Metaverse how to enter: Guidance on what it is and how to access it

Intro

The metaverse is a concept related to the world of technology and video games, referring to a shared virtual reality accessible through the Internet. Basically, it is a virtual world in which users can interact with each other and the environment in a similar way as they do in real life, but within a man-made artificial reality.

The metaverse can be used to create a wide range of experiences, such as games, simulations, social events, or even to work or study. Unlike traditional virtual worlds, which are usually limited to a single game or platform, the metaverse is conceived as an open ecosystem that can integrate multiple applications and services.

The idea was originally proposed in the 1980s by science fiction authors such as William Gibson and Neal Stephenson, but only recently has the technology become advanced enough to allow the creation of shared virtual reality on a large scale. Currently, there are several platforms in development that aim to create a true metaverse, such as Facebook’s Horizon project or Epic Games’ virtual world, Fortnite.

Mark Zuckerberg in 2022 famously defined the metaverse as a time, or rather, moment when fundamentally immersive digital worlds become the main way we live our lives and spend our time.

Remember, even the Internet did not mean much at first, and eventually people settled on a universal understanding of the term. Over time the same will happen with the metaverse with the goal that eventually anything you can do in the real world will have a virtual counterpart in the metaverse.

The future of the Internet is the Metaverse, which is nothing but a set of virtual experiences, places and resources that everyone can access to experience situations and move through “non-physical” but no less real environments.

If you have ever played video games such as “Fornite” or “The Sims,” just to name a few, you will know that you have already experienced the creation of virtual worlds, as well as any experiences you have taken part in through an avatar of your own. The Metaverse, in fact, is not such a new concept. the fact that it is being talked about so much at this time is because Mark Zuckerberg, with the announcement of Meta, has shone a spotlight on a “reality” that everyone now wants to take part in.Entrepreneurs, celebrities, investors, executives, brands: all are already throwing the first brick into the Metaverse convinced of the very high potential in terms of experimentation, user connection, entertainment, opportunity and (of course) profit.

How the metaverse works

The technology behind the metaverse is put together by other components, including virtual reality, blockchain and Web 3. Blockchain is a way to store blocks of data that are linked together in a chain based on relevance. Blockchain databases provide a way to share data while ensuring fidelity and security, which is why they are a key component for cryptocurrencies.

Blockchain provides the building blocks for Web 3, the newest iteration of the Internet that provides the framework for extended reality. Finally, virtual reality relies on these technologies to simulate a real-world experience. Most VR software is based on a virtual world generator, built using a software development kit from a specific VR visor vendor. This kit provides the basic programs, drivers, data, and graphics rendering libraries.

The uses of the Metaverse

Currently, the metaverse has a narrower scope based on the limitations of the underlying technology. It is, however, already being used in several areas:

• In video games they are more prevalent. Through them, an immersive experience is created that maximizes the gaming experience.

• In shopping. Metaverses provide an opportunity to make money through marketing and increased sales so as to attract the participation of certain companies. The goal is to provide an even better shopping experience than you might get in real life. For example, you could try on clothes using a digital avatar that matches the size of your real world, allowing you to try on more clothes. The physical goods are then delivered to your home. Companies such as Gucci (through The Sandbox) have already presented storefronts in the metaverse.

• In carrying out work placements. the metaverse offers an easier and safer way to educate people. Here you can practice first aid skills, for example, without endangering any real human bodies.

• In school training. The future of university classrooms lies in the metaverse, where anyone can learn cutting-edge information from top professors from around the world. In January 2022, Stanford University launched “Communication 166/266 Virtual People,” its first classroom hosted in the metaverse (students participate with Oculus 2 headsets), and other academic institutions are following suit.

• In remote work. One could participate in a work conference, for example, without having to leave home. Virtual workspaces are cheaper and more accessible.
• In medical examinations. Medical checkups could be done remotely, facilitating those who are unable to travel.

• In traveling. Visit museums around the world, hike in rainforests without harming wildlife, or participate in space tourism through virtual travel portals without having to buy an expensive ticket.

In addition to all these areas, we can say that the aspect that will most involve the metaverse is social activities. Through them, one will not only be able to share information, pictures and videos, but play group games, chat in VR rooms or even hang out with someone.

In addition to games, the metaverse is also perfect for other types of entertainment. For example, virtual cinemas offer a much better experience than that provided by home televisions. Big names including Ariana Grande, The Chainsmokers and Travis Scott have all hosted digital concerts in the metaverse.

