The term metaverse has become one of the most discussed topics in the technology industry, and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg popularized this term in 2021.
Although there is no clear definition, the Metaverse can be interpreted as a new virtual world that allows a person to be represented by an avatar; they can interact, play games, work, and communicate with other people in three-dimensional (3D) space.
Various technology companies compete to create their version of "metaverse."
However, Microsoft CEO, Satya Nadella, revealed that the metaverse concept is nothing but like making games.
"Look at what's happening in the Metaverse. What is the Metaverse? The Metaverse is basically about making games," said Nadella.
According to Nadella, making a metaverse can place people, places, things in a physics engine. Then, all the people, places, things in the physics engine are interconnected.
In the Metaverse, he gave an example that a person and his work colleagues can be present in the same meeting room virtually represented using an avatar.
Then it is equipped with sound so that the conversation is happening around the user.
"Guess what? The place where we've been doing it all this time is playing games," added Nadella.
The Microsoft boss took the example of Microsoft's car racing game, Forza. In the game, said Nadella, users are represented by avatars, and it's just that the avatar is not in the form of a human character but a car.
Like the concept of an avatar in the Metaverse that can be dressed in such a way, said Nadella, his car in the Forza game can also be modified according to the user's wishes.
The Metaverse also has the same concept as the game, compiled by KompasTekno from PCWorld on Friday (2/4/2022).
Need VR goggles and haptic gloves
Although equated with games, the Metaverse does not seem as simple as playing games on mobile phones, PCs, or consoles.
The reason is the experience in the Metaverse will rely heavily on advanced technology such as Virtual Reality (VR) glasses and sophisticated gloves with haptic technology.
This is as stated by Microsoft founder Bill Gates in December 2021. At that time, Gates had predicted that an online meeting would be held in the Metaverse in the next two to three years.
Gates said that VR goggles and gloves with haptic technology would be two important tools to bring virtual meeting experiences more real in the Metaverse.
Because VR technology is able to create a 3D simulation world, similar to the real world or the world of imagination though, the 3D simulation will make the impression as if what is seen with VR is real.
Meanwhile, gloves with haptic technology allow the user to feel like they are touching a virtual object because this technology applies tactile sensations to human interactions with computers.
"So both devices can accurately capture your expression, body language, and voice quality," Gates wrote.
So far, VR glasses have been used for gaming or video purposes.
Even so, according to Gates, most people still don't have VR glasses and haptic gloves to get a more real experience in the Metaverse.
That's what Gates will slow down the adoption of virtual meetings in the Metaverse.