What Is the Metaverse?什么是元宇宙？

格里·米列娃 邓梦寒

The term metaverse is a combination of two words， “meta” and “verse”. Meta is a prefix that means beyond or transcending， while verse refers to the universe. The metaverse comprises several 3D worlds where digital versions of people can interact and move from one place to another. Dubbed by many as the “future of the internet”， the metaverse can provide a gateway to provide entertainment beyond online gaming. The metaverse could allow people to work on projects， compete in sports， or watch concerts together on shared virtual platforms.

Science fiction writer Neal Stephenson made popular the word metaverse in his 1992 novel Snow Crash. The cyberpunk novel tells the story of Hiro who is a pizza delivery guy in real life. In the metaverse， Hiro becomes a sword-wielding warrior who aims to save the world from a digital virus called Snow Crash.

Features of the metaverse

The following characteristics give a clearer picture of what a metaverse looks like：

· It is persistent

Events and experiences in the metaverse do not pause， end， or reset， just like in the real world. When a user logs out， everything inside the metaverse will continue to exist and function.

· It is always live

The metaverse and the digital objects inside are experienced in real-time. Any content， experience， or information is accessible at any given time and remains available even when a user logs out of their account.

· It can host an audience of any size

The metaverse brings together millions of users from any part of the physical world. Users can experience an event simultaneously.

· It is interoperable

Digital information and assets are shared across multiple virtual platforms. The same can also be translated into the physical world. For example， a user can purchase an item of clothing for their avatar and use it on different virtual platforms.

· It allows customization

Users can change their avatars or digital identities at any time to showcase their personality or current mood. Content may be designed and created by independent developers and large organizations.

· It has a functioning and sustainable economy

Users can purchase digital goods and services to enhance their Metaverse experience. They can also shop for physical items that can be shipped anywhere they want in the real world.

· It combines the virtual and physical world

The metaverse spans both real-world and digitally created content and experiences.42F13091-10A7-4D00-ACA3-FE6638C6814D

Capabilities of the metaverse

The metaverse aims to provide people a gateway to experience real-world activities in a virtual environment. Below are just some of the activities one can expect upon entering the metaverse.

· Social interaction

Communicating with friends， colleagues， or loved ones is a lot easier in the metaverse. Besides video calls， users can host or attend online events or celebrations like weddings， birthdays， or retirement parties and attend no matter where in the world they are located.

· Shopping

Users can shop for both virtual and physical goods. VR devices and shopping-related software can allow users to try on clothing and accessories or test gadgets and appliances before buying them.

· Business

While business owners and employees can collaborate and work together on projects from anywhere in the world using apps like Zoom and Google Meet， the metaverse brings the experience up a notch by making the interactions more natural.

· Entertainment

The metaverse offers a more immersive experience for the online gaming community， increasing the level of engagement. Virtual platforms can also host sporting events， movie premieres， or music festivals for an unlimited number of users.

For people who want to travel but are unable to because of their busy schedules or because they are recovering from an illness or injury， the metaverse allows users the opportunity to visit different countries without leaving their homes.

Technology devices to access the metaverse

For users to connect to the metaverse， it is ideal to have the following technologies available：

· Strong internet connection access and stream content and applications in real-time

· Devices that can support VR， AR （Augmented Reality）， or MR （Mixed Reality） environments

· Cryptocurrency wallet to facilitate transactions across virtual worlds

Meanwhile， developers must focus on the following technologies to ensure that they bring users an uninterrupted and engaging experience in the metaverse：

· Up-to-the-minute protocols and program languages that will drive and support the metaverse system

· Database management techniques like “sharding” to manage the number of users and prevent server downtimes

元宇宙的英文metaverse是meta和verse兩个单词的合成词。meta是前缀，意为“超出”“超越”，verse指universe，即“宇宙”之意。元宇宙包含多个3D世界，数字虚拟人物可在其中互动和穿行。很多人称元宇宙为“互联网的未来”，它可以为娱乐打开一扇门，通往在线游戏以外更广阔的领域。在元宇宙里，人们可以通过共享虚拟平台合作开展项目、参与体育活动或共赏音乐会。42F13091-10A7-4D00-ACA3-FE6638C6814D

科幻小说作家尼尔·斯蒂芬森1992 年的小说《雪崩》让“元宇宙”成为一个流行词。这部赛博朋克小说讲述了现实生活中的披萨外卖小哥阿弘的故事。在元宇宙里，阿弘化身挥剑的战士，意欲拯救世界免遭数字病毒“雪崩”之害。

元宇宙的特点

以下几个特点更加清晰地展现了元宇宙的面貌：

·持久性

元宇宙中的事件和经历像现实世界中一样，不会暂停、结束或重置。用户退出后，元宇宙里的一切将继续存在和运转。

·实时性

元宇宙和元宇宙里的数字物体都是实时的。用户可以在任何既定时间获取里面的任何内容、体验或信息，即使退出账户，那些东西也仍然在。

·可容纳无穷受众

元宇宙可汇集来自现实世界天涯海角的无数用户。用户可以同时体验一个事件。

·互操作性

数字信息和资产可在多个虚拟平台之间共享，还可以转化到现实世界。比如，用户可以为虚拟世界中的自己购买一件衣服，并在不同的虚拟平台上穿着。

·允许定制

用户可以随时更改自己的虚拟形象或数字身份，展示自己的个性或当前状态。内容可由独立开发人员和大型机构设计和创建。

·拥有运转良好且可持续的经济

用户可以购买数字商品和服务来提升他们的元宇宙体验，还可以购买实物商品，根据自己的需求运送到现实世界的任何地方。

·结合虚拟世界和现实世界

元宇宙包含了现实世界和数字创建的内容及体验。

元宇宙的功能

元宇宙旨在为人们打开一扇门，让人们在虚拟环境中体验现实世界的活动。以下是人们进入元宇宙后可能开展的部分活动。

·社交

在元宇宙中与朋友、同事或亲人交流要容易得多。除了视频通话，用户还可以举办或参加在线活动或庆典，如婚礼、生日或退休派对，无论身在何处都可以参加。

·购物

用户可以购买虚拟商品和实物商品。虚拟现实设备和与购物相关的软件可以让用户在购买前试穿衣服、试戴配饰或试用小工具和电器。

·经商

虽然企业主和员工可以使用 Zoom 和 Google Meet 等应用程序在世界任何地方合作开展项目，但元宇宙可以使互动更加自然，从而将体验提升一个档次。

·娱乐

元宇宙可以为在线游戏社区提供沉浸感更强的体验，提高参与度。虚拟平台还可以为无限数量的用户举办体育赛事、电影首映式或音乐节。

对于那些想要旅行却因事务繁忙或伤病未愈而无法出行的人，元宇宙让用户有机会足不出户游历不同國家。

元宇宙的技术支持

用户如要进入元宇宙，最好具备以下技术：

·强大的互联网连接访问以及实时流式传输内容和应用程序

·可以支持VR（虚拟现实）、AR（增强现实）或 MR（混合现实）环境的设备

·便于在虚拟世界交易的加密货币钱包

同时，开发人员应致力于保障以下技术，确保给予用户不间断且引人入胜的元宇宙体验：

·驱动和支持元宇宙系统的最新协议和程序语言

·诸如“分片”之类的数据库管理技术，管理用户数量并防止服务器宕机

（译者单位：上海交通大学）42F13091-10A7-4D00-ACA3-FE6638C6814D