Commercial metaverse to expand fast but unevenly

Significance

Although the metaverse is in its early days, the enabling technologies are approaching a convergence point where some large companies are starting to experiment with it both as a marketplace for their goods and services and as a means to operate and support their business.

Impacts

• The metaverse's success will require continuing investment in more powerful cloud computing and networks.
• The weight and size of AR and VR headsets will eventually shrink to something similar to a pair of spectacles.
• Cheap 3D product scanning and other AR-as-a-service tools will be needed to grow the cadre of merchants who can sell in the metaverse.
• Direct-to-avatar (D2A) will become a mainstream retail channel.
• Regulatory scrutiny of antitrust risks in the metaverse economy is gathering pace.