The Metaverse: And How It Will Revolutionize Everything

The term "Metaverse" is suddenly everywhere, from the front pages of national newspapers and the latest fashion trends to the plans of the most powerful companies in history. It is already shaping the policy platforms of the US government, the European Union, and the Chinese Communist Party.

But what, exactly, is the Metaverse? As pioneering theorist and venture capitalist Matthew Ball explains, it is a persistent and interconnected network of 3D virtual worlds that will eventually serve as the gateway to most online experiences, and also underpin much of the physical world. For decades, these ideas have been limited to science fiction and video games, but they are now poised to revolutionize every industry and function, from finance and healthcare to education, consumer products, city planning, dating, and well beyond.

Taking us on an expansive tour of the "next internet," Ball demonstrates that many proto-Metaverses are already here, such as Fortnite, Minecraft, and Roblox. Yet these offer only a glimpse of what is to come. Ball presents a comprehensive definition of the Metaverse before explaining the technologies that will power it--and the breakthroughs that will be necessary to fully realize it. He addresses the governance challenges the Metaverse entails; investigates the role of Web3, blockchains, and NFTs; and predicts Metaverse winners and losers. Most importantly, he examines many of the Metaverse's almost unlimited applications.

The internet will no longer be at arm's length; instead, it will surround us, with much of our lives, labor, and leisure taking place inside the Metaverse. Bringing clarity and authority to a frequently misunderstood concept, Ball foresees trillions of dollars in new value--and the radical reshaping of society.

ISBN-13: 9781324092032

Media Type: Hardcover

Publisher: Liveright Publishing Corporation

Publication Date: 07-19-2022

Pages: 352

Product Dimensions: 6.00(w) x 9.10(h) x 1.30(d)

Matthew Ball is an entrepreneur; angel investor; film, TV, and video game producer; and national and international best-selling author. He has written for the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, and Time. Ball lives in Toronto, New York City, and Miami.

Table of Contents

Introduction ix

Part I What is the Metaverse?

Chapter 1 A Brief History of the Future 3

Chapter 2 Confusion and Uncertainty 18

Chapter 3 A Definition (Finally) 29

Chapter 4 The Next Internet 60

Part II Building the Metaverse

Chapter 5 Networking 71

Chapter 6 Computing 89

Chapter 7 Virtual World Engines 103

Chapter 8 Interoperability 121

Chapter 9 Hardware 141

Chapter 10 Payment Rails 164

Chapter 11 Blockchains 207

Part III How The Metaverse Will Revolutionize Everything

Chapter 12 "When Will the Metaverse Arrive? 239

Chapter 13 Meta-Businesses 250

Chapter 14 Metaverse Winners and Losers 269

Chapter 15 Metaversal Existence 290

Conclusion Spectators, All 305

Acknowledgments 311

Notes 313

Index 323