The term “metaverse” was first coined by Neal Stephenson in his 1992 science fiction novel Snow Crash, where it referred to a virtual shared space where people could interact with each other and with virtual objects. Today, the term is used to refer to the concept of a collective virtual shared space, including both augmented and virtual reality.

The metaverse is a collective virtual shared space, including both augmented and virtual reality. In this space, users can interact with each other and with virtual objects in a way that feels real. The metaverse is an extension of the real world, but with added layers of digital information and experiences.

One of the key features of the metaverse is its ability to bring people together from all over the world. In the metaverse, you can meet and interact with people from different countries and cultures, without the limitations of geography or time. This has the potential to facilitate global collaboration and exchange of ideas, as well as provide new opportunities for social interaction and entertainment.

Another key feature of the metaverse is its potential to provide new and immersive experiences. In the metaverse, you can visit virtual worlds and explore new environments, as well as interact with virtual objects and characters in ways that are not possible in the real world. This has the potential to revolutionize the way we engage with entertainment, education, and other forms of media.

The development of the metaverse is still in its early stages, and there are many challenges and questions that need to be addressed. For example, how will the metaverse be regulated and governed? How will people’s privacy and security be protected in this virtual world? And how will the metaverse be monetized, if at all?

Despite these challenges, the potential of the metaverse is enormous. As technology continues to advance, the metaverse will become more and more realistic and immersive, providing new and exciting opportunities for people to connect, collaborate, and experience the world in ways that were previously unimaginable.

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Rick Canfield

A postgrad with an M.S. in Media Management and a marketing producer with over 20 years of media development experience.

Latest posts by Rick Canfield (see all)

• Echoes & Algorithms: Ethical AI in Media Production - October 28, 2025
• Creativity and AI Ethics: An Essential Toolkit for Game Dev Success - August 1, 2025
• Echoes on the Canyon Walls: Why the Pecos Rock Art is North America’s Oldest Grand Media - May 1, 2025

Recent posts

Echoes & Algorithms: Ethical AI in Media Production

Last week at Startup Week SA (SASW 2025), one of the main topics heard across various panels was about the integration of AI into our everyday lives. In that spirit, we hosted a compelling panel titled Echoes & Algorithms: Ethical AI in Media Production, which dived into the transformative yet challenging landscape of artificial intelligence in creative industries. The discussion featured industry experts such as myself, Rick Canfield (UESA) and Peterish (Gigaton), who explored how AI is reshaping film, TV, gaming, and commercial production while emphasizing the critical need for ethical considerations

Creativity and AI Ethics: An Essential Toolkit for Game Dev Success

If you’re building in Unreal Engine, Unity, or any corner of the metaverse, here are the essential takeaways from this transformative livestream on Unleashing your Creativity with Ethical AI.