How to Access the Metaverse: A Complete Guide
Are you among those who wonder how to access the metaverse? The change of Facebook’s parent company name to Meta Platforms Inc. and the announcement of focus on the metaverse was unsurprising for geeks. However, it is still a puzzle for people unfamiliar with VR and related technologies.
The metaverse moves one step further from the social media world. Hence many metaverse development companies, not just Meta, are working to develop an immersive digital environment. On that note, it becomes crucial to find the answers like; how to enter the metaverse, what you need to join it, and what you can do on metaverse platforms.
What is the Metaverse?
The metaverse is a set of virtual worlds that resemble the real world. You can explore this world, interact and play with others, attend virtual concerts, and shop in the metaverse using an avatar.
Some people think the metaverse is one big 3D digital space. But, it includes various platforms and environments. Unlike video games, the virtual realms of Metaverse are always online where everything exists even when you’re not there.
What are the Features of the Metaverse?
Defining the metaverse is hard as it is new and evolving. However, here are some characteristics you would like to know before going ahead with metaverse:
It's completely decentralized with a virtual economy
The metaverse doesn’t belong to any single entity, neither a company nor a user. It’s a collective world created and adapted by users. So they enjoy complete freedom and control over their digital identities and assets.
Likewise, people can transact in the metaverse using cryptocurrency. It’s the primary currency that uses blockchain technology which guarantees smooth and safe transactions. Participants engage in buying, selling, or trading by making virtual payments.
It allows complete immersion and social interaction
Metaverse uses technologies like VR, spatial audio, and AR to let users interact with the virtual world. Users are fully immersed using customized avatars, sensory stimuli, and haptic feedback.
You can create real-time virtual connections and interact with other participants worldwide. Users can meet friends, attend group events, and play multiplayer games.
It thrives on user-generated content but is independent of devices and users.
Like Instagram, YouTube, and other social platforms, metaverse thrives on User-generated Content (UGC). You can create NFTs and build digital assets, contributing towards making the metaverse even more useful for other users. Further, it lives on a decentralized network using cloud computing and blockchain technology. Hence, though it exists online with user-generated content, it doesn’t rely on specific users, developers, or devices.
Equipment You Need to Enter the Metaverse:
You can enter the metaverse via smartphones but won’t get the best, in-depth experience. Here are the things you would need to access the metaverse and experience its immersive capabilities at its best.
A computer with good graphics and memory
A computer with high graphics and memory can enhance your experience. Some metaverse worlds need specific device requirements, so have them for a smooth experience.
VR Headset and AR Glasses
To experience the metaverse in 3D instead of 2D, you need a virtual reality (VR) headset and hand-operated controllers. Likewise, to see digital overlays of real-world objects, you need augmented reality glasses. They look like regular goggles but can enhance your virtual experience.
Gaming Console
Gaming consoles aren’t mandatory, but they can be useful if you want to socialize. It gives an immersive environment where you can buy, sell, and customize virtual assets.
What Do You Need to Join the Metaverse:
Apart from the equipment mentioned in the previous section, here are a few more things you will need to access the metaverse.
Internet Connection
For smooth and uninterrupted interactions with other participants in the metaverse, you will need a reliable internet connection. An internet connection with a speed of at least 100mb/s will work for a VR experience. However, some platforms providing an immersive experience will need a faster and more stable internet.
Digital Currency
Digital currencies enjoy a special status as only a few metaverse platforms use them. So, if you are entering such a platform, you will need a respective digital currency to buy digital assets, services, or experiences in that environment. MANA, Theta, and ApeCoin are a few examples of digital currencies used in the metaverse.
Select the Right Metaverse Platform
Many see metaverses as a distant future, but there are some virtual worlds that you can access now. Here are some of them you would like to visit.
Beatday
Beatday lets you attend Metaverse concerts with a surreal 360° venue where you can control your avatar’s movements. You can play mini-games with others, sponsor booths, and buy props from a merchandise store.
Roblox
It is a huge multiplayer game that lets players build virtual worlds and communicate with one another. This game has become a hub for children, adults, and big brands like Vans, Nike, and Gucci.
Minecraft
Being a popular and highly flexible game, Minecraft is a favorite among gamers across the globe. You can build anything from a small shed to a medieval castle using blocks and interact with other players in this game.
Fortnite
Fortnite is a battle royale game that brings player’s ideas into reality. It has a large online community and often hosts virtual events and concerts.
How to Access the Metaverse?
Although VR headsets offer a life-like immersive experience, you can still access the metaverse without them. So, let’s discuss both ways how to access the metaverse.
Access the metaverse with a VR Headset.
The VR headset uses inside-out tracking with built-in sensors for monitoring your movements within a 3D space. It also comes with two hand controllers that enable users to move through the virtual world.
Download a VR application on your phone or PC and create an account. Once installed, open the application, select a platform, and get lost in the virtual world.
Access the metaverse without a VR Headset.
There’s no hard science on how to access the metaverse without a VR headset. You can open it on a smartphone or a computer and enter a VR world. For instance, we have Roblox, Minecraft, Fortnite, and Decentraland that can be explored without a VR headset.
What Can You Do in the Metaverse?
You can work, socialize, play games, do shopping, enjoy concerts, attend events, and do a lot more; possibilities are endless. Let’s explore them.
Metaverse is like a universe yet to be explored. As it has created a huge demand for software engineers, it has also opened the doors for those without technical expertise. Examples are virtual tour guides, digital marketers, storytellers, and event directors to name a few.
With that said, the metaverse also allows digital transactions, like buying and selling assets. You can buy or sell art, music, real estate, games, etc., using digital currency within the virtual world.
Though there are diverse applications of the metaverse in various fields, and new developments are happening every day, gaming is ahead of all of them. You can play games like Robolox, Minecraft, Fortnite, and Pokemon Go. Players can create, buy, and sell avatars, digital arts, virtual goods and services, etc.
Apart from that, you can attend trade shows, concerts, and corporate and social events. Virtual events are convenient as they don’t require huge space or attendance restrictions.
Conclusion:
Now you know how to access the metaverse and how it’s changing the digital world with immersive virtual experiences. It is a parallel universe where you can do anything the real world does and more. We see the metaverse as a dynamic scope for creativity and community building. The time to visit & enter this magical realm is now.