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[Eddie-Griffin]

https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinio...failed-it-never-even-took?utm_source=rss_feed

Meta’s big bet on the ‘next chapter of the internet’ has not paid off, while Microsoft has dismantled its Industrial Metaverse Core Team and Tencent no longer plans to make the hardware. What went wrong? Last month, The Atlantic magazine’s Megan Garber argued that we were already living in the metaverse. She’s wrong. More recently, The New York Times published a piece forecasting that the next housing boom will take place in the metaverse. It won’t. Nothing will take place there, because it does not exist. It is a concept, a hype-filled hypothesis detached from reality.
In October of 2021, Facebook made a big announcement to the world: the multinational technology conglomerate was changing its name to Meta. The new name was supposed to reflect the company’s expanding ambitions. Facebook was a company designed to conquer social media. Meta, on the other hand, had ambitions of conquering the metaverse, a wholly immersive virtual world facilitated by futuristic avatars and wearable devices.

Last October, the multinational tech colossus established the “Industrial Metaverse Core Team” to help transition the company and its customers into the virtual unknown. Just a few months on, Microsoft has reportedly pulled the plug; the core team has been dismantled.

As I write this, Tencent, one of the biggest tech companies in China and the biggest video game company in the world, is abandoning its plans to create hardware for the metaverse.

What went wrong?

Benjamin Mayo, a tech expert who was one of the very first influential thinkers to ridicule the idea of the metaverse, told me that nobody really wants to enter this brave new world, simply “because the means to access it – the headsets – are unwieldy and fraught with downsides like short battery life, cost, aesthetics and ergonomics”. As for the actual place you can visit, the so-called “metaverse”, it is “low fidelity and there’s not much to do that couldn’t be achieved more efficiently with a video call”.

Moreover, he added, “you also have the closed ecosystem issue where each manufacturer is trying to make their own independent, isolated world. Nothing has critical mass to warrant its existence”. Until all of this changes, Mayo believes the metaverse will remain a fundamentally flawed concept, a “place” that will continue to offer people very few (if any) compelling reasons to invest hundreds of dollars in wearable tech to visit.

By the end of the decade, we were all supposed to be living in the metaverse. In reality, by 2030, according to Mayo, the internet will “probably look very similar to what it looks like today”. The smartphone, not some clunky headset, “will still be the primary device for almost everyone”.
The metaverse may not be completely dead, but it’s certainly far from alive. And, if we’re being honest, that’s probably a good thing for humanity.

There's a good point being made here. The <insertname>verse was supposed to be a new parallel internet and hub for entertainment, social and communication.

But how can you so that if everyone is trying to control the industry with their own vision, their own ecosystems, and their own isolates apps, experiences, and walled headsets?

Downsides like low batter life, comfort, and other flaws are also an issue, but already some headsets like pancake1 and Zucker, want their upcoming/recently launched headsets to be something you wear and don't take off.

But the biggest problem imo, is no one can define what the "metaverse" is, it seems to change based on the person, agenda, and vision, and sometimes with the same person.

I think VR will do better if it abandons this "metaverse" thing and instead tried to foster an competitive and collaborative that had some standardization so more companies can compete, and developers can ut their stuff on multiple devices earning profit along with exclusives, which will bring in more people, and everyone wins.

 

[Magic Carpet]

I've never even watched a youtube video of someone else experiencing it. I've seen one picture of Zuckerburg as a cgi avatar on a tech site and thats it.

 

[nightmare-slain]

I think people should wait until Apple release their headset before calling the metaverse a failure. If it still hasn't took off in 2-3 years then yeah we can call it.

Apple has a habit of selling products and boosting existing markets. Look what they did to the music/mp3 market. The smartphone, tablet and wearable markets with iPhone, iPad, and Watch.

The headset is going to be expensive as fuck this year but 2024 will see a budget headset. If anyone can kick off the metaverse it is Apple. We'll see if it succeeds or fails.

 

[radewagon]

Any "verse" needs to tackle some very practical problems before anything takes off.

1. Portability: Tech needs to be free of wires and shouldn't be tethered to other tech in order to function.
2. Movement: You need to be able to better simulate walking. Without this, it'll always be a non-starter.
3. Motion Sickness: They need to find a way to minimize motion sickness that isn't just that dumb teleporting nonsense.

