Technologies expand along with their languages. As the metaverse ecosystem keeps flourishing, so does its vocabulary. It isn\u2019t easy to keep up with all the emerging terms, but here are 20 terms that can function as conversation starters.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Metaverse terms for world-building and real-world reference<\/strong><\/h3>\n#1<\/strong> Mirrorworld<\/strong><\/p>\nA mirrorworld is a digitally rendered representation of the real world. Its objective is to correctly depict the actual world by creating a virtual 1:1 map of it.<\/p>\n
#2 Multiverse<\/strong><\/p>\nFor many, the idea of one single massive virtual world (the<\/strong>\u00a0metaverse) is a utopia. In the metaverse context, Multiverse refers to the notion that we will have many digital worlds that run simultaneously in the future, but all will have their own set of rules.\u00a0<\/p>\n#3 Meatspace<\/strong><\/p>\nThe real world. It can be seen as the predecessor of the acronym IRL, which is a more modern version of referring to things in real life.<\/p>\n
Terms related to decentralization and open internet<\/strong><\/h3>\n#4 Walled garden<\/strong><\/p>\nAn environment controlled by a giant corporation. This term usually refers to big technology companies,\u00a0Facebook, Google, Apple, and Amazon<\/em>, that store data in central servers. It\u2019s the opposite of the open and decentralized internet.\u00a0<\/p>\n#5 Decentralization<\/strong><\/p>\nThe vision for the next generation of the internet is decentralized, where the power doesn\u2019t lie with a handful of central entities but with individuals. Decentralized networks allow permissionless participation, contrary to closed platforms like iOS or Amazon Web Services.\u00a0<\/p>\n
#6 Interoperability<\/strong><\/p>\nDifferent digital worlds can interact with each other seamlessly if they\u2019re interoperable. As a result, users can share data, such as content and assets, on multiple platforms. If the underlying blockchains of different\u00a0metaverses are interoperable<\/a>, we can use NFTs across them, for example.<\/p>\n\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n3D and spatiality-related metaverse terms<\/strong><\/h3>\n#7 Virtual teleportation<\/strong><\/p>\nIt describes the instant transport of things and avatars across space to a remote location. It\u2019s already possible thanks to Virtual Reality technology, allowing users to navigate a digital world without walking long distances.\u00a0<\/p>\n
#8 XR<\/strong><\/p>\nExtended reality (XR) is an all-encompassing term for virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR). The lines between different realities are becoming more blurry, so it\u2019s a more appropriate word for many instances.\u00a0<\/p>\n
#9 Spatial computing<\/strong><\/p>\nAnother broad term that covers many technology areas. It combines any computational method to describe human interaction with surroundings. Spatial computing<\/a> can refer to XR, GPS, the internet of things, and speech recognition.\u00a0<\/p>\n#10 Liminal spaces<\/strong><\/p>\nAs the name suggests, these refer to thresholds or borders between two states. They can indicate the transition phase between physical and virtual realities in a metaverse context. They can also refer to the gates we must go through to access different metaverse levels.\u00a0<\/p>\n
#11 MaaS \u2013 metaverse as a service<\/strong><\/p>\nLike SaaS, MaaS will allow enterprises to leverage a core technology to adapt it to their own circumstances. They can, for example, build 3D spaces tailored for specific team members.\u00a0<\/p>\n
#12 Immersive<\/strong><\/p>\nAny XR experience that teleports us to the third dimension in a digital setting can be interpreted as an\u00a0immersive experience<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nftnewstoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Screenshot-2022-12-22-at-22.42.23.png?resize=800%2C245&ssl=1\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nMetaverse terms that reflect the confluence of physical and digital worlds<\/strong><\/h3>\n#13 Persistency<\/strong><\/p>\nIf a metaverse is persistent, it continues to exist even after we leave it. Persistency is particularly relevant for AR experiences. For instance, in a physical art gallery, we can\u2019t see the augmented experience linked with a painting with the naked eye. However, if we look at the same painting with a smartphone \u2013 or wear\u00a0smart glasses<\/a>, if applicable \u2013 we can observe that it\u2019s there. And if we look at it with the naked eye, it\u2019s gone again, although it continues to exist in the AR application.\u00a0<\/p>\nPersistency is a key concept to building a metaverse that enhances our physical reality instead of becoming an escape from it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
#14 Phygital<\/strong><\/p>\nThis term can indicate any digital experience, asset, place, etc., linked to a physical counterpart, such as a\u00a0physical NFT sneaker<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n#15 Haptics\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\nHaptic technology helps stimulate the sense of touch through sensors that transfer force and vibration.\u00a0<\/p>\n