Having established that the Metaverse is a virtual space within which people can move around, get to know each other and have experiences through their avatars, and, having delved into how it works in different areas, let us now discover together how to enter this parallel Universe.

How to access metaverse

Access to the metaverse requires a combination of specialized hardware (phones, computers, headsets, 3D screens, gloves, etc.) and software (games, programs, etc.). What you need depends on exactly what you want to do. For example, to play the most popular VR games, you will need a VR visor and controller.

There is no unified metaverse, so each company is developing its own platform and attached devices. Currently, major players include Meta, NVIDIA, Epic Games, Microsoft, Apple, Decentraland, Roblox Corporation, Unity Software, Snapchat, The Sandbox, and Amazon.

Thus, to access the Metaverse, one only needs to register on the sites, download the apps that allow for this type of immersive experience, and possibly equip oneself with a visor or accessory that allows for an even more immersive experience of one’s projection into the virtual world. Therefore, it is not mandatory to have a VR visor (Virtual Reality Viewer) to enter the Metaverse: owning one means experiencing this world as if you were inside it, but if you have not purchased one you can still have this experience outside of tangible reality.

It is good to know that each Metaverse will have its own rules of entry. The following are some examples of virtual realities that are already active and under further development and corresponding clarifications on the procedures one needs to carry out to enter these digital universes.

Facebook metaverse

The Facebook metaverse is a social virtual reality environment where users can interact and create together in a virtual world. Launched in 2021, Facebook Horizon offers users the opportunity to enter the Facebook metaverse using a virtual reality visor or through the Facebook Horizon app on a computer or mobile device.

The basic prerequisite for access, in addition to having a Facebook account, will be to have the visor developed in-house by Oculus. To further enhance one’s experience, it will also be important to have the smart glasses that Meta has made in collaboration with Ray-Ban.

To access the Facebook metaverse you will then need to perform the following steps:

1. Make sure you have a Facebook account. If you do not already have an account, you can create one for free by visiting the Facebook website and following the instructions for creating an account.

2. Download the Facebook Horizon application. Facebook Horizon is Facebook’s virtual reality environment and can be downloaded by visiting the Facebook Horizon website or searching for “Facebook Horizon” in the App Store or Google Play Store.

3. Set up the Facebook Horizon application. Once you have downloaded the application, you will need to configure it using your Facebook account. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup.

4. Connect a virtual reality device (optional). If you have a virtual reality viewer, such as Oculus Quest or Oculus Rift, you will be able to use it to enter the Facebook metaverse even more immersively. Make sure you have the virtual reality device configured and ready to use before proceeding.

5. Entering the Facebook metaverse. Once the application is set up and the virtual reality device (if any) is ready to use, you can enter the Facebook metaverse by selecting the “Enter the metaverse” option from the application. You will then find yourself in a virtual world where you can interact with other Facebook Horizon users and participate in various activities.

Once you have entered the Facebook metaverse, there are many things to do. Users can create their own avatar, explore the virtual world, participate in events and activities with other users, and create content for the metaverse. Facebook Horizon also offers a number of creation tools to help users create their own virtual world and share it with others.

Metaverse of the Sandbox

The Sandbox is a blockchain-based metaverse that offers users the ability to create, play and share content in a virtual world. Users can create their own avatar and use“SAND,” the native currency of The Sandbox metaverse, to purchase items and activities within the virtual world.

The metaverse of The Sandbox is divided into several “plots” or virtual worlds, each created by a user or company. Users can explore these virtual worlds and interact with other users participating in them. They can also create their own virtual worlds using the available creation tools and share them with other users.

The metaverse of The Sandbox is based on the Ethereum blockchain, which means that all transactions within the virtual world are recorded and verified on the blockchain. This provides users with a level of security and transparency in buying and selling items and activities within the metaverse.

To enter the metaverse of The Sandbox, you need to follow these steps:

1. Make sure you have a The Sandbox account. If you do not already have an account, you can create one for free by visiting The Sandbox website and following the instructions for creating an account.

2. Download The Sandbox application. The Sandbox is available for both iOS and Android devices, so you can download the app from the App Store or the Google Play Store.

3. Configure The Sandbox application. Once you have downloaded the application, you will need to configure it using your The Sandbox account. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup.

4. Connect a virtual reality device (optional). If you have a virtual reality viewer, such as Oculus Quest or Oculus Rift, you will be able to use it to enter the metaverse of The Sandbox in an even more immersive way.