There is, of course, more than this, but I really think these are the core issues that make virtual worlds a tough sell for the average individual.

 

[ReBurn]

Zuckerberg can't create the metaverse. He's neither a leader nor a visionary. He just bought a VR business from a guy then acted like he made it himself. Him renaming Facebook to Meta was pure ego and none of it earned.

None of the VR companies can create the metaverse, either, because it's not something that is going to come to life in a head mounted display.

 

[jaysius]

Source is "sus" as the kids say.

 

[Drell]

Any "verse" needs to tackle some very practical problems before anything takes off.

1. Portability: Tech needs to be free of wires and shouldn't be tethered to other tech in order to function.
2. Movement: You need to be able to better simulate walking. Without this, it'll always be a non-starter.
3. Motion Sickness: They need to find a way to minimize motion sickness that isn't just that dumb teleporting nonsense.

There is, of course, more than this, but I really think these are the core issues that make virtual worlds a tough sell for the average individual.

Your points are valid, and they are also valid in general for VR games. The problem I see personally, is that, until we get to that point were VR headsets are more than 2 screens in front of your eyes with some motion capture, we'll have the same limits.

Consider me crazy, if you will, but for me, true VR will exist the day our headsets will be these things from science-fiction that simulate the VR inside your brain while you're just lying on your bed, sleeping.

 

[Danjin44]

You dont say.......

 

[CrustyBritches]

I'm a big fan of the Quest 2, but I don't what this metaverse is, nor have I experienced it. I suppose they're talking something along the lines of Ready Player One. Like a unified, open-world internet with virtual presence. That sounds like a fever dream thought up in the throes of a pandemic, and I think it really only makes sense in a global lockdown/prison planet scenario.

The likely "metaverse" to emerge is 5G-connected augmented reality with VR capability. Instead of going into the web, the web comes into reality. The next step after the smartphone which eliminates the constraints of handheld device with a small screen. It's glasses or contacts that can provide on-demand information for anything. For example, the user manual or assembly instructions no longer come in paper form, or a pdf on a phone, but are shown to you in a holographic overlay that can scan parts, show you them, and how to assemble them. Same for cooking, mechanical repairs, schoolwork, or anything really. This would extend to remote or virtual companionship like Joi from Blade Runner 2049. You might buy 2 seats at a sporting event and your AI companion sits next you and makes small talk while you cheer your team on. This further evolves with the brain compute interface.

So yeah, the metaverse isn't an internet world you go into, it's the internet that comes into this world. That's what Facebook and Apple are really chasing: the device that replaces the smartphone.

 

[Husky]

I won't hang out with people who can't disconnect from their phones. I swear to fuck I'm never gonna hang out with someone wearing a VR or AR headset.

 

[Kadve]

RvB demonstrated why projects like this would fail way back in 2004 (!) We simply don't behave the same on the internet like in real life and trying to merge the two just doesn't work.

 

[dezzy8]

I think people should wait until Apple release their headset before calling the metaverse a failure. If it still hasn't took off in 2-3 years then yeah we can call it.

Apple has a habit of selling products and boosting existing markets. Look what they did to the music/mp3 market. The smartphone, tablet and wearable markets with iPhone, iPad, and Watch.

The headset is going to be expensive as fuck this year but 2024 will see a budget headset. If anyone can kick off the metaverse it is Apple. We'll see if it succeeds or fails.

Agreed. If it doesn’t pop off with Apple then we can call it a failure.

 

[Kataploom]

These days people is too quick to call any gimmicky piece of tech "the future"... NFT, VR, Metaverse... next is cloud gaming (this one is way too context dependent to even being available)

 

[Ceallach]

Most people have lives and dont want to just wear a headset with some nonsense for extended periods of time. Its fun for gimmicky games but unwieldy long term. Basic things like checking on your kids, answering messages, snacking, pissing, etc are impeded by having this nonsnse on your head. That's not getting into those who are prone to motion sickness or just don't want to separated from their surroundings.

Literally the only market I see it taking off and becoming so dominant as for it to become a standard is porn for guys.

 

[Tunned]

Wait, this actually launched and was available to try/play...? Oh wait that's right, I don't give a fuck.

 

[DGrayson]

no one cares about the Metaverse.

