5 Companies That Are Building The Metaverse

The metaverse virtual reality ecosystem will be supported by a slew of multinational companies looking to ride the wave. CRN looks at five key players.

What was once an abstract, esoteric concept is quickly becoming big business as companies jockey for position in the metaverse. When Facebook earlier this year said it would change its corporate name to Meta, it may have shed light on a virtual world many companies were already building.

In its broadest sense, metaverse is seen as a replacement to the mobile internet and a platform where people (represented by avatars) can interact, play, exchange goods and services and otherwise live life within the digital universe. This ecosystem of virtual reality will be supported by many multinational companies hoping to ride the next social wave.

CRN looks at five companies building the metaverse.

Meta

Mark Zuckerberg-founded social giant Facebook grabbed headlines (and maybe a few eye rolls) in December when it announced its new moniker that would stake its claim in the metaverse.

Meta Platforms seeks to untie its persona to the concept of social media, instead hoping to be seen as a metaverse company. With more than 3 billion users, the company wants to use its substantial base to kick-start this virtual platform. The company has already invested in augmented and virtual reality and is constructing its VR platform Horizon, which is accessible through Quest headsets.

Roblox

Any parent of kids under 18 are already familiar with the blockbuster virtual reality world-building game Roblox, which lets players create their own world while using basic survival tasks. Founded in 2004, the company is now laser-focused on building a metaverse platform that will host more than just a game. It envisions a future where you can shop for clothes, trying them on and making a purchase without leaving your home. Interaction with other users will be key—Roblox just released a spatial chat feature that will allow people to talk to each other just as in real life with voice chat.

Nike

Footwear pioneer Nike may not be the first name you think of when someone mentions a virtual metaverse, but the company wants to bridge the gap between physical goods and the virtual experience. The company is collaborating with Roblox, building the virtual world “Nikeland,” where users can try new shoes or run a marathon within the game. Nike has dropped some new virtual products to enhance the gaming experience. It hopes to be a pioneer in the concept of “multi-experience” gaming and shopping.

Epic Games

Fortnite, a survival game that’s somewhat akin to Roblox, is Epic Games’ breakthrough hit. The company used the foundation of the game’s success to begin crafting a metaverse platform that can serve as a destination to communicate with people and businesses all while in the virtual world. The company just released “Digital Humans,” a metahuman creator that will allow users to craft photorealistic representations that will interact, play games and otherwise exist within the virtual space.

Microsoft

Software powerhouse Microsoft has plunged itself deep into the metaverse, with plans to create an “enterprise metaverse,” according to CEO Satya Nadella, who discussed plans in an earnings call. While the plans have so far been broad and somewhat vague, the Xbox parent is no stranger to world-building as the owner of the tremendously popular Minecraft. The gaming platform will surely play an important role in the company’s metaverse aspirations.