Metaverse out? Spatial Computing In?

Simplifying emerging technology trends with Shira Lazar. Learn what matters in web3 and AI in under 3 minutes per week.

Author

Shira Lazar
February 11, 2024

I hope you all had a great week and a happy Super Bowl Sunday! I am now flying back home from Panama and am excited to dive into a big story this week and some headlines I’m paying attention to.

The “metaverse” has been the buzzword in tech circles for a while now. But let's be honest, the journey hasn't been all smooth sailing.

We've seen big names like Meta, with their Horizon Worlds, drum up massive hype only to fall short in delivery. And now, with Apple's launch of the Vision Pro, the metaverse conversation has fired up again, sparking both hope and skepticism.

Despite being somewhat underrated in metaverse discussions, Fortnite is a notable exception and is considered to be the true winner in the metaverse race.

What is the difference between VR, the metaverse and spatial computing?

VR (Virtual Reality) immerses you in digital environments. The Metaverse is a shared virtual space for collective interaction. Spatial Computing merges physical and digital realms, connecting VR and AR (Augmented Reality)

What You Need to Know

Fortnite's Metaverse Success: Unlike companies that started with a broad vision of the metaverse, Fortnite built upon an existing, popular game, gradually evolving into a diverse virtual space. This approach gave users compelling reasons to engage, blending entertainment with interactive experiences.

Disney recently invested $1.5 billion in Epic Games to develop an extensive gaming and entertainment universe linked to Fortnite. Following a significant revamp, Fortnite transitioned from a well-known shooter to a diverse mix of experiences, including a Lego survival game and a music festival, kicking off with a large virtual concert.

Competitors' Challenges: Giants like Meta and Disney have struggled to make their metaverse visions appealing, focusing on creating a new internet realm without establishing a compelling entry point for users. Efforts like Meta's Horizon Worlds and Disney's initial metaverse attempts haven't resonated as strongly.

Why Fortnite Leads: Fortnite has effectively combined gaming with a variety of experiences, from virtual concerts to art galleries, keeping the platform's core as a popular game. Its strategy of slowly integrating metaverse elements has kept users engaged and returning for more, unlike competitors who aimed for a rapid overhaul or didn't provide a clear value proposition.

🔥Hot take: A lot of metaverse tech might be innovative and cool, but unfortunately, it won’t break through if there’s no community. While gaming and Gen Alpha (those born between 2010-2024) seem to be an entryway for major engagement, it will be interesting to see how these platforms use that, and then pop culture as a jumping off point for mass adoption.

Shira Lazar

Other Metaverse brands to look out for!

- Decentraland: A fully decentralized metaverse governed by its users, focusing on virtual real estate and community-driven development.

- Metahero: Utilizing blockchain to bring 3D scanning and modeling to gaming, e-commerce, and healthcare, enabling realistic digital avatars.

- Meta Horizon Workrooms: Offers a virtual office space for collaborative work, presentations, and brainstorming, accessible via Meta Quest headsets or online.

- Microsoft Mesh: Focused on enterprise, enhancing online meetings and events with immersive experiences, integrated with Microsoft Teams.

- InnerWorld: A safe, virtual community focused on mental health tools. Accessible for free on VR, desktop, or mobile.

- Nvidia Omniverse: Enables the creation of AI-enhanced 3D tools and services, leveraging Pixar's technology and Nvidia's innovations.

- Roblox: A platform for creating and experiencing 3D games and social interactions, with tools for developers and social features for users.

- Sandbox: An Ethereum blockchain-based world where users can create, buy, sell, and monetize digital assets and games.

In other news 

The newly-released Apple Vision Pro offers mixed-reality shopping experiences with apps from brands like J.Crew and Elf Cosmetics.

Napster's new PlaylistGPT feature integrates ChatGPT and DALL·E, enabling users to create AI-curated playlists with custom titles and artwork.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman aims to raise $7 trillion for an AI hardware venture, surpassing global chip sales.

I’m bullish on… Boys Club

Boys Club is a female-led social club and media company launched in 2023 that aims to attract new people to Web3. Launched by Natasha Hoskins and Deana Burke, it's also a social DAO that encourages new voices to make their mark on the internet by building, networking, and creating together.

Look out for the Boys Club at upcoming events like EthDenver and SXSW.

Positive Affirmation:

I remind myself often: Even when things don't go my way or frustrations arise, I've got this. Everything eventually falls into place.

We're looking for brands to share with The Alpha. If you’ve got a product or service you think we’d love, let us know!👇

Remember, I'm Bullish on you!

With gratitude,