5. Entering the metaverse of The Sandbox. Once the application is configured and the virtual reality device (if any) is ready to use, you can enter The Sandbox metaverse by selecting the “Enter the metaverse” option from the application.

Metaverse of Decentraland

Decentraland is a metaverse also based on a blockchain that offers users the ability to create, explore and interact in its decentralized world. Users can create their own avatar and use“MANA,” the native currency of the Decentraland metaverse, to purchase items and activities within the virtual world.

To enter the Decentraland metaverse, you must follow these steps:

1. Make sure you have a Decentraland account. If you do not already have an account, you can create one for free by visiting the Decentraland website and following the instructions for creating an account.

2. Download the Decentraland application. Decentraland is available for both iOS and Android devices, so you can download the app from the App Store or Google Play Store.

3. Configure the Decentraland application. Once you have downloaded the application, you will need to configure it using your Decentraland account.

4. Connect a virtual reality device (optional).

5. Enter the Decentraland metaverse. Once the application is configured and the virtual reality device (if any) is ready to use, you can enter the Decentraland metaverse by selecting the “Enter metaverse” option from the application.

Metaverse of Zepeto

Zepeto is not a metaverse in the strict sense. Rather, it is a mobile application that allows users to create a digital avatar of themselves and use it to interact with friends and participate in various activities. Users can personalize their avatar with a wide range of customization options, including clothes, accessories and makeup.

The Zepeto app offers users the ability to create their own virtual world within the app and share it with friends. Users can also participate in company-sponsored events and activities and purchase virtual items using the app’s native currency,“ZEPETO COINS.” However, there is no virtual world in which users can explore and interact immersively as in other metaverses, such as The Sandbox or Decentraland.

Zepeto is available for iOS and Android devices and was launched in 2018. It has been a huge success in Asia and other parts of the world, becoming one of the world’s most popular avatar creation applications.

To enter Zepeto, you must follow these steps:

1. Download the Zepeto application. It is available for both iOS and Android devices, so you can download the app from the App Store or the Google Play Store.

2. Open the Zepeto application. Once the application is downloaded, open it to start using it.

3. Create a Zepeto account. If you do not already have a Zepeto account, you will need to create one to use the application.

4. Creating your own avatar. Once you have created a Zepeto account, you will be able to create your own digital avatar using the avatar creation feature available within the application.

Metaverse of Somnium Space

Somnium Space is part of Etherium’s set of blockchain-based metaverses.

It is open-source and was released in 2018. It also issues its own cryptocurrency called CUBE with which Somnium Space users can rent land and make payments for games and events on the metaverse.

To access the metaverse of Somnium Space, you need to follow these steps:

1. Make sure you have a Somnium Space account. If you do not already have an account, you can create one for free by visiting the Somnium Space website.

2. Download the Somnium Space app, available for both iOS and Android devices.

3. Configure the Spazio Somnium application. Once you have downloaded the application, you will need to configure it using your Somnium Space account.

4. Connect a virtual reality device (optional).

5. Access the metaverse of Somnium Space. Once the application is configured and the virtual reality device is ready to use, the Somnium Space metaverse can be accessed by selecting the “Enter the metaverse” option from the application.

Metaverse of Voxels

Voxels is another metaverse similar to Sandbox, developed on Ethereum’s blockchain, in which users can buy plots of land and build stores and art galleries on it.

The latter has become one of the main attractions of Voxels. The metaverse is home to hundreds of digital art galleries, including the B.20 Museum, which exhibits the works of Beeple, a leading NFT artist. Within the application you use your native currency, “VOXs,” to buy and sell items and activities within the virtual world.

Spatial metaverse

The Spatial metaverse, based in New York, aims to create a metaverse for and of artists, with the goal of building the world’s largest gallery of metaverse. Spatial co-founder Lee Jin-ha has previously explained that previous modes of art display lacked means of communication between artists and viewers, and he believes the metaverse is the new answer.

World-renowned artists such as Grammy-winning producer Illmind, digital artist Krista Kim, and sculptor Ken Kelleher, also known as “Anchorball,” have organized events or sold NFT works on Spatial’s metaverse, which last December raised a $25 million Series B funding.

For both Voxels and Spatial, the procedure is the usual and common for all other metaverses:

1. Download the corresponding apps from the App Store or Google Play Store.

2. Configure the application by following the instructions on their interface.

3. Connect a virtual reality device (optional).

4. Access the metaverse via the “Enter the metaverse” option. You will find yourself in a virtual world where you can observe the artistic works of the NFTs.