David Peachment
May 25th, 2022
How to Prepare for the Metaverse
The world is changing at lightning speed! Technology is developing rapidly and faster than a lot of us can even keep up! It seems like new devices and gadgets are making their way onto store shelves every week. Just trying to keep up with everything can seem overwhelming and like a chore. And for the vast majority of new tech on the market, we probably don’t even need to worry about it. But every once in a while, there comes something that will drastically reshape our future in ways we can’t even begin to imagine. Just like how the internet caused monumental shifts in how our world operated when it was introduced, so too do experts believe that the metaverse will also cause similar waves. Right now, it might be hard to imagine, but back in the 90s, people also thought the internet was just a fad and wouldn’t go anywhere. The metaverse will be here to stay for a while, and understanding it is essential to be able to function fully in where technology is heading.
If you aren’t entirely sure what the metaverse is, I’ll give you a quick breakdown. If you’ve ever read the book (or watched the movie) “Ready Player One,” you’d have a pretty good idea of what the metaverse will look like. Essentially, it will be a shared digital space using primary virtual reality. People will be able to visit, meet new friends, go shopping, learn, and even work in the metaverse, all from the comfort of their homes. Every interaction will take place online and with a VR headset. Businesses will design digital versions of their companies that you will be able to walk around, explore, and shop while in VR. Instead of going to the mall to meet your friends, you might instead head online into the metaverse to play games, go shopping, and hang out. Now the metaverse will definitely not be for everyone. But for those who are interested, or at least want to keep up with the world, I’m going to detail a few ways to take advantage of our current trajectory and be on the cutting edge of the new world wide web!
Learn VR
The first step in preparing for the metaverse is to get your hands on a VR headset and learn the ins and outs. There are many options available, ranging from inexpensive to fairly pricey. Three of the big ones are the Oculus Quest 2 (owned by Facebook), HTC Vive, and the upcoming PSVR2 (owned by Sony and powered by PlayStation.) Each of these companies is investing heavily into creating a metaverse, and their respective virtual reality headsets will be the primary way people will interact with them. Taking the time to use one of these will help you understand and acclimatize to virtual reality and all that it can do. When I first started using VR, I know it took me a bit to get used to how I move and interact in the digital world. Playing around with a headset and everything it can do will be your first step to preparing for what’s coming our way. Don’t want to pay hundreds of dollars for your own headset? Find a class that specializes in learning about VR, or check out your local library. Oftentimes libraries will have a virtual reality setup on hand for learning and playing.
3D Modeling
The next step is learning 3D modeling. This is the act of actually creating things inside the metaverse. By utilizing 3D design tools, you’ll be able to build your own digital space or even create digital goods for selling to others. Several companies are already buying digital real estate in Facebook’s (now renamed to Meta) metaverse and setting up their own shops. Acquiring the skills for 3D modeling, no matter what age you are, will set you apart from other individuals in the future. It will be an incredibly valuable skill to have, and getting it early and building up your experience will be essential for remaining competitive in the future digital world.
Coding
The final way to prepare yourself that I want to discuss is coding. By understanding VR, you’ll be able to navigate the world. With 3D modeling you’ll be able to design in the metaverse. But what about if you want to create your own experiences inside the metaverse? For this, you will need to understand the fundamentals of coding. Even if you don’t want to build an experience, having just an understanding of coding principles and logic will help you understand everything inside the digital metaverse so much more. And ultimately, it will help navigate the world and see where things can be improved upon.
I hope by understanding a little bit more of the metaverse, you can get an idea about where our future might be headed. And I also hope that by using the above strategies, you can prepare yourself for what lies ahead. If you aren’t sure where to start with learning VR, 3D modeling, or coding, check out this link HERE to our learning sessions, where you can book online or in-person learning with a professional to get you up and running!
Until next time,
David Peachment