[Lee Myung-ho's Future Preview] Metaverse, the Infinitely Expanding Virtual World

Advancements in VR·AR Technologies... Interaction with the Real World
Metaverse Platforms Evolve into Economic Activity Spaces
Development of Work and Service Spaces... Integrated Spaces Feel Real Like Reality

Digital (computers and the internet) is also referred to as online or cyber. It signifies virtual entities (bits, content, software, programs, networks, spaces) that are perceptible but intangible, distinct from the physical world. In this digital realm, which existed as a concept separate from reality, encounters, interactions, convergence, and integration with the real world are intensifying. Interest in Cyber Physical Systems, Digital Twins, and the Metaverse is growing, with an increasing number of products and services emerging. Although not a new concept, recent advancements in VR (Virtual Reality), AR (Augmented Reality), and immersive Head-Mounted Display (HMD) technologies, alongside the development of Artificial Intelligence (AI), have enabled real-time simulations that interact with the physical world. Cyber life is becoming more similar to reality, and through the fusion and interaction of the real and virtual, smart manufacturing, smart homes, and smart cities are becoming intelligent physical entities and spaces.

The claim that the advancement of computing (digital) technology brings changes to space has been made for a long time. William Mitchell argued in his 1999 book, City of Bits, that electronic space is a city composed of bits. This refers to the realization of cyberspace through the advent of the internet.

People transcend the constraints of physical space in the virtual world, communicating in real-time, running programs, and projecting their existence into another world. In the virtual world, one acts as a completely different entity (avatar). Moreover, in cyberspace, one creates multiple characters, or alternate personas, in the Metaverse. Much of the day shifts into cyberspace, which begins to feel like the actual world one lives in. The world of the Metaverse has opened. The term Metaverse, a compound of “meta” meaning “transcendence” and “verse” meaning “world” or “universe,” can be described as cyberspace increasingly projecting the real “self.” The virtual world is becoming more like the real world.

Game platforms such as Minecraft (with cumulative sales of 200 million copies), Roblox (150 million users), Fortnite (350 million users), and Zepeto (200 million users) are expanding into spaces for daily life and communication, evolving the Metaverse into a platform where virtual and reality converge and interact. Fortnite operates separate spaces for competitive gaming, called Battle Royale, and for socializing and cultural activities, called Party Royale. Zepeto and titles like Animal Crossing: New Horizons specialize in social and living spaces, further developing their platforms.

As a result, content is no longer unilaterally supplied by platform providers; participants exchange various objects they create directly in virtual spaces, enabling multisensory experiences and simulations. Fortnite has hosted virtual concerts by famous singers through Party Royale. Zepeto has held virtual entrance ceremonies, graduations, new employee training, idol music video releases, and fan sign events. Metaverse platforms are evolving from gaming and cyber life into spaces for economic activities. Fortnite’s virtual concert by singer Travis Scott in Party Royale achieved sales approximately ten times higher than offline events. On Zepeto, user-created items account for over 80% of total item sales, with 7,000 to 8,000 new outfits created daily. A market for cyber content has emerged.

The Metaverse is developing into a space where work and services take place. Facebook announced “Infinite Office,” which allows users to work in a virtual office without a PC by simply wearing the Oculus Quest VR device. Microsoft (MS) unveiled the Metaverse collaboration platform Mesh, and Roblox announced plans to evolve into a work platform. Just as documents are placed on a meeting table offline, they can be accessed in virtual meeting rooms. More services beyond work are expected to be provided through the Metaverse.

Devices supporting Metaverse experiences are expanding from 2D displays on PCs, mobiles, and consoles to 3D displays via VR HMDs and AR glasses, and further to wristbands, rings, gloves, and other wearables that utilize body movements and senses, enhancing realism. The physical body becomes the interface, and the real “self” is projected into virtual space, moving beyond mere projection to interactive stages between virtual and reality. Generative Adversarial Network (GAN) AI technology creates virtual images of one’s expressions and actions in real-time with increasing realism. This is evolving into digital twins and digital humans?characters in the virtual world that feel increasingly like oneself or who one aspires to be. The applications of digital humans are expanding into entertainment, distribution, marketing, finance, broadcasting, education, training, and healthcare. In the future, people will expand their living spaces into more realistic virtual environments.

Metaverse technology enables the digital and virtual worlds to be experienced more realistically, while the physical world is increasingly virtualized and simulated through digital twin technology. Within the Metaverse, we live as if in reality, and due to digital twins, reality becomes a virtual replica. Manipulating the virtual replica causes changes in real-world objects. One can live virtually first and then choose and implement real-life actions.

Through digitalization, the real world becomes logic, and spatial reconstruction occurs. Virtual space is not merely a fictitious space perceived by the brain but a space that designs reality. The new space created by the Metaverse and digital twins is not a separate space to choose from but a fused, unified space. A world where dreams are reality and reality is a dream is approaching. Spaces transcending physical and geographical limits are being reconstructed. An era is coming where the space one occupies is the center of the world.

Myungho Lee, Vice President, The Future Society

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.