Although it might seem unbelievable to many, the future is slowly but surely evolving into the present. Many of the most significant foundations for technologies so impressive and marvelous that they seem more akin to science fiction are already here and it seems likely that they might become more than mere fantasy in the near future. We have currently developed nanomachines which one day might lead to several breakthroughs in the fields of medicine and industry. Every day, we keep on discovering numerous new facts about our universe that both marvel and astonish us. Also, we are on the cusp of creating fully interactive virtual words we can use to explore and socialize with others to our liking.
Even though some people trace the creation of virtual words all the way back to the first computers, it hasn’t been until fairly recently that we have been able to develop any semblance of a virtual world we can actually feel and interact with using our senses. The development of 3D-Virtual goggles, more reliable internet connections and functioning servers worldwide have allowed many users to fully immerse themselves and socialize with others in an entirely new way. These digital environments are more commonly known as virtual worlds. The gradual development of the internet has allowed for the successful development of reliable and fully customizable digital environments in which people worldwide can join as long as the user possesses the required hardware and software.
There have been many iterations of the concept of virtual reality across the decades, from chat rooms to massive multiplayer online games and environments such as the famed World of Warcraft and Second Life. However, as 3D Virtual technology develops further and evolves, new and wondrous possibilities await those bold enough to grasp them.
Numerous Applications of Virtual Reality
The possibilities of VR are near limitless, only limited by the creator’s resources and imagination. As VR technology continues to develop and evolve, more and more doors continue to open. VR does not merely allow users to connect with one another in a virtual environment; in fact, it can be so much more than that.
Through VR, the borders that separate the physical world from the virtual world are delimited, in fact, programmers have found ways in which both worlds converge with one another. Users can use virtual simulations of their houses to place virtual furniture and check how it would look. Looking for a get-away trip to someplace exotic but cannot afford the price at the moment? VR allows users to explore and travel to distant and famous landscapes such as Angkor Wat or Niagara Falls. Even education could change drastically through VR simulation and programming as biology students could directly interact with a virtual human body replica.
Virtual reality users could also use this remarkable technology for purely ludic purposes. Bettors could enhance their gaming experience by browsing and playing through the best casinos in the UAE in entirely virtual settings. These settings would allow gamers to play a wide range of games such as blackjack, baccarat, poker, or roulette within the environment of their choice with other fellow players in their fully personalized avatars.
The Future of Virtual Reality: The Metaverse and XiRang
The Metaverse is Facebook’s contribution to virtual reality development with numerous projects categorized as part of the Metaverse program such as Horizon Home Horizon Works or Horizon Venues. These different VR programs can be used for socialization, business and leisure. The immersion feeling is enhanced by using the Oculus Quest headset, which makes the user feel like he is indeed inside the digital world itself. Even though it is still in development and will not be considered fully completed until further notice, the principle of using VR tools to provide users with fully digital environments to work, socialize and play is nonetheless a revolutionary concept.
Facebook is not the only company investing heavily in VR social media. China has also countered with its own VR social media platform called XiRang launched by tech giant Baidu. All that’s required to use this platform is to create an avatar and have a registered account at Baidu. Whether it will be Facebook or Baidu, the company that leads the future of the Metaverse, remains yet to be seen.
More importantly than even that, as we further develop VR technology, certain researchers speculate on the possibility of uploading our own consciousness into a VR setting and even being able to create virtual replicas of long-dead figures such as Napoleon Bonaparte, Charles Dickens or even Julius Caesar: Science fiction or inevitable future? Only time will tell.