#16 Telepresence<\/strong><\/p>\nWe can feel as if we were actually present in a remote environment through virtual scenes in a physical environment made possible through XR and haptics. Advanced teleconference systems are examples of telepresence.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Identity and self-expression related terms<\/strong><\/h3>\n
A mirrorworld is a digitally rendered representation of the real world. Its objective is to correctly depict the actual world by creating a virtual 1:1 map of it.<\/p>\n
#2 Multiverse<\/strong><\/p>\n For many, the idea of one single massive virtual world (the<\/strong>\u00a0metaverse) is a utopia. In the metaverse context, Multiverse refers to the notion that we will have many digital worlds that run simultaneously in the future, but all will have their own set of rules.\u00a0<\/p>\n #3 Meatspace<\/strong><\/p>\n The real world. It can be seen as the predecessor of the acronym IRL, which is a more modern version of referring to things in real life.<\/p>\n #4 Walled garden<\/strong><\/p>\n An environment controlled by a giant corporation. This term usually refers to big technology companies,\u00a0Facebook, Google, Apple, and Amazon<\/em>, that store data in central servers. It\u2019s the opposite of the open and decentralized internet.\u00a0<\/p>\n #5 Decentralization<\/strong><\/p>\n The vision for the next generation of the internet is decentralized, where the power doesn\u2019t lie with a handful of central entities but with individuals. Decentralized networks allow permissionless participation, contrary to closed platforms like iOS or Amazon Web Services.\u00a0<\/p>\n #6 Interoperability<\/strong><\/p>\n Different digital worlds can interact with each other seamlessly if they\u2019re interoperable. As a result, users can share data, such as content and assets, on multiple platforms. If the underlying blockchains of different\u00a0metaverses are interoperable<\/a>, we can use NFTs across them, for example.<\/p>\n #7 Virtual teleportation<\/strong><\/p>\n It describes the instant transport of things and avatars across space to a remote location. It\u2019s already possible thanks to Virtual Reality technology, allowing users to navigate a digital world without walking long distances.\u00a0<\/p>\n #8 XR<\/strong><\/p>\n Extended reality (XR) is an all-encompassing term for virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR). The lines between different realities are becoming more blurry, so it\u2019s a more appropriate word for many instances.\u00a0<\/p>\n #9 Spatial computing<\/strong><\/p>\n Another broad term that covers many technology areas. It combines any computational method to describe human interaction with surroundings. Spatial computing<\/a> can refer to XR, GPS, the internet of things, and speech recognition.\u00a0<\/p>\n #10 Liminal spaces<\/strong><\/p>\n As the name suggests, these refer to thresholds or borders between two states. They can indicate the transition phase between physical and virtual realities in a metaverse context. They can also refer to the gates we must go through to access different metaverse levels.\u00a0<\/p>\n #11 MaaS \u2013 metaverse as a service<\/strong><\/p>\n Like SaaS, MaaS will allow enterprises to leverage a core technology to adapt it to their own circumstances. They can, for example, build 3D spaces tailored for specific team members.\u00a0<\/p>\n #12 Immersive<\/strong><\/p>\n Any XR experience that teleports us to the third dimension in a digital setting can be interpreted as an\u00a0immersive experience<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n #13 Persistency<\/strong><\/p>\n If a metaverse is persistent, it continues to exist even after we leave it. Persistency is particularly relevant for AR experiences. For instance, in a physical art gallery, we can\u2019t see the augmented experience linked with a painting with the naked eye. However, if we look at the same painting with a smartphone \u2013 or wear\u00a0smart glasses<\/a>, if applicable \u2013 we can observe that it\u2019s there. And if we look at it with the naked eye, it\u2019s gone again, although it continues to exist in the AR application.\u00a0<\/p>\n Persistency is a key concept to building a metaverse that enhances our physical reality instead of becoming an escape from it.\u00a0<\/p>\n #14 Phygital<\/strong><\/p>\n This term can indicate any digital experience, asset, place, etc., linked to a physical counterpart, such as a\u00a0physical NFT sneaker<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n #15 Haptics\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Haptic technology helps stimulate the sense of touch through sensors that transfer force and vibration.\u00a0<\/p>\n #16 Telepresence<\/strong><\/p>\n We can feel as if we were actually present in a remote environment through virtual scenes in a physical environment made possible through XR and haptics. Advanced teleconference systems are examples of telepresence.\u00a0<\/p>\nTerms related to decentralization and open internet<\/strong><\/h3>\n
3D and spatiality-related metaverse terms<\/strong><\/h3>\n
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nMetaverse terms that reflect the confluence of physical and digital worlds<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Identity and self-expression related terms<\/strong><\/h3>\n