Although the concept of a virtual reality platform has existed for decades, the idea of a VR platform, the Metaverse, that allows people to interact socially, share their experiences, and change their environment in real-time is relatively new.
In the context of the conversation about the Metaverse, one of the most controversial topics to have emerged has been the concept of “walled gardens.” Such a construct could allow companies to build virtual worlds and communities that are closed off from those built by other firms.
Why Do We Need an Open Metaverse?
An open Metaverse means that the internet itself won’t be run by one centralized authority. Instead, the information on the web will be stored in a network of different blockchains, each run by its own independent group of people and computers.
You might think that is already happening because, right now, many websites are run on blockchain-like tech. These sites offer you ways to create, manage, and store information in a safe way that is not tied to any single entity or organization. Such technology will bridge the open Metaverse.
An open Metaverse will allow users to jump freely between systems and platforms and bring their identity, assets, and preferences seamlessly anywhere. Want to play another game but still in the same digital mansion that you built? Bring your favorite virtual pet to a virtual concert, then to your friends’ virtual house, then to a virtual movie? These will only be possible with an open Metaverse.
The metaverse is still far away from achieving a fully realized state. And while we can anticipate some of the challenges that lie ahead, it remains to be seen whether they can be overcome. Regarding fostering an open culture, the biggest challenge will be achieving it when the tech giants have a penchant for locking users into their platforms.
It’s too early to say how tech companies will continue to roll out their versions of the metaverse and to what extent they will achieve the goal of interoperability and openness. However, it seems to be a common goal for small startups and bigger companies alike.
Bottom Line
The importance of monitoring how the technology develops and who owns it cannot be overstated. As the technology grows, so may its impact. If it is too closed, it could pose a threat to privacy and freedom where we’re unlikely to see the Metaverse becoming owned by the public; instead, it might end up again being controlled by a small number of private entities, just like AOL and Facebook.
Implementing the necessary changes to the current business model and technology will take time. Even so, if the tech industry can avoid creating a closed ecosystem of proprietary content, then there is hope for the future. In the meantime, the idea of interoperability and of bringing together the experiences of competing companies should remain an aim, however hard it may be to achieve.