Metaverse is a growing social platform based on VR technology. However, there is a difference between Metaverse and virtual reality. Although they are often mistaken as the same thing, their concepts are actually separate. Therefore, this article will be focused on the debate Metaverse vs virtual reality and the key differences between them. Read more, if this is a topic that interests you.

The main differences between Metaverse and virtual reality

The discussion of Metaverse vs. virtual reality should begin with their definitions. While it is possible to explain what the former is, it has no clear-cut definition. It is different with the latter. Steve Bryson writes that ‘Virtual Reality is the use of computer technology to create the effect of an interactive three-dimensional world in which the objects have a sense of spatial presence.’ (1998, p.4) And, while the Metaverse uses VR technology, it is not a virtual reality itself, according to this description, since it also uses other solutions. 

The conclusion that they are not the same may also be based on the observation of some of their features and aspects. Here is the list of the key differences between the Metaverse and virtual reality:

One world vs. many worlds

The first key argument in our discussion of virtual reality vs. Metaverse is the number of worlds. Why is it important? Because Metaverse is not a single environment – it is a platform for many VR worlds. It consists of as many universes as people will prepare. For instance, the Cyber Tokyo project is a separate entity from other Metaverse environments.

Technology

It was already mentioned that Metaverse is a platform for virtual worlds. As such, it indeed uses virtual reality technology. However, there are other solutions used to create the Metaverse: AR, decentralization, connectivity. Virtual reality, on the other hand, is just a world created with the pure use of VR. Therefore, the Metaverse is much more complex.

Experience

There are many environments in the Metaverse that are different from each other. As such, the platform provides a much more compound experience than the standard virtual reality. In the Metaverse, users can modify the surroundings, add their own content, or transfer virtual items from one world to another – NFTs are a great example here. Yet, virtual reality limits the users to only one domain, restricted by its creators. As such, the Metaverse creates much deeper experience – in the future, it might be gradually incorporated into the real world to a level when the border between these two will be barely visible.

Right of possession

Virtual reality does not give you the right to keep anything – it is purely a world created for a certain purpose, but everything inside it belongs to its creators. It is different with the Metaverse – the users may purchase particular virtual goods that become their belongings. The aforementioned Cyber Tokyo is an example of that – in simple virtual reality, purchasing and decorating your own penthouse would not be possible. Perhaps some creators would let the users modify some aspects of their surroundings, yet it would still not be the same as a NFT apartment – in the Metaverse case the person who bought the penthouse knows that it is indeed theirs.

Final thoughts

The conclusion of our discussion of Metaverse vs. virtual reality is simple. The former is a platform with many virtual worlds, where users may purchase and own goods, while the latter is just the act of creating 3-dimensional worlds with the use of VR technology. Therefore, it is clear that the Metaverse is much more complex, and as such has a higher potential.

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