In the world of technology and virtual reality, we have seen a lot of discussion about the differences between the Metaverse and the Multiverse. Are you also confused between Multiverse & Metaverse? Recognizing differences helps paint a more complete picture. We dug deep to find out what set these two apart. Let us get started.
What Is Metaverse?
An interactive 3D space called the Metaverse combines different augmented, virtual, and mixed reality experiences into one seamless whole.
Second Life and similar games have played a crucial role in developing the Metaverse for quite some time. Games like Minecraft, Second Life, etc., create a virtual reality where you can be a 3D copy of yourself, experience emotions, make purchases, and interact with others like the real world.
Companies like Decentraland, Sandbox, Microsoft, Facebook, and Meta recently added human-computer interaction (HCI) features.
Now, you can interact with the virtual world using your senses and as a 3D avatar.
In the future, when all these companies’ metaverse platforms converge into one, they will create the true Metaverse.
What is the Multiverse?
Physicists, cosmologists, astronomers, and researchers in related fields refer to parallel universes as the multiverse.
Scientists realized midway through the 20th century that, even in an infinite universe, there are only a finite number of possible molecular combinations, which gained traction as a concept.
Therefore, matter would eventually force itself to repeat the same patterns, resulting in the birth of either very similar or very different universes.
Cosmologists hypothesize that alternate universes with varying degrees of dissimilarity to our own exist. It may be very similar to our own, but it has a slightly altered sequence of events.
Its physical parameters may differ, but its basic laws resemble ours. Many universes may exist in which every conceivable state of matter and arrangement of molecules exist.
Finally, parallel universes with completely different physical laws from our own may exist.
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Metaverse vs Multiverse: Key Differences
Now that you understand the concepts, you can critically analyze the distinctions between the Metaverse and the multiverse. The Metaverse’s entire virtual world is interconnected in a hypothetical future. Users could easily move between metaverse locations according to their needs. However, the multiverse shows a more fragmented ecosystem of simulated environments.
Differences in their respective digital ecosystems make it difficult for users to transition between the various multiverse virtual worlds easily. Therefore, multiverse could not guarantee a consistent interface for its users. In contrast, the multiverse hosts a wide variety of virtual worlds, including those dedicated to gaming (like Fortnite), socializing (like Horizon by Meta), and conducting business online. But every world in the multiverse is unique and disconnected from every other world.
Let us compare and contrast the multiverse and the Metaverse, focusing on their key distinctions.
Number of Ecosystems
Many people mistakenly believe that the Metaverse and the multiverse are the same thing due to their shared characteristic of featuring multiple ecosystems. Step back and carefully review both concepts to understand the distinction. The multiverse contains an infinite number of independent ecosystems that can be found.
Instead, you can easily hop between activities, games, and other experiences in the Metaverse. You can easily enter the Metaverse and have a unified experience through your computer or augmented reality devices like Google Glass.
The comparison between the multiverse and the Metaverse clarifies that the multiverse comprises numerous independently distributed ecosystems. The Metaverse unifies the ecosystem rather than being a hypothetical collection of numerous virtual worlds or universes. Users can collaborate on projects, play games, and watch movies across devices in the Metaverse, all while existing in the same universe.
Interoperability
The Metaverse requires essential compatible systems. The same framework can now support the functioning of avatars, economies, and other systems. Before a reality, many obstacles must be overcome to achieve an interoperable Metaverse. Due to its interoperability, Metaverse enables users to use it for various purposes, including managing personal information, real estate, and money.
It’s unclear if Multiverse supports interoperability. In Multiverse, interoperability is constrained because it closely links to multiplicity (parallel virtual worlds).
Connection
Metaverses and multiverses have a second key distinction: the connections between their parts differ in nature. The order and randomness of the metaverse and multiverse parts are revealed through their interdependence.
