What Is Facebook Metaverse?

The metaverse is a virtual reality (VR) space that enables users to interact with each other inside a computer-generated environment. In 2021, Facebook’s parent company rebranded to Meta, expanding its focus beyond social media to encompass building the metaverse. The Facebook metaverse refers to Facebook's (or Meta's) contribution to the metaverse. It's a virtual reality-based social platform. Meta describes Facebook metaverse as:

"The metaverse is the next evolution in social connection and the successor to the mobile internet" [1].

Read on to learn more about the Facebook metaverse, including how to access it and careers that help build user experiences in the metaverse.

What is Facebook metaverse?

Mark Zuckerberg, founder and CEO of Meta (formerly Facebook), describes the metaverse as a place to “connect, work, play, learn, and shop" [1]. The metaverse is unique because it doesn’t exist in physical space but in the virtual world.  A few Facebook metaverse features include :

• Horizon Worlds: With Facebook's rebranding to Meta, Horizon Worlds was introduced, a virtual reality environment where users can build their own unique spaces. The application uses VR technology, controllable animation, and physics to replicate objects in the physical world. It offers multiplayer gaming, music, interactive puzzles, sports, films, and more.

• Horizon Workrooms: Horizon Workrooms is designed to simulate an in-person workplace experience. It's a virtual space that includes collaboration tools for businesses to use.

• Horizon Venues: Have you ever wished you could attend a concert or a sports game from the comfort of your own home? Horizon Venues aims to deliver that experience by providing users with computerised simulations of event spaces.

Meta's website cites several future use cases for the Facebook metaverse, such as virtual shopping experiences and immersive e-learning experiences.

Did you know? The word metaverse is used to describe a network of virtual worlds. Author Neal Stephenson coined the term in his 1992 science fiction novel about life in virtual reality, "Snow Crash." Aspects of the metaverse exist today in real-life applications like video games Minecraft, Fortnite, and Axie Infinity. The metaverse expands beyond games and can be used for socialising, work, and leisure.

Does Facebook own the metaverse?

People often colloquially use the term metaverse to refer to Facebook's contribution to it. However, Facebook's metaverse is just one part of a much larger metaverse. Currently, the metaverse isn’t one interconnected space. It comprises many individual worlds and is owned by many different entities. For example, Minecraft’s world exists separately from Fortnight’s world. However, they are both considered part of the metaverse. Each one has its own avatars, currency, rules, and access points.

Other metaverse use cases include:

• Roblox, a popular gaming platform, is a storefront where users can select the games they want. Basic play is free, and the company sells Robux currency to access more advanced play.

• Microsoft created digital solutions for training manufacturing and engineering employees and has been working with the US Army to develop virtual training for soldiers.

• Google’s Project Starline is a holographic video conferencing platform that simulates in-person interaction.

How to access Facebook metaverse

You'll need electronic equipment to enter no matter what part of the metaverse you plan to visit. You will need gear like a gaming console, a computer, or a mobile app, as well as a virtual reality headset. Your options are as follows:

• Virtual reality headsets: Virtual reality (VR) headsets are high-tech goggles you place over your eyes to view the metaverse. To look at and participate in your surroundings, you need to move your head, not just your eyes. Different types of VR are available for the metaverse worlds you’re visiting, such as the Meta Quest line (formerly Oculus Quest) from Meta.

Meta purchased Oculus in 2014 and began rebranding Oculus Quest products as Meta Quest in 2022, following the 2021 parent company name change.

• Augmented reality (AR) gear: AR is similar to VR. While VR simulates an immersive digital environment, AR overlays digital elements in the natural world. AR gear like AR glasses is less cumbersome than VR, allowing for freer movement.

• Mobile apps: You don’t always need VR and AR to enter the metaverse. A mobile phone can run some metaverse platforms without any additional equipment. For example, Roblox is accessible on your smartphone with or without VR technology.

• Gaming consoles: PlayStation is a gaming console that can work with or without VR. You can enter the Roblox metaverse without a VR headset. Other metaverses can be accessed with a headset. Roblox is accessible with the Xbox One gaming console, and Microsoft has announced plans to expand Xbox capabilities to Minecraft and Halo.

• Computers: VR and AR systems will work with most PCs; however, for the best experience, your computer should have good graphic capability and a minimum of 2 GB of RAM.  Apple recently announced a new interface called Metal 3 that will improve gaming on the MacBook Pro. Video game titles Resident Evil Village and No Man’s Sky will be introduced for use with the Metal 3 interface. 

Careers in the metaverse

Job opportunities are expected to grow as the metaverse expands. These jobs will likely require technical experience and up-to-date skills. Consider these examples of jobs that allow you to design, create, or interact with the metaverse:

Software developer

Average annual India salary (Glassdoor): ₹7,53,000 per year [2]

Software engineers with experience in augmented reality (AR) platforms and artificial intelligence (AI) help the metaverse expand. A computer science background and knowledge of programming languages is recommended for those who want to be a software developer. You can learn the skills you need from Meta directly with the Meta Back End Developer Professional Certificate.

Storyteller

Average monthly India salary (Glassdoor): ₹360,000 per month [3]

If you enjoy creating stories, the metaverse needs gamewriters like you to craft storylines for various genres. Knowledge of game design and development can help boost your creative writing skills. 

Cybersecurity specialists 

Average annual India salary (Glassdoor): ₹11,14,301 per year [4]

The safety and privacy of the metaverse depend on cybersecurity. Along with cybersecurity experience, programming skills are necessary. Working in cybersecurity requires protecting the metaverse from vulnerability and attacks. 

Hardware engineers

Average annual India salary (Glassdoor): ₹7,48,320 per year  [5]

With the metaverse's many features, hardware engineers are needed to design equipment such as VR and AR gear, virtual exercise, and other metaverse equipment.

Learn more about emerging technologies on Coursera.

Facebook’s contributions to the metaverse are significant, but the underlying technology that makes the metaverse possible will fuel many future careers. As the metaverse expands, you can prepare for potential career opportunities or explore options as a hobbyist online. Learn more and earn a certificate for your resume with the Meta course What is the Metaverse? on Coursera.