AR is Half-Metaverse

TL;DR

The Metaverse is rapidly approaching with advances in technology, particularly in the areas of avatar mapping and AI-generated environments. However, there are still hurdles to overcome in terms of creating a truly immersive experience.

Yesterday, I was completely blown away by the latest updates for the Unreal Engine and Meta Human, bringing the metaverse closer to reality than ever before.

Epic Games released Meta Human Animator (video) and showcased Real-Time Facial Model Animation, which allows actors' faces to be mapped onto avatars within minutes using an iPhone. This technology has completely transformed the performance capture process, making it happen in real-time rather than taking months. Performance capture is the technology that captures the movements and expressions of actors or performers and translates them into computer-generated characters or animations.

It's definitely a stepping stone towards real-time avatars, and it's clear that Epic Games is on the path to dominating the metaverse.

Speaking of which, I gotta give a shoutout to Epic Games. I'm a huge Fortnite fan even though I'm not the best player :)

The second thing that got buzzing is the Unity AI Beta Program (video). The program promises to integrate AI prompts into the game engine, allowing for real-time 3D character and environment generation - exactly what the metaverse needs. Although Unity has yet to release any further information, the possibilities are endless, from virtual worlds where people can socialise and collaborate, to online gaming experiences that blur the lines between reality and fiction.

I believe the future of top-tier games like Fortnite is personalised AI immersive storytelling. Every game play will be a unique experience (read more).

However, there is still work to be done in terms of creating a sense of presence and interaction that feels as close to real life as possible. Achieving this requires advances in technology and a deep understanding of human psychology and behaviour.

I previously believed that Augmented Reality (AR) was going to be stronger than virtual reality (VR), but now I can see that both will be good for different things. The full VR immersion and experience for gameplay, and half AR immersion for real world integrations. AR is half-metaverse :)

The potential of the metaverse is immense. It has the power to transform the way we interact with each other, work, and play. As technology continues to advance, we can expect even more exciting developments in the metaverse space. For those willing to explore the possibilities of this emerging technology, the future is bright.

If you want to talk, DM me on twitter @_metalPig