4 'Real-Life' Activities That Are Operational in the Metaverse Now

The Metaverse is the world’s next big thing and one of the most noteworthy technology trends of 2022. The minds behind the idea announced plans to inject $10 billion to promote the project in 2022.

Typically, Metaverse refers to a virtual world where people can do almost all kinds of activities in a virtual space in the comfort of their homes or anywhere. The whole Metaverse concept isn’t new to the world, but it’s now considered an evolution of the internet.  

Ideally, Metaverse doesn’t rule out other futuristic technologies like Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and Mixed Reality (MR). Instead, it leverages the power of these technologies to create an interactive virtual internet domain, where people use avatars to represent themselves.

Though the ultimate vision of the Metaverse is still under development, some of the real-life activities supported in Metaverse are already operational.

Don’t confuse virtual concepts in technology as all being the same as the metaverse.

Things like holograms should not be confused -- where artists host concerts in a physical world then use lasers to create 3D holograms projected on glass panels.

These have been around since 2009 and were even used in 2012 for a Tupac Shakur performance in Coachella, even though he had long passed.

The appeal continues to gain traction in the music industry, especially following its struggle amid a global pandemic. The music sector had been declining in revenues, with many live concerts canceled, but several artists found a way around the restrictions. Noteworthy artists like Travis Scott pulled a successful virtual concert during the 2020 Fortnite performance worth $20 million.

In October 2021, Ariana Grande performed a virtual concert that attracted 78 million viewers.

Commentators speculate the virtual gig earned over $20 million. Celebrities holding concerts on Metaverse benefit by earning revenues directly without splitting.

Expenses are also reduced on travel, and virtual venues can not limit the size of the audiences like physical ones do. With such perks, they are more likely to entice fans into Metaverse, and the idea of interacting with avatars will keep gaining steam.

The medical field was among the earliest adopters of the technologies that ultimately comprise the Metaverse. The World Health Organization used AR technology and smart devices to train coronavirus responders, while psychiatrists used VR to treat soldiers with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Other stakeholders in the medical field are also using VR to train medical practitioners. At UConn Health, they use Oculus technology to train students in orthopedic surgery.

The educators forged a partnership with PrecisionOS, a software company in Canada that provides VR training and orthopedics educational modules.

The trainers and learners use Oculus VR headsets to visualize procedures in 3D and perform different surgical procedures. The virtual space allows learners to make mistakes and get feedback to incorporate them in their subsequent operations. Medical equipment companies also use MR to design operating rooms and assemble surgical tools.

Now that Metaverse provides a collection of digitally connected worlds, it’s only normal that gamers also have a piece of the action. This is in the form of a plethora of games, so if you never thought of playing basketball without the ball, you are in for surprises in the Metaverse world.

The Meta CEO showed fantastic solutions for fitness enthusiasts in VR, including pickup basketball playing and receiving fencing instructions from global trainers.

Notably, Metaverse games dabble into various technologies, which leaves users with different participation requirements. The simplest of them require an internet connection, a mobile device or PC, and a VR headset. Other versions like the blockchain-based and play-to-earn Metaverse games require users to have a blockchain wallet to manage their cryptocurrencies. Players have different wallet options based on the games they choose to play. They can trade items on the game with peers for cryptocurrency deposited into their wallets.

Some popular games available on Metaverse now include Decentraland, Horizon Worlds, Roblox, Fortnite, and Sandbox.

It’s not uncommon in the real world for pals to meet up at the bar to catch up amidst drinks and dart or pool games. The rise of Metaverse could spell doom for bars with the introduction of Metaverse bars like the Miller Lite Metaverse bar in Decentraland. Anyone who fancies the bar fixtures can meet with friends and enjoy sporting events in a virtual environment.

The Metaverse bar comes with classic bar fixtures, including digital instruments, dart boards, and even the ability to click Meta selfies. Guests must still be of age 21 and above to enjoy the immersive experience in the environment and virtual drinks. The only noteworthy difference is the lack of a physical drink. 

However, projects like DNNR seek to integrate physical and digital dining, allowing users to enjoy life online and offline. DNNR is a collection of 10,000 membership NFTs dubbed ‘Treats.’ Members will have access to a Metaverse dining club and exclusive real-world restaurants and hospitality venues around the world. They can unlock the cities, special collections, and other perks through the roadmap activation.

In its first release, DNNR provides 500 Founding Member NFTs access to the London Dining Room, where they will enjoy exclusive benefits as the project moves through the roadmap. DNNR intends to upgrade their already delicious restaurants to metalicious, allowing everyone to encounter the coolest experience among a community of people alike who love to eat well and enjoy life online and offline. 

Based on the increasing adoption and continued support from big corporate names like Meta, Microsoft, Google, and Apple, it’s apparent that the technologies around Metaverse are here to stay. Everything seems futuristic and pretty exciting, but it can be scary at the same time, depending on who you are.

In any case, Metaverse is already revolutionizing how we do things in medicine, education, and entertainment. What’s surprising is that Metaverse development is still in its infancy, so there is undoubtedly more to come. The technology carries the potential to transform almost every sector of an economy, and shopping is probably coming next with the expected launch of Metamall in April.