META... WHAT?

Imagine you are sitting in your living room, you put on some glasses, and you automatically teleport to a totally different digital world. Well, this is exactly what the Metaverse is all about.

There is no doubt that technology is becoming increasingly accessible, thanks in part to those new generations that are driving a digital transformation, developing innovative solutions and adopting new trends while influencing consumer habits. We live in an era in which connecting with anyone from anywhere in the world just takes several seconds.

The line between the real and the virtual is blurring more than ever with the aim of creating totally immersive experiences so that we feel part of a universe beyond the one that we know nowadays thanks to the Metaverse. A concept that you are probably already familiar with and that from LogiCommerce we want to make reference to, especially because of how it can accelerate the evolution of eCommerce.

What is Metaverse?

Imagine a world where you can be whatever you want, go wherever you want and do anything you want. This is the promise of the Metaverse, a digital universe without time and space limits, in which you can interact with others through an avatar and live truly immersive experiences.

The Metaverse is a virtual world where we will be able to connect, thanks to real-world devices such as virtual reality glasses and even gloves or other sensors, to register our real movements and facial expressions.

It is not a fictitious world, but an alternative reality where we can go shopping, have a coffee and even work in a virtual office, no matter where you are.

We could say that it is a project that is still being developed, but it is expected to be a revolution in the way we interact with others and our environment. For the moment, the closest thing to the Metaverse is what we have seen in movies like Ready Player One or video games like Fortnite.

What could be done in the Metaverse?

The general idea is that it works in the same way or very similar to the real world.

• Work: one of the main goals of this new concept is to become a workplace where, for example, people can meet in virtual spaces as if they were doing it physically, but from their own armchair at home.
• Enjoyment: the avatars of the Metaverse will be able to attend concerts, exhibitions, amusement parks and other events without having to wait for long queues or physically move several kilometers to enjoy them.
• Play: a way to push video games to the next level by offering infinite universes and fully immersive experiences.
• Buying: although most society already buys online, the Metaverse goes one step further. Your avatar will be able to try on and buy clothes, as well as to interact with the vendor just as in real life, so that shopping experiences can be much closer and more personalized.
• Socialize: a new approach where your avatar will be able to interact "humanely" with other avatars, even hugging, clapping or looking into each other's eyes.

Pillars of the Metaverse

The Metaverse will represent a new dimension that will make us live amazing experiences in dreamlike places that, until now, have remained simply in the imagination of each person.

Identity

When creating our own avatar, we are free to design the character we want to be. Our "new self". We can choose to be who we are in real life, or we can invent a completely different identity to be who we would like to be. We will be able to decide what our appearance will look like, what kind of role we will play and what kind of personality we will have. And, although, in each of the Metaverses that will exist, you can develop different roles, people will probably opt for a single alter ego that best represents themselves.

Exploration

What if we could enter a virtual world where we could visit any city, world or universe we would like to? In other words, the Metaverse will be a place without physical barriers to exploration and knowledge. For example, you will be able to meet new friends from other countries and even continents, and participate in activities that would normally be more difficult to reach in the real world. Overall, the Metaverse is an exciting prospect that has the potential to change the way we interact with each other and the world around us.

In each Metaverse, you will find different worlds with their own story, which you can choose to participate in or simply ignore altogether and explore on your own.

Experimentation

The Metaverse is a “living” environment that exists within the digital world. It is more than just a collection of data or a handful of code; it is a complex and constantly evolving ecosystem that responds to the actions and interactions of its users. To truly experience the Metaverse, you have to step away from the traditional web format and explore everything that it has to offer. This can be done by participating in experiences and activities that enliven the Metaverse, such as social interaction, games, and other immersive adventures. By doing so, we can start understanding the real scope of this digital world and what it has to offer.

Ownership

One of the most interesting aspects of the Metaverse is, that apart from owning an avatar associated with our persona, you would be able to have your own virtual land, houses, cars, spaceships, clothes, and, basically, everything that a human-being could own in real life.

From eCommerce to Metacommerce?

The reality is that there is still a lot to be done to make all this possible. However, to understand where the Metaverse is going, there are a few actions that the eCommerce world can already implement today, such as the integration of virtual stores so that users can somehow feel closer to the physical shopping experience. Several stores, such as Ikea, are also implementing augmented reality tools so that anyone who wants to buy, for example, an armchair, can first see how it would look in their own living room.

Here comes the question: what does the future hold for us? It is difficult to predict with certainty, but one thing is clear: users' needs are constantly evolving and brands must be prepared to deal with future technological advances.

At LogiCommerce, we are already working on the first steps to link the platform with the Metaverse.

Màrius Rosell, CEO de LogiCommerce adds "We think that in 10 years, the eCommerce will be Metaverse, or won't be anymore."