1 October 2024
These 8 Tech Giants Have Invested Big in The Metaverse
The number of Metaverse initiatives is growing rapidly, as well as some businesses are placing significant bets on these endeavors being the Next Big Thing. The concept of the 'Metaverse' has quickly gained traction throughout the internet and is currently a major talking point. Interesting as it may seem, the concept of a vast, digital internet world has caught the attention of numerous different businesses due to the obvious possibilities which the Metaverse contains.
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Following are the 8 Tech Giants that have invested very big in the Metaverse:
1. Microsoft
It's hardly surprising that Microsoft would expand its presence in the Metaverse, given the company's lengthy history in the Information Technology industry. As the first step in ensuring a prominent position in the Metaverse, the organization introduced in January 2022 that it will be purchasing Activision Blizzard, the massive video game developer, and publishing company. Microsoft's game sector on all platforms such as mobile, PC, console, as well as cloud, would benefit greatly from this purchase, and the company will get essential components for its envisioned Metaverse. The $70 billion transactions are the largest in Microsoft's history and will pave the way for future Microsoft-backed Metaverse gaming and software development.
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2. Meta
Pretty appropriately, Facebook announced in November 2021 that it would be rebranding itself as Meta. As an effort to introduce the public to the soon-to-arrive Metaverse, this strategy was a success. Putting aside the cringeworthy opening film, Meta has spent over $10 billion on the purchase and development of gear and software to enable VR experiences in the Metaverse. When it comes to new technologies, the corporation also aims to put money into AR. This is a large investment, to be sure, but it's likely to be the first of many over the next several decades.
3. Google
By releasing Google Glass in 2014, an augmented reality device designed to aid in one's daily life, Google was years ahead of the trend. Although their first proposal was met with widespread derision, the moment has arrived for them to reconsider their position. In contrast, the Google Glass raised serious security issues due to its constructed video capturing skills, setting a worrying trend in the area of secrecy as well as safety. Metaverse layout and incorporating existing services like YouTube into MMORPGs have been proposed under CEO Sundar Pichai. In fact, Google has put $39.5 million into financing which makes direct investments in Metaverse initiatives.
4. Nvidia
Nvidia is just another major technology company with plans to enter the virtual reality market. Nvidia is one of the most well-known GPU manufacturers in the world, and their products can be found in gaming consoles, personal computers, laptops, and even bitcoin miners. Due to its dominant position in the technology industry, it is not surprising that the corporation is making investments in the Metaverse with its rivals. Because of this, it's not surprising that Nvidia is positioning itself to play a significant role in the Metaverse's infrastructure by creating products like Omniverse to equip Metaverse designers with the resources they need to realize their ambitions. The business hopes to go as far as creating digital avatars for usage in the Metaverse. It's possible that in the not-too-distant future, Nvidia's innovations may help create your unique character.
5. Unity Software
Among these companies, Unity Software is perhaps most prepared to pivot as well as reap the benefits of the Metaverse surge. Seventy-one percent of the top 1000 mobile games are powered by Unity, as are fifty percent of all Consoles games, and around five billion devices across the globe run software created with Unity. This presents a chance for Unity to not create its own "Metaverse," but rather to facilitate communication across existing gadgets, apps, as well as games. For $1.6 billion, Unity Software also purchased visual effects studio Weta Digital, an investment that would help the firm expand its Actual-Time 3D technology that is expected to be employed in numerous Metaverse apps to improve the realism of the online world.
6. Shopify
Currently, one million companies rely on Shopify as their e-commerce platform of choice. This makes logical sense that Shopify desires to join in on the ground floor of the rapidly developing field of virtual shopping as it emerges in the Metaverse. The start-up is planning to focus on augmented reality shopping, where customers can virtually try on garments or inspect products in their own residences prior to buying a product.
7. ROBLOX
What we call the Roblox Metaverse has become a reality. Ten million individuals are presently using the platform to create content, and indeed the term "Metaverse" is commonly misunderstood to imply that Blockchain or virtual reality and augmented reality components are required. However, the true power of the Metaverse lies in the boundless opportunities it provides to its users. Since its inception, Roblox has grown into a vast network of developers who may meet and interact in any of the 24 million custom-made activities and virtual environments that the platform hosts.
8. Qualcomm
Qualcomm's plans for the Metaverse are said to inform the company's investment in XR. The firm has launched an XR laboratory in Europe and therefore is working with Microsoft to increase the use of augmented reality in both customers as well as business settings. Qualcomm and Microsoft have announced a partnership with the claimed goal of attracting additional users to the emerging field of extended reality as well as the Metaverse.
The Bottomline
Large technology companies have a leg up on smaller players in the Metaverse. When it comes to the Metaverse, today's major players are well ahead of the pack. They have billions of users, well-known brands, top-notch development teams, and plenty of funding. It would be too soon to know how things will pan out between an one Metaverse as well as numerous Metaverses, but the differences are substantial.
Disclaimer: The author’s thoughts and comments are solely for educational reasons and informative purposes only. They do not represent financial, investment, or other advice.