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ARTICLE · 17 NOVEMBER 2021

What Is The Metaverse?

Gowling WLG
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Following Facebook's announcement of its rebrand to Meta Platforms Inc. or 'Meta', the internet has been flooded with articles and opinions on the 'metaverse' – but what actually is it and how might it be used?

United KingdomMedia, Telecoms, IT, Entertainment
David E. Brennan
David E. Brennan
Sushil Kuner
Sushil Kuner
Danielle Hudspith
Danielle Hudspith
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Following Facebook's announcement of its rebrand to Meta Platforms Inc. or 'Meta', the internet has been flooded with articles and opinions on the 'metaverse' - but what actually is it and how might it be used?

What is the metaverse?

At present, the metaverse is a bit of an abstract concept as it doesn't fully exist yet. The idea is it will be an alternate immersive 3D reality, where every part of your life could be replicated in a digital universe. This could be made up of one or multiple worlds that collaborate and interact, allowing your avatar, or 'digital twin', to work, play, socialise and shop, all in a virtual or augmented reality.

The metaverse is not a concept unique to Facebook, other companies, such as Microsoft, Zoom and Nvidia, are also looking at how they can be part of it. The term metaverse itself originally comes from the 1992 sci-fi novel, Snow Crash. The book is set in a bleak dystopian future where the main character lives between his

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