Three major challenges in extending virtual reality into the metaverse
The concept of the Metaverse—a vast interconnected digital universe—remains uncertain in terms of its technological architecture
And what it can actually deliver relative to current virtual life reality (SVR) systems, such as in online multiplayer gaming or social When used across platforms, the
Metaverse offers a glimpse of what it can do but these SVR systems remain fragmented, unable to connect to each other which is not difficult.
This separation creates problems with how assets (such as digital objects or avatars) and social interactions take different forms.
By examining the development of the Internet and the World Wide Web, we can expect that some metaverse values may change over time.
However, several key challenges that primarily affect client software (software on users’ devices) need to be addressed.
This article discusses three oft-overlooked but critical challenges for a user-friendly metaverse: connectivity, scalable insights, and accessibility.
1. Communicative communication
Interoperability refers to the ability of systems to work together seamlessly. For the metaverse to function as an integrated digital space, users must be allowed to move freely between virtual worlds and transfer their digital assets and social interactions This requires they perfect how spatial spaces and interactions are defined and managed
Currently, each SVR platform operates as a “walled garden,” meaning that users need different accounts, software, and devices to have different experiences.
A truly interactive metaverse would remove these barriers, creating a more unified water experience.
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However, current efforts typically assume that a single, unified client (such as a web browser for Metaverse) will handle all communication.
This approach limits flexibility and may not support the needs of different platforms and devices.
Instead, Metaverse could benefit from an operating system-like model on the desktop, where multiple applications share a user interface.
This allows different components or roles to contribute to the entire Metaverse experience without a single role having to take care of everything.
2. Scalable Awareness
Scalability in the metaverse means that the system can handle a growing number of users and interactions without performance issues.
A metaverse needs to support both persistent data (like virtual spaces and user information) and real-time interactions between large groups of users.
There are three levels of awareness that help manage user interactions in virtual spaces:
- Primary Awareness: Users are close to each other and can interact directly, such as through detailed animations or voice communication.
- Secondary Awareness: Users are aware of others in nearby virtual spaces, allowing them to connect or travel to these spaces.
- Tertiary Awareness: Users know about the activities of others across the entire metaverse, like knowing when friends are online or active, even if they are in different virtual spaces.
Managing these levels of awareness requires sophisticated systems that can scale efficiently, balancing server loads, and supporting seamless handover of users between servers.
3. Accessibility
Accessibility in the metaverse ensures that everyone, including people with disabilities, can use and enjoy virtual experiences.
Just like operating systems provide built-in tools like screen readers or magnifiers, the metaverse needs similar support to accommodate diverse needs.
For example, users with low vision might need features that make text and objects easier to see, while those with limited mobility might require alternative controls or assistance from other users.
Accessibility can be enhanced by allowing different applications or plugins to modify and adapt the user experience.
Sharing content and experiences can also improve accessibility. For instance, one user could guide another who needs assistance, or immersive experiences could be live-streamed or shared for others to join remotely.
Expanding from current SVR systems to a fully realized metaverse is no easy task. It requires addressing significant challenges like interoperability, scalability, and accessibility.
Rather than relying on a single client or application to handle everything, the future of the metaverse may lie in building smaller, specialized components that can work together.
By applying lessons from the development of the Internet and other distributed systems, we can create a more inclusive, scalable, and interconnected metaverse that serves the needs of all users.
