Apple's AR headset will enhance games and the Metaverse

The next era of immersive gaming and mixed reality experiences is upon us, writes The Sandbox co-founder Sebastien Borget.

Image: Shutterstock

While many believe the Metaverse will exist only in the virtual realm, the more likely outcome is that it will permeate our everyday lives through the power of augmented reality (AR), making digital content nowhere in a "mixed reality" environment not there. .

That's exactly what technology like Apple's upcoming mixed reality headset promises, which is widely rumored to be unveiled Monday at its annual WWDC conference.

Apple is good at taking emerging technologies and making them more refined and accessible to the masses, and its headset could do the same for AR. Such platforms will be key catalysts to expand the metaverse and blockchain-powered games with novel experiences that are integrated into everyday life.

From sporting events and shopping malls to restaurants and entertainment venues, mixed reality introduces an interactive element that blends IRL (real life) and IVL (virtual life). Here's what I see as key opportunities for the future, and what AR's continued development brings to the metaverse, and why it's such an exciting shift in all interactive media.

Enhanced Engagement

AR can overlay virtual items in the real world, creating a new surface for gaming engagement. For example, a branded game might require users to visit a store to complete specific tasks via an AR avatar, leading to potential purchases of store items and potentially earning them additional experience points for in-game perks.

However, display size will have a significant impact on overall adoption and individual functionality, and device makers must find the right balance between immersion and comfort. They also need to ensure comparability between devices so that mobile users can participate alongside headset wearers.

NEW SOCIAL INTERACTIONS

Social connections on digital channels can now connect to the real world, as avatars can be placed IRL for interactions that move seamlessly across channels, including Metaverse, social media, and gaming platforms. For example, instead of viewing your friends during a conversation, you can chat with an avatar overlaid on their body via AR.

Early forms of this are already emerging, with some early AR adopters using the technology to appear as avatars in virtual meetings. When playing mixed reality games, avatars can be a key interaction point for players to interact with each other both IRL and IVL.

It's not just about the device itself, but because it adds a "reminder" social layer. As we interact with each other in layers of enhanced virtual worlds, we will discover interesting new ways to create and communicate.

Accelerating User Generated Content

Apple's initiatives will help create new immersive experiences that bring us closer to the Metaverse and open up new possibilities for creators.

Thanks to generative AI tools, creators can build immersive worlds without manually coding dozens of projects, accelerating the timeline from concept to creation. This will unleash a new wave of creativity in how games exist in mixed reality, enabling creators to dream up exciting new experiences.

For example, creators can quickly include AR components in upcoming avatar drops to add an interactive element for users. Or a mixed reality game could react in real time, responding to relevant input to populate the game with new items and elements.

Digital Curvature enters IRL territory

As true digital ownership emerges in the real world, there will be innovations in interactivity, creativity, and utility. With AR, virtual assets can now be flexed, harnessed and used in the real world. In this new mixed reality, avatars can be used in a variety of ways, creating new utility for these assets.

Imagine if you owned a particular avatar, got a discount at a store, and after proving ownership, you were prompted to experience an AR music video that interacted with your own avatar, and could even feature that avatar in the video itself . The interactive intersection of avatars, digital ownership, and mixed reality will generate a wealth of interesting opportunities.