Most see it for what it is, a shitty virtual world asking you for real money to buy virtual assets that are worthless. Its like shitty DLC/MTX but even worse cause its not fun.

 

[DemonGamerTTT]

The idea that one single company could develop something that would integrate the entirety of the VR space is just outrageous.

From the beginning it was all tech bullshit... It's literally the same as having Facebook as the entire internet, just think about how ridiculous is that.

Games, VR, Webpages, Music, Videos, Pictures... Basically anything that's compose the known internet should never ever be controlled/manteined by a single entity, that's beyond laughable.

 

[Data Ghost]

The 'Metaverse' doesn't exist yet. Like said above, it's a concept of a product where companies would be able to entice its users to part with cash for digital items like sneakers, clothes homes, etc. In other words, a way to extract money from you. If you want an early dip into the beginnings of the Metaverse, get a Quest 2 and try out Meta Horizons. Spoiler: its crap. Sqeaky voices of low detail avatars floating around a low detail environment taking part in janky games and making a menace of themselves once they realise there's not much to do.

Facebook was only as big as it was because any moron could get on there and start posting complete rubbish. All they needed was a cheap android handset or an old computer and they were away. But having to purchase a headset AND look after it so it's not destroyed within a month is way beyond a lot of peoples abilities. many FB users can barely look after themselves. Even if the headsets were free they wouldn't last long. Plus how can they drink and smoke with this 'thing' on their heads which is making them itch and sweat. PLUS what do they do when they lose their temper about something stupid? If they like punching holes in their doors you can be sure the headset is going to be launched into a wall/partner in no time.

I expect Apple will put a more impressive twist on things with their blend of hardware/software/eco system. But it will be an expensive toy/project with an extra sprinkling of Apple tax which they can discontinue if it doesn't take off. Also the more refined sounding Apple Glasses have been put on hold indefinitely so its headsets for the foreseeable future.

The metaverse is going nowhere in my opinion. Companies were jumping on the bandwagon initially because they didn't want to miss out on the next big money maker, but they will drop off one by one and I have no idea where that leaves Meta as a company.

 

[Robb]

… I think most people just went;

, after seeing that picture.

Let it die.

 

[StreetsofBeige]

I'm a big fan of the Quest 2, but I don't what this metaverse is, nor have I experienced it. I suppose they're talking something along the lines of Ready Player One. Like a unified, open-world internet with virtual presence. That sounds like a fever dream thought up in the throes of a pandemic, and I think it really only makes sense in a global lockdown/prison planet scenario.

The likely "metaverse" to emerge is 5G-connected augmented reality with VR capability. Instead of going into the web, the web comes into reality. The next step after the smartphone which eliminates the constraints of handheld device with a small screen. It's glasses or contacts that can provide on-demand information for anything. For example, the user manual or assembly instructions no longer come in paper form, or a pdf on a phone, but are shown to you in a holographic overlay that can scan parts, show you them, and how to assemble them. Same for cooking, mechanical repairs, schoolwork, or anything really. This would extend to remote or virtual companionship like Joi from Blade Runner 2049. You might buy 2 seats at a sporting event and your AI companion sits next you and makes small talk while you cheer your team on. This further evolves with the brain compute interface.

So yeah, the metaverse isn't an internet world you go into, it's the internet that comes into this world. That's what Facebook and Apple are really chasing: the device that replaces the smartphone.

I dont think anyone really knows. To me, it's just a catch phrase involving VR and tossing in as much into it hoping something sticks. And whatever sticks is the metaverse.

The only things I remember about the metaverse are these. I'm sure there's more I missed, but here's what I remember:

1. Zuckerberg social media VR. Basically FB or Second Life on steroids with people making avatars of themselves and hanging out VR style

2. Nadella board room VR. Instead of going to the office or doing Teams meetings, you put on VR goggles, create an avatar and walk around virtual board rooms

3. I dont remember if this was distinctly aimed at the metaverse or just a VR feature, but putting on VR and doing virtual shopping from store rack to store rack. So instead of going to a mall or ordering online on Amazon, you can do this midway point thing and kind of do both at the same time

Out of everything VR related, I think the only thing that is clearly understood is VR gaming. Gamers know the difference between a gamepad TV game and a VR headset game. Gaming is the most obvious draw to VR. So all VR head set makers are hoping gamers will be enough to keep the VR sales and ecosystem alive until all the other stuff like VR social media, VR office life, VR vacations, VR doctor's visits, VR whatever all come alive at a later point.

