Curious about the mighty metaverse? The promised virtual reality platform may still take years to be fully developed, but it has already convinced millions to be the future of the Internet.
Since it offers a new world where users can explore and interact with 3D content, it has a lot of potential for entertainment and businesses. Whether you want to get a piece of the pie or just explore a fun realm, take the first step by learning how to access the metaverse.
We'll explain everything you need to know about the digital wonderland, including the popular means to access it and what applications and gear you need to use.
What Is Metaverse?
Metaverse is a multi-platform virtual reality world where users can explore, work, create, play, and buy products and services. You can use it for social networking, gaming, hanging with others, attending events, and other things.
The goal of the metaverse is to replace reality or augment it with 3D simulation, which will help reduce social isolation and make interactions more immersive.
Many companies have already started developing platforms, games, and programs for the metaverse. Facebook also rebranded itself to Meta in 2021, clearly indicating its future direction.
How to Access Metaverse: Eight Platforms
A full-fledged metaverse will take around 10 to 15 years to be materialized. It won't be a single product but a set of virtual spaces built by multiple companies.
Think about the Internet. It offers a connected experience developed by millions of entities. Metaverse will be something like that, and its sustenance won't depend on a single organization.
So, how do you get your way into the metaverse? Well, several standalone platforms offer access to the vast digital universe. Some of the most famous names are:
- Decentraland
- Second Life
- Horizon Worlds
- Cryptovoxels
- The Sandbox
- AltspaceVR
- Meta Accounts
Decentraland
Decentraland is a browser-based virtual reality platform that gives users a glimpse of a fully-developed metaverse. Users can play games, make friends, join exciting events, or explore the virtual world.
Install the Meta Mask Extension Browser on your device (ideally a laptop or desktop because mobile devices still cannot offer the whole experience). Create your avatar and begin your journey. The starting point is Genesis Plaza, from which you can start exploring or teleport yourself to any location you want.
Decentraland is also unique because it uses its own cryptocurrency (MANA) to pay for items and services inside the platform. With these coins, you can purchase lands, NFTs, and artwork and get access to concert halls, casinos, and galleries built by other users.
Second Life
Second Life is an old player in the metaverse realm. Linden Lab launched the multimedia platform on June 23, 2003.
Unlike many other virtual worlds, Second Life is community-driven, mainly featuring user-generated content. It allows for an open environment where users (known as residents in that world) can interact in various ways.
There are hundreds and thousands of virtual experiences that you can explore. You can create virtual hangout spaces and join the communities that you like. If you are a shopaholic, you will love the marketplace listing millions of products.
Horizon Worlds
Horizon Worlds is Meta's VR app for Oculus, released in December 2021. You can count it as Meta's first step into the metaverse.
The exciting new platform offers limitless possibilities for virtual reality fans of all ages. It allows users to explore Meta-created experiences and spaces built by communities.
Users can create their own VR spaces and invite other users to play or hang out there. It aims to be a creator-based platform, encouraging users to build more spaces and develop new games through available features and templates.
After opening the app, you will get three options: playing games, attending events, and hanging out.
Choosing the "game" option lets you play games with others or compete in challenges (either solo or with friends). There are also plenty of happening events to participate in, or you can simply meet new people and interact with them by using the "hang out" option.
Overall, Horizon Worlds is a fun way to explore the world of virtual reality. It's easy to access, simple to use, and offers infinite customizable options—so anyone can get started immediately.
Cryptovoxels
Cryptovoxels is a new virtual world that runs on the Ethereum blockchain. It's designed to be used with the Oculus Quest and Oculus Rift devices and the HTC Vive.
The platform allows users to explore a 3D environment that's completely unique and customizable. You can purchase parcels of land by using Ethereum and build anything on them, from houses to castles or other structures.
The land itself is an NFT (non-fungible token), which can be traded or sold just like any other item on the blockchain. This makes it a very secure and convenient way to invest in virtual property.
