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In the last few weeks, there have been increasing forms of interest in joining the metaverse. I recently wrote about trying to do work in the metaverse and the pros and cons of trying to do so. As the popularity of VR and the metaverse grows, so do the questions. Questions like Do I need a VR Headset to access the metaverse? Can I join the metaverse from my phone? So to help answer those questions, I wanted to write about all the different ways you can work, play, socialize, and more in the metaverse using just your at-home computer!
The metaverse is a big concept, so I will be touching on a few big topics and then also answering the other most common questions for beginners. Feel free to explore your favorite topic down below.
What is the Metaverse?
The Metaverse is a virtual world that can be accessed using a VR headset. If you would like a more in depth explanation, my updated 2023 guide to the metaverse is linked here.
Is there multiple Metaverse’s?
Yes! Despite what Mark Zuckerberg wants you to think, there are actually more metaverses than just the one Facebook is trying to build. In fact, many have argued that the metaverse idea first started in the early 2000s with the introduction of “Second Life.“
What is Virtual Reality?
Virtual reality is the next big thing in the tech industry and it has been predicted to be the future of gaming.
Virtual reality (VR) is a technology that lets users enter a virtual world, either by wearing a headset or by using interactive devices like the Quest 2. VR has been predicted to be the future of interactive technology with experts predicting it will be as common as computers or smartphones in the near future.
Does the Metaverse Have to Be in VR?
The metaverse is a virtual world that is shared by all VR users. It allows people to interact with each other in a virtual environment, using their avatars. But if you do not have a VR headset, there are still plenty of ways to interact with the metaverse using your home computer.
How to Access the Metaverse on your Laptop or PC
There are a few really popular VR games that have created an opportunity to join the metaverse without needing to buy a headset.
Of the most popular VR experiences, there are two big ones you can try and use right from your desktop.
How to Use VR Chat without a VR Headset.
VRChat is one of the most popular platforms for socializing in VR. They also have the option to join their metaverse without a VR headset. If you are interested in trying the metaverse and have a capable computer (some desktop graphics processing is required for the best experience), you can join right from your computer.
Just install the VRChat app from the steam store and launch in desktop mode to try it out on your home PC.
More instructions here:
How to Work in the Metaverse Without a VR Headset.
According to Meta, you can actually join their famous VR workspace app without the need for a VR headset. Instead, if you download their Horizons workspace app to your Mac or PC, you can join a metaverse work room and just show your camera instead of an avatar. Read more on the Horizon Official Work Blog.
Try workspace on your pc free for 30 days: https://www.workplace.com/
How to use meta Horizons on your desktop.
Unfortunately, this app from Meta is still exclusive to VR. But Meta did announce that coming this next year, Meta Horizons is coming to desktop to allow more users to enter the metaverse.
Like I mentioned earlier in this article, there is not just 1 metaverse. There are many companies that have built a digital 3d world that you can interact with that is a very convincing 3d alternative world.
Companies that have built Metaverse’s
- Meta/Facebook
- Axie Infinity (for the crypto fanboys)
- VR Chat
- Epic Games
Depending on how loosly you define the “metaverse” there are actually hundreds of metaverses out there. But to try out the Metaverse Mark Zuckerberg is championing, you might as well just use the Oculus Quest 2.
Can I access the Metaverse on my phone?
Unfortunately, the answer to this question is No. It makes sense that it should be possible to just join the metaverse without any extra devices since the Oculus Quest 2 is actually built on Android.
But for now, there is limited to no support for Android or IOS devices for standalone VR.
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Disclaimer: None of the information presented on this site constitutes legal, business, tax, or medical advice. In each scenario, it’s recommended to first chat with a medical, legal, business, or tax professional before making any decisions.