Each universe in the multiverse is unique from all the others, resulting in an intricate system with no discernible pattern. Each virtual world in the multiverse possesses unique qualities and remains unlinked to the others. In the multiverse, you will face significant amounts of randomness.
In contrast, the Metaverse’s availability of a single universe boosts order significantly. The connections between the various metaverse parts clarified the distinction between the Metaverse and the multiverse. The Metaverse links everything together, and data movement through it is crucial.
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Concept
The technological world has recently introduced the multiverse and the Metaverse as new concepts. However, these ideas have ancient roots.
American philosopher William James first used the term “multiverse” in 1865, albeit in a different setting, regarding their originators. Many academic disciplines at least considered the possibility of multiple universes.
However, technology first introduced the concept of multiverses through massively multiplayer online games. The digital games showcase numerous multi-user virtual environments.
Another author first used the term ‘ Metaverse,’ although Neal Stephenson’s ‘Snow Crash’ novel from 1992 is widely credited with popularizing it.
Virtual Properties And Ownership
A multiverse consists of interconnected but distinct virtual universes. A single entity owns a planet in most cases. They completely own your property and records. That’s right; in other dimensions, you can make up whatever data and properties you like, but you cannot access the desired value. You can’t transfer coins earned in one game to another.
Users in Metaverse own their digital possessions exclusively. Multiple metaverse networks allow for the exchange of assets and information. First and foremost, the Metaverse simplifies buying and selling NFTs. The company possesses your digital properties in the multiverse, but you possess them in the Metaverse.
Entities
The final point of differentiation between the multiverse and the Metaverse is the entities and elements they contain. Locating specific elements within a multiverse can be challenging due to the numerous distinct platforms, each with its characteristics and components. Therefore, identifying which entity is responsible for the universe’s stability becomes difficult. It merely consists of disparate worlds. These worlds and their peculiarities will require the inhabitants of the multiverse to adapt.
Meanwhile, entities in the Metaverse can display a wide variety of characteristics. Human beings, artificial intelligence, augmented reality, virtual reality, robots, digital avatars, and many others are among the components and parts included in this list. Using the system is made fun and easy by the combined abilities of all these entities.
Metaverse Vs Multiverse
| Parameter | Metaverse | Multiverse |
| Concept | Neal Stephenson’s science fiction novel Snow Crash popularized the term “metaverse” in 1992. | American philosopher William James coined the term “multiverse” in 1865 in a different setting. |
| Definition | It is an interconnected 3D simulated environment for socializing, learning, and commerce. | It is an assemblage of various simulated environments. |
| Ecosystems count | Metaverse platforms allow users to freely travel between them because they all exist in the same shared universe. | The hypothetical virtual world pool contains various ecosystems. |
| Connection | There is a well-defined hierarchy for the distribution of data within the Metaverse. | There is no set pattern to the information that travels through the Multiverse’s many virtual worlds. |
| Virtual Properties and Ownership | User retains full control over all of his personal information, digital possessions, and activities. | The company who owns multiverse has ownership rights. Information from other worlds is inaccessible to the user. |
| Entities | Artificial intelligence, augmented reality, virtual reality, digital avatars, and so on are all part of the Metaverse. | In the multiverse, each virtual world exists independently. |
| Technology | Mixed and augmented realities, virtual worlds, AI, digital platforms | It has both 2D and 3D elements, and even virtual ones. |
| Interconnectivity | The Metaverse is comprehensive, universal, and compatible with other systems. | There will be many worlds because of this multiplicity. Potential for communication between these universes is uncertain. |
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Future is Metaverse or Multiverse?
In conclusion, future knowledge development will be significantly impacted by both the metaverse and the multiverse theories. However, it’s too soon to say which theory is correct. Researchers should conduct more studies on both theories to determine their relative merits, as they provide different perspectives on how the world functions.
The metaverse and the multiverse both provide ways of thinking about our world but possess some important distinctions. I hope you, whether you’re a science fiction fan or not, have found this blog interesting and informative.
