The Metaverse and the Future of Gaming
Gaming has come a long way since ‘Pong’, the first arcade video game, was introduced in the early ’70s. Fifty years later, the gaming industry continues to evolve alongside emerging technologies in a way that influences dozens of other sectors and fuels further innovation. Currently, interest in the burgeoning Metaverse is drastically changing how developers and users approach gaming. In this article, we’ll discuss the relationship between the Metaverse and the gaming sector and explore how enterprises can harness the potential of this new frontier.
What is the Metaverse?
The Metaverse is a term used to describe an interactive, immersive and wholly virtual environment. It’s a world that exists on the internet and is available to anyone that wishes to join online. It’s kind of like ‘Second Life’, ‘Sims’ or ‘Animal Crossing’ in that you can create a digital avatar and navigate them through different activities on your behalf. The Metaverse however, is integrated with several cutting-edge technologies such as VR (Virtual Reality), AR (Augmented Reality) and Blockchain to provide a more realistic, 3D experience.
The Metaverse is designed to create a new paradigm wherein physical and virtual worlds are combined, creating spaces for users to socialize, shop, work and play with each other. In other words, it’s the future of the internet.
Metaverse and Gaming
The Metaverse is expected to attract a whole new generation of gamers. Users will be able to play popular games like Fortnite, but also use it as a space to interact with friends and play games like Pictionary and Charades in a simulated, shared environment.
Unlike traditional gaming, where users play individually or with friends, the Metaverse will enable gamers to play with worldwide users in new and exciting ways. As mentioned earlier, the Metaverse is powered by several emerging technologies to facilitate heightened game-play experiences. AR technology creates real-time interaction between players, 3D visualizations of objects and merges physical and virtual realities. While VR offers players sensory experiences that replicate realistic environments.
Blockchain technology enables users to exchange virtual currencies like NFTs (non-fungible tokens) and cryptocurrencies in play-to-earn games. Users can use these currencies to purchase or exchange game resources like weapons, characters or skins or sell their assets to earn real-life money.
While VR technology requires specialized equipment, users can access AR with any camera-enabled device, and blockchain can be easily unlocked through the internet. This means almost any gamer can enjoy these innovations, creating a broad and diverse customer base for developers.
Working with Cloudscene
To establish a viable presence in the Metaverse, gaming companies can tap into the following services:
- Edge Data Centers: Edge data centers are smaller facilities that use cloud connectivity to deliver data to customers close by. Developers can establish a network of edge data centers to mitigate latency and ensure that all users can enjoy a seamless VR or AR experience, regardless of location.
- Internet Service Provider (ISP): Partnering with a high-capacity ISP enables gaming companies to instantly transfer data to customers and employees around the world.
- Partner with a Managed Service Provider (MSP): MSPs can help developers to set up multi-cloud connectivity for increased security, greater bandwidth and end-to-end data management. MSPs are largely beneficial to any enterprise looking to establish Blockchain technology.
Cloudscene is a free digital procurement platform that helps network buyers search, find and connect with telecom providers. Gaming enterprises can use Cloudscene to procure various telecom services such as rack colocation, cloud connectivity, cybersecurity, ethernet, dark fibre, wavelength, IP transit and internet access.
Simply outline your requirements, and we’ll connect you with a provider that’s right for your business. Want to learn more? Get in touch with our friendly team to explore the platform and see how we can help your team save time and money on network services.