Metaverse design: Tech companies advance the metaverse’s design

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Metaverse design: Tech companies advance the metaverse’s design

Metaverse design: Tech companies advance the metaverse’s design

Subheading text
Various technology companies are making developments that contribute to the metaverse’s appearance and functions.
    • Author:
    • Author name
      Quantumrun Foresight
    • February 20, 2023

    The metaverse is intended to be a fully-realized online environment encompassing the entirety of the digital world. Technology companies are striving to bring what was once a science fiction concept into an everyday reality, in part, through the creative application of multiple design disciplines.

    Metaverse design context

    Significant work remains before the metaverse can live up to how it has been described in science fiction. Many analysts covering the tech sector forecast that the metaverse will eventually become the central platform for the future of technology, entertainment, and online services. To enable this vision, several technology companies are betting that developing realistic virtual simulations will be a key driver to improve public adoption of metaverse platforms and technologies (like virtual reality headsets). 

    In 2021, developer Epic Games raised $1 billion USD in a new round of funding to support its efforts to build the metaverse. This funding round includes a $200 million strategic investment from Sony, reinforcing the close relationship between the two companies and their goals of advancing technology, entertainment, and socially connected online services. 

    Meanwhile, tech firm Nvidia unveiled Omniverse Enterprise, a subscription software platform for 3D designers to collaborate and work on. The platform allows designers to work simultaneously in a virtual world from any device. Omniverse Enterprise has connectors with applications from Adobe, Autodesk, Epic Games, Blender, Bentley Systems, and ESRI, allowing designers to work across multiple formats. Since launching the beta in 2020, Nvidia has seen almost 17,000 users and has worked with 400 companies.

    Disruptive impact

    Tech firms are embracing the metaverse to create immersive and interactive user experiences. For example, social media platforms incorporate virtual reality (VR) elements to allow users to visit and explore virtual spaces together. E-commerce companies are also looking to the metaverse to create virtual storefronts and shopping experiences.

    One of the major advantages of designing platforms for the metaverse is the ability to create unique user experiences. There are no physical limitations in the virtual world, so companies can design and build virtually anything they can imagine. Another advantage of the metaverse is the potential for increased collaboration and communication. In a virtual environment, people from all over the globe can work on projects or hold meetings in real-time, regardless of location. This feature can be handy for companies with remote teams or those looking to expand their global reach. 

    However, there are also challenges that tech firms must consider when designing their platforms for the metaverse. One of the biggest roadblocks is the need for high-quality and stable internet connections, which can be challenging in areas with poor network infrastructures. Additionally, there are concerns about security and privacy in the metaverse. As people increasingly spend more time in virtual spaces, personal information can be compromised or misused. Another challenge is the need for user-friendly interfaces and design. The metaverse can be complex and confusing, especially for older generations, so tech firms must ensure that the interfaces of their platforms are intuitive and easy to use.

    Implications of metaverse design

    Wider implications of metaverse design may include:

    • Tech firms and startups releasing increasingly intuitive platforms that allow designers to create highly realistic virtual worlds and avatars.
    • The development of new social norms and interactions based on the user interfaces designed into current and future metaverse environments.
    • Virtual classrooms and online learning platforms being enhanced with immersive and interactive elements, making the learning experience more engaging and interactive.
    • Tech firms collaborating with healthcare providers to offer VR therapy, telemedicine consultations, and remote monitoring to improve patient care and access to medical services.
    • Virtual storefronts and shopping experiences allowing companies to reach a wider audience and offer unique shopping experiences and events.
    • Virtual tours enabling people to explore and experience new destinations without physically traveling, potentially leading to a reduction in the environmental impact of tourism.

    Questions to comment on

    • If you work in user experience or user interface design, how is your company optimizing for the metaverse?
    • How can tech firms ensure their metaverse designs provide greater accessibility for people with disabilities?

    Insight references

    The following popular and institutional links were referenced for this insight: