The global market value of the metaverse is about $47 billion, and it is predicted to exceed $678 billion by 2030.
Considering the fact that investment in the industry is rapidly growing, the forecasted market size is not far-fetched. For instance, Facebook has changed its branding to Meta to focus on metaverse technologies.
The company’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, in his speech at the time of announcing the new name, said, “metaverse is the next frontier.”
The growing demand for metaverse developers has toughed the hiring process for companies and entrepreneurs.
If you are in this same situation or are unsure if you need the service of a metaverse developer for your business, read on.
Table of Contents
What is Metaverse?
In truth, it isn’t easy to describe the metaverse as the term encompasses more than one aspect of technology. Most definitions only consider the side of technology the author is interested in.
Experts have also argued that the metaverse is not an overall innovative technology, as some of its selling points already exist, such as holograms and video games.
Based on the progress so far, the metaverse can be described as a three-dimensional virtual reality with a perfect simulation of the physical world with features enabling people to connect.
People can shop, party, communicate, train, and play within the metaverse in real time.
Types of metaverse
Generally, the metaverse can be divided into two: centralized and decentralized.
These two metaverse types can also be divided into two categories; traditional and blockchain.
Centralized metaverse
This metaverse is directly or indirectly controlled by a firm or platform that stores the users’ data and can directly influence the users’ behavior.
Simply put, there is an entity governing the entire network.
Also called core control, the most distinctive characteristic of this metaverse is that users can only interact with one another on it, but they do not have access to control or possess any pieces in the virtual environment. A typical example is Fortnite, Horizon, and Roblox, which can be regarded as a traditional centralized metaverse.
On the other hand, there have been speculations about who governs blockchain metaverse, such as NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens). NFTs allow community control through trading, but user data is allegedly held by a third party.
Decentralized metaverse
This is the replica of the open source in the traditional tech world. Users have the freedom to control the assets of the metaverse. Not only that, they can extensively govern their individual assets too.
This metaverse is usually associated with blockchain projects. Typical examples include Decentraland, Axie Infinity, Somnium Space, and The Sandbox.
Essential technologies for metaverse’s success
Three major technologies need to be improved beyond what we have today to realize the future of the metaverse. This vacuum has created the need for a special breed of developers.
. Hardware
It includes devices designed specially to enable you to access the metaverse. Although devices such as your smartphone can be used to enter the metaverse, they are limited. Hardware such as dedicated augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) gear are equipped with the right technology to experience the metaverse optimally. Examples include Microsoft HoloLens, MagicLeap, Sony PlayStation VR, and Oculus Quest.
. Network
Metaverse is updated in real-time, and this requires a stable network. Meanwhile, the bandwidth requirement for the metaverse exceeds the typical need for most of the other digital activities in folds.
For instance, the Microsoft Flight Simulator has about 2,500,000 gigabytes of data to render perfectly. There is no consumer gadget with features to handle such an amount of data at the moment.
The metaverse technology employed by Microsoft only stores the core data on local devices while the rest are accessed from a Microsoft dedicated server.
. Computing power
The metaverse requires about 1,000-fold improvement in today’s computing power for effective execution. This is a problem that companies like Intel have taken personally to tackle.
Difference between a traditional and metaverse developer
Metaverse is a world on its own; therefore, its projects cannot be handled by a traditional developer.
A metaverse developer is expected to be proficient in most traditional programming languages like JavaScript, PHP, Ruby, and Python. In addition, the developer will also be able to code in metaverse programming languages, including C#, C++, SQL, CUDA C, Rust, Swift, among others.
Depending on the project, the developer will also need experience in blockchain development. It is not mandatory to know all of these languages are mastered, but proficiency and flexibility in the metaverse will be influenced by the number the programmer has mastered.
How to know if your business needs a metaverse
There is enough evidence to prove that metaverse is the future of the digital world. If your business needs the digital market to survive, then you need to consider the metaverse.
Walmart, for instance, has been filing trademark applications for virtual goods to sell in the metaverse.
Another case is Gucci which is taking advantage of the peaked interest in the metaverse to promote its brand. The company, in partnership with Roblox in May 2022, launched the Gucci store, a virtual replica of its physical store, Vault. In the store, users can purchase a limited edition of their virtual bags.
One major advantage of metaverse for brand promotion is that it creates a direct interaction between potential buyers and the business.
The interaction, based on the design, will last longer when compared with typical digital promotions.
Types of Metaverse developers
Generally, metaverse developers can be grouped based on the aspect they specialize in.
Non-commercial
They deal in Metaverse projects that do not require the exchange of goods. An example of a project that tilts toward this kind of metaverse is the Microsoft Mesh.
Like Google Meet, Mesh allows people in different physical locations to collaborate through AR and VR. This means companies’ technical training can be virtual.
E-Commerce
These are developers that specialize in designing stores. McDonald, for instance, has patented a restaurant in the metaverse where users can order food.
Game
The metaverse game developers try to incorporate fun and commerce. Features are designed for players to shop within the game.
Marketplace
This specialty overlaps with eCommerce, only that the metaverse developed by these experts will require connecting buyers to more than one seller. Imagine a virtual trade fair.
Real estate
Real estate metaverse programmers can design virtual properties that customers can visit. Their ingenuity can give rise to a 3D tour of a company’s assembly plant without the need for a potential investor to visit physically.
Things to consider when hiring a metaverse developer
Experience
The metaverse industry is still in its infancy, and it is unlikely to see a developer with ten years of experience. Instead, in addition to potential hires’ metaverse experience, request for experience in related fields such as the development of smart contracts.
Portfolio
Request for the developer’s portfolio, which may include personal projects. Those who cannot divulge the details of their project due to a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) request the public version of their work.
Cross-platform knowledge
Metaverse is not just about programming. A good developer should have sufficient knowledge of graphic design to be able to interpret frameworks effectively.
