The Future & Present Implications of the Metaverse (Horizon Worlds)
Background Information:
As a student at the Texas Immersive Institute (TXI), my perspective on VR & AR has shifted enormously. Ever since it became a focal point in my education, it has opened my eyes to just how many emerging technologies are out there.
During my initial exploration of Horizon Worlds, I began to appreciate the impact that this technology could have on society. From comical mishaps to profound conversations with individuals from around the world, my experience in Horizon has opened my eyes to the vast potential of Metaverse communication.
While I have spent considerable time reflecting on the ethical implications of the Metaverse (with peers and in D.I.V.E) , I am confident that this technology can provide immense benefits to a diverse array of communities. The inclusivity and accessibility of Metaverse communication make it an ideal platform for fostering understanding and connection between individuals with vastly different experiences and backgrounds.
My Experience:