 

[Kataploom]

no one cares about the Metaverse.

Most see it for what it is, a shitty virtual world asking you for real money to buy virtual assets that are worthless. Its like shitty DLC/MTX but even worse cause its not fun.

As far as it's been shown, it's a boring and bad looking intent of "game"... VR chat or any MMORPG are the actual good versions of that without VR.

There are many problems but many people are willing to sacrifice comfortability for short period of time if they're getting fun or any type of good distraction in return, which metaverse do not offer, that's how we learned to roam on a 3D space or to use twin stick shooter aiming, if there's nothing in return or they just remove stuff from real life in order to make it metaverse only, people won't care about it unless to hate it lol

 

[64bitmodels]

Consider me crazy, if you will, but for me, true VR will exist the day our headsets will be these things from science-fiction that simulate the VR inside your brain while you're just lying on your bed, sleeping.

seems like the best idea since your consciousness is literally whisked away to another reality

but this guy made a video explaining why full dive VR is very unlikely within our lifetimes



this doesnt even address the issue that like shown in SAO your consciousness could EASILY be taken hostage and keep you trapped in a virtual world forever.... normal VR doesnt have this problem because it's a headset you can remove with a simple flick up

we wont be seeing this shit for the next half century and even if we did people would be very wary of it

Which is why making VR headsets thinner, standardizing haptic tech (like suits, gloves, etc) and omnidirectional treadmills are the more FORSEEABLE future, that's the best we'll have for a long time and even then the latter 2 of what i listed is VERY enthusiast especially omnidirectional treadmills which solve the space problem but are also gigantic and a bitch to set up (and you can't entirely do EVERYTHING in them)

 

[SF Kosmo]

The first step to saving this conversation is to stop putting "The" in front of Metaverse, like there's just going to be one. Horizon Worlds is an attempt at a Metaverse, but not a very good one, or even one of the better ones so far. Stuff like VR Chat and Rec Room are honestly further along.

There will be more, and better efforts in the future, but it isn't some singular thing. For now these are just individual games/apps. And Horizon Worlds sucks, but calling that "The Metaverse" or using it interchangably with Metaverses as a concept is just ridiculous.

 

[Kappa]

It never existed.

 

[JCK75]

I love VR, but fuck Metaverse, I go into VR to get away from real people.

 

[Eddie-Griffin]

It's literally the same as having Facebook as the entire internet, just think about how ridiculous is that.

I mean this was not too far from impossible for happening at one point previously. Sure it won't get that close with VR, but still.

 

[Shubh_C63]

I always thought the venture was a concept designed to be perfected in...10-15 years.

VR things can't be brute forced. Slow and steady I would say because that annoying shit is the future.

 

[StereoVsn]

Thing is "metaverse" presumes interoperability between different "worlds". What everyone is building is their own little islands instead, from Meta to Sony to bunch of others.

This is of course not even taking about hardware issues. IMO, we are 4-5 years away at least form anything solid.

 

[DemonGamerTTT]

I mean this was not too far from impossible for happening at one point previously. Sure it won't get that close with VR, but still.

Only if you were a dumb tech illiterate drone...

People that know how to read and research information would never ever have though that "Facebook was the internet itself".

I mean, maybe if you are a boomer that thinks that anything above a simple calculator is "too complex" to use.

 

[gothmog]

VR will take off. It's just not time yet. I remember doing most of what the modern internet is before it took off. It was modems and dealing with slow/clunky interfaces. Once you had browsers and more importantly search engines things took off. VR needs to move beyond being a mobile phone app store and into something that will unify the experience.

 

[Henry Panic]

VR will take off. It's just not time yet. I remember doing most of what the modern internet is before it took off. It was modems and dealing with slow/clunky interfaces. Once you had browsers and more importantly search engines things took off. VR needs to move beyond being a mobile phone app store and into something that will unify the experience.

You're confusing the internet with the web, the web is what made computing take off as a social and communications medium. Outside of cheaper micros most everyday consumers were not common online.

It just so happened to coincidentally take off with Windows 95.