The Sandbox
Are you an artist or online content creator who wants to know how to access Metaverse? If yes, you should definitely check out the Sandbox.
The community-driven platform is primarily dedicated to creators, gamers, and artists. It runs on the cryptocurrency system and allows users to earn money from their voxel assets and gaming skills.
Anyone having a cryptocurrency wallet can create a Sandbox account. Connect your wallet to the Sandbox account to complete the registration. You can earn SAND tokens and other rewards by playing games and participating in competitions.
After making enough SAND tokens, you can spend them on buying land. The property here is NFTs; you can use them any way you want.
AltspaceVR
Microsoft brings AltspaceVR for gamers to have a metaverse experience. You can aptly call it a social experience app since it allows gamers to connect across various realms. It has users from around the world, so the platform offers quite a cosmopolitan vibe.
AltspaceVR is a safe space for different types of communities. Whether you are looking for metalheads or dirt bike enthusiast groups, you will find one. There are many experiences to dive into, so you will never feel bored.
Meta Accounts
Mark Zuckerberg announced on July 7, 2022, that he would start rolling out Meta accounts from August 2022. You can use it to access your Oculus account and VR headsets, and its functionality will gradually be extended to access other Meta devices.
Every account holder has to create a Meta Horizon profile, which will be your social profile on various platforms and devices. You can set up your avatar, profile name, and other details. It will work somewhat like Instagram on the Oculus platform.
Cerebrum Progressus (formerly PandaMR)
Cerebrum Progressus (formerly PandaMR) is another virtual reality platform that offers users a chance to explore the metaverse. It allows users to create and explore virtual spaces. The platform provides a variety of personal and public spaces and specialized districts for businesses, education, art, and entertainment.
The platform is a browser-based virtual environment requiring no additional software downloads. Cerebrum Progressus (formerly PandaMR) offers an extensive feature of avatar creation with numerous changeable elements. Every element of the avatar can be customized, allowing the user to create a truly unique and detailed virtual self for true immersion. The avatars’ smooth and live-like animations with a handful of emotions are the additional benefits that the platform is offering.
The public virtual spaces are created by Cerebrum Progressus's (formerly PandaMR) team or partners and each of them offers a different and unique experience. The personal space is available for free for every user to decorate, furnish, and share with friends. Decorating and customizing the space is very easy and intuitive, with options to add decorations from the platform’s library as well as add your own items by uploading straight to the metaverse.
Whether you're looking for a place to socialize, learn, or do business, Cerebrum Progressus (formerly PandaMR) has something to offer. And with its specialized districts, you can be sure you're getting the best possible experience for your needs.
Instruments Needed to Access Metaverse
So, you've learned about the suitable platforms for how to access the metaverse. However, joining them alone is not enough to experience the virtual world. You will still need some compatible gear to enter these worlds and enjoy the whole experience.
The Oculus Quest 2 VR headset is the best device for exploring virtual worlds. It's a highly advanced version of the Oculus Quest. The headset, equipped with cutting-edge technology and features, offers unmatchable immersive experiences in the virtual reality world.
They are also the HP Reverb G2, Sony PlayStation VR, and Valve Index headsets. All these devices use sensors to register your movements and replicate them inside the app.
You can also use VR glasses like HoloLens 2 or Lenovo Think Reality A3 to get into metaverse worlds.
Final Words
The digital fantasy world of the metaverse has been an extensive craze since its early days. It is still yet to gain mainstream adoption and acceptance, but its potential to deliver a seamless user experience is not lost on anyone.
Try our suggested platforms to explore the new digital dimension and learn how to access the metaverse. They constantly take innovative steps to enhance the user experiences, add new features, and improve their virtual worlds' overall quality.
Cerebrum Progressus (formerly PandaMR) offers the most immersive virtual experience, with personal spaces and specialized districts for four industries. Join the professionals who already operate in the metaverse and enjoy all the benefits that come with it! We hope you'll enjoy your virtual adventures as much as we do!