Acknowledgments xv
Foreword xvii
Part 1: Get Ready 1
Chapter 1: Predictions 3
Size Matters 6
The Debate 7
Working Definition 8
Forecasts and Theories 9
Trends 10
Characteristics 12
Plan Ahead 15
Notes 17
Part 2: Understanding 19
Chapter 2: Technologies 21
Web3 21
The Spatial Web 24
5G, IoT, and Edge Computing 26
Digital Twins 29
Cloud Computing 30
Headsets and Glasses 32
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning 34
Blockchain 35
Woven Together 36
Notes 37
Chapter 3: The Race Has Begun 41
Pioneers in Virtual Space 43
Labyrinth 43
Second Life 45
Gaming- Verse 46
Roblox 48
Minecraft 49
Fortnite 50
Online Worlds for Sale 53
Infrastructure 55
Interface 56
Big Tech and 3D Content 57
Applications and Experiences 58
Conclusion 59
Notes 60
Chapter 4: New Rules 65
Governments 65
Cryptocurrencies 66
Public Standards Organizations 69
Creators and Communities 71
Disruptors and Academia 74
Deep Tech Start- Ups 75
Universities 76
Notes 77
Contents ix
Part 3: Opportunities 83
Chapter 5: A Great Reset 85
Personal Impact 86
Interpersonal Impact 88
SDGs and the Metaverse 90
Notes 96
Chapter 6: Doing Business in the Metaverse 97
Persistent Wallets 98
Are You Tokenized? 101
Business Models 103
Hybrid Experience Economy 106
New Jobs in the Metaverse 108
Notes 110
Chapter 7: Digitalizing Humans 113
Definitions 115
Facts 116
Creation 117
Embodiment, Presence, and Identity 118
The Real Influence of Virtual Influencers 120
Industry Applications 123
The Issues 125
Notes 128
Chapter 8: Metaversed Markets 133
Industry Applications 134
Art and Performance 134
Advertising, PR, Marketing 139
Retail 146
Gaming 152
Entertainment 154
Production 155
Sports and Fitness 160
Automotive, Aviation, and Aerospace 162
Military 164
Healthcare 166
Hospitality and Tourism 171
Architecture and Real Estate 173
Manufacturing 175
Training and Education 178
New Opportunities 184
Notes 186
Part 4: Challenges 197
Chapter 9: Understanding Reality 199
Seeking New Frontiers 201
Post- Truths in the Metaverse 203
Assumptions 206
A Protocol and an Engine 210
Governance and Access 213
Notes 215
Chapter 10: Privacy and Safety in the Metaverse 219
Data Issues 222
Your Internet of Things 224
Security 227
Social and Emotional 228
Harassment 229
Digital Cloning 230
Hacking 230
Society 231
Children’s Safety 232
Safety Controls 233
Notes 234
Chapter 11: New Rights and Regulations 237
Crypto Scams 238
New Medium and Platform Risks 241
Metaverse Dark Web 242
Challenges and Risks 242
Trust Across Worlds 243
Assess 245
Inform 246
Manage 247
Prevent 247
New Rules for New Ways 248
Notes 252
Chapter 12: The New Humanity 255
The Impact of Data 255
Reality, Digital, Technology 260
IoT (Internet of Things) 260
Wearables 261
Robotics 262
Self- Driving Cars 263
Exoskeletons 264
It’s All Connected 264
Where’s the Line? 265
Singularity 265
Post- Humanism 266
We Don’t Know Yet 269
Notes 270
Part 5: Preparation 273
Chapter 13: Building the Metaverse 275
Start Your Immersion 277
Play Video Games 277
Try Virtual Reality 278
Get Social in VR 279
Try Haptics 279
Try Augmented Reality 280
And, Yes, Crypto 280
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning 281
Wearables 282
Ubiquitous AR Cloud 282
Avatars and Digital Beings 282
Ethics, Trust, and Risks 285
Prepare 287
First Steps in Each Market 289
Art and Performance 289
Advertising, PR, Marketing 289
Retail 290
Entertainment and Music 291
News 291
Events 292
Casinos 293
Adult Entertainment 293
Sports and Fitness 293
Travel and Tourism 294
Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) and Real Estate 295
Transportation 296
Manufacturing 297
Health 298
Education 299
Governments’ Immediate Challenges 299
Notes 301
Chapter 14: A Toolbox for the Metaverse 303
Predictions 306
Technologies 307
Web3 and Blockchain 307
Spatial Web 309
5G, IoT, and Edge Computing 309
Digital Twins 310
Cloud Computing 310
XR 310
Headsets and Glasses 312
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning 313
Woven Together 314
The Race Has Begun 315
New Rules 316
A Great Reset 317
Doing Business in the Metaverse 317
Digitalizing Humans 318
Metaverse Markets 318
Interoperability 318
Privacy and Safety 319
Rights and Regulations 320
New Humanity 320
Building the Metaverse 321
Next Steps 321
Notes 322
Index 325
Acknowledgments
Major thanks to Nigel Wyatt for creating the opportunity, and to our team at Wiley— Jim Minatel, Melissa Burlock, Pete Gaughan, Patrick Walsh, and Barath Kumar Rajasekaran— for the trust and patience throughout this process. Thanks to all the experts who took the time to contribute their
unique insights to this book. Martina Welkhoff and Amy LaMeyer,for your preface and words of encouragement. Thanks to the inspiring members of our amazing metaverse ecosystem who contributed quotes to the book, namely (in alphabetical order): Alan Smithson, Alex Coulombe, Alina Kadblusky, Alon Grinshpoon, Amber Osbourne, Andres Leon-Geyer, Angeli Gianchandani, Anne
Ahola Ward, Antonia Forester, Antony Vitillo, Ash Richter, Ben Erwin, Brandon Powers, Brendan Bradley, Carla Gannis, Christina Heller, Cortney Harding, Christy Seville, Chris Valentine, Danilo
Castro, David Parisi, Elena Piech, Emily Olman, Gonçalo Prata, Henry Keyser, James Watson, Jan Pflueger, Jason Chung, Jason McDowell, Jesse Alton, Jimmy Vainstein, Joanna Popper, Juliana
Loh, Katie Hudson, Kavya Pearlman, Keisha Howard, Kiira Benzing, Linda Jacobson, Manuel Oliveira, Marco Magnano, Mariia Tintul, Marisa Borsboom, Mark Sage, Nuno Folhadela, Mike Pell,
Rafael Pavon, Regine Gilbert, Richard Ward, Robin White Owen, Sammy Popat, Sarah Hill, Sonya Haskins, Susan Persky, Susanna Pollock, Tupac Martir, Valentino Megale, Veronica Costa Orvalho,
Vince Kadlubek, and Unai Extremo.
