What does the term metaverse refers to?

Question: What does the term metaverse refers to?

The metaverse is a term that describes a virtual world where people can interact with each other and with digital objects using different devices and technologies. The metaverse is not a single place, but a network of interconnected virtual spaces that can be accessed through the internet. The metaverse can be used for various purposes, such as entertainment, education, work, shopping, and socializing.

The concept of the metaverse was first introduced by science fiction writer Neal Stephenson in his 1992 novel Snow Crash, where he imagined a computer-generated universe that people could enter using VR headsets. Since then, the idea of the metaverse has evolved and expanded with the development of new technologies, such as AR, blockchain, and 5G.

The metaverse is not yet a reality, but many companies and organizations are working to create it. Some examples of existing or emerging platforms that are part of the metaverse are Meta (formerly Facebook), Roblox, Fortnite, Minecraft, Decentraland, and Spatial. The metaverse is expected to become the next evolution of the internet and a new way of experiencing the digital world.