrated within the services provided by that company, there is limited integration with the external metaverse. User data and digital assets tend to be locked into that platform.
- Strength: It is easy to control quality and provide a unified user experience. Security is also easy to manage.
- Task: There is a possibility that interoperability will be low and user freedom will be restricted.
Open Metaverse: An ecosystem that is not dependent on a specific governing body and is built on distributed technologies (such as blockchain) and open standards, with an emphasis on interoperability between different platforms.
- Strength: Users have the ability to truly own and move their own data and assets freely, which encourages innovation.
- Task: Technical complexity, difficulty in standardization, and guaranteeing quality and security can be difficult.

Currently, many platforms are developing their own metaverses, and full interoperability has not yet been achieved. However, we are beginning to see standardization efforts such as the Metaverse Standards Forum mentioned above, as well as collaboration between some platforms (e.g., attempts to make avatars from one game available in other games). One example is the NFT avatar collaboration between "My Neighbor Alice" and "Pudgy Penguins."

Risks and Cautions

The metaverse has exciting possibilities, but there are some risks and caveats to be aware of.

Data Privacy and Security: In the metaverse, more personal data (behavioral history, biometric information, etc.) may be collected than ever before. How this data will be handled and protected is an important issue. There are also concerns about avatar and digital identity hijacking and fraud.
Protect your digital assets: NFT avatars and items can have asset value, but there is also a risk of losing them due to hacking or fraud. You are required to take responsibility for your own actions, such as managing your wallet.
Delays in establishing laws and regulations: Because the metaverse is a new field, legal frameworks and regulations have not yet caught up. It may be difficult to deal with infringements of rights or problems that occur in the virtual space.
Psychological and social impacts: Long-term use of virtual reality can lead to escapism and dependency, as well as bullying and harassment in virtual spaces.
Accessibility and InequalityWithout high-performance devices and a stable Internet connection, a "digital divide" may result, where people are left out of the metaverse experience.

Expert perspectives and analysis

Many experts and industry reports point out thatThe importance of interoperability and the difficulty of achieving it" Research published in academic paper databases such as the ACM Digital Library and SSRN also cites cross-platform interoperability, standardized evaluation criteria, and privacy-preserving personalization methods as major challenges for the future.

Also, the avatar is "The most important visible elements of digital identityThere is also a consensus that the metaverse is a place where information from IoT (Internet of Things) devices will be linked to avatars, and that avatars may have their own unique identities in each metaverse.

These expert opinions indicate that the future of the metaverse depends not only on technological advancements, but also on industry-wide collaboration and standardization.

Metaverse Latest Developments and Roadmap Highlights

The world of the metaverse is evolving every day. Specific roadmaps vary by platform and project, but the following are some of the major trends across the industry:

Strengthening efforts towards interoperability: Discussions toward standardization of avatars and digital assets are gaining momentum, centered around the aforementioned Metaverse Standards Forum. Specific collaboration cases are gradually increasing, such as a specific NFT collection being able to be used as an avatar in multiple games.
Integration of AI technologyAI is increasingly being used to create more realistic and interactive avatars, personalized experiences, and more advanced NPCs (non-player characters).
Expanding the creator economy: Systems are being developed (creator tools, marketplaces, etc.) that allow users to create content within the metaverse and earn revenue.
The evolution of XR (VR/AR/MR) devicesThe emergence of lighter, more powerful, and more affordable devices is expected to make the metaverse easier to access.
Deepening ethical and social debate: Rule-making and discussions are underway internationally to ensure the healthy development of the metaverse, including issues such as privacy protection, security, digital divide, and combating disinformation.

These are long-term goals and won't be achieved overnight, but we are well on our way to the future.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What do I need to get started in the Metaverse?: A1: Currently, you start by registering an account on a specific metaverse platform (games, social VR, etc.). Many can be accessed with a smartphone or PC, but if you want a more immersive experience, it's a good idea to have VR goggles. No special skills are required, and there are an increasing number of things that anyone can try out.
Q2: Is it difficult to create my own avatar?: A2: Many platforms provide tools that allow you to easily create and customize your avatar. Even beginners can intuitively operate it by simply selecting facial features and changing clothes. If you want to customize more advancedly or create a completely original avatar, you may need specialized knowledge, but try something simple first.
Q3: Once interoperability is achieved, will we really be able to carry anything?: A3: Ideally, yes, but there are many challenges to overcome, such as technical constraints and copyright issues. For example, bringing a powerful weapon from one game into another game may upset the balance. Therefore, there may be some restrictions and conversion rules on the types and functions of items that can be carried. Rather than complete freedom, it may start with "managed interoperability".
Q4: Is the Metaverse safe?: A4: As with any online service, it cannot be said to be 100% safe. It is important to be aware of basic security, such as managing personal information, avoiding the reuse of passwords, and not accepting suspicious links or invitations. Platforms are also taking measures to improve security, but users themselves also need to be vigilant.

Summary: The metaverse journey has just begun

This time, we talked about the metaverse, avatars, and interoperability, which are essential keywords for understanding the future of the digital society. The metaverse is still a developing technology, and its future is largely unknown. However, it has the potential to revolutionize the way we communicate, entertain, work, and express ourselves.

In particularSelf-expression through avatarsAnd thoseFree interoperability across platformsThese are the two wheels that will help realize a truly open metaverse in which users are the main focus. While keeping an eye on future developments, why not take a look at the world of the metaverse for now?

We hope this article will be your first step into the metaverse.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not recommend participation or investment in any particular platform. Please do your own research and make your own decisions when using metaverse-related services (DYOR – Do Your Own Research).

Introduction to the Metaverse: Avatars and interoperability will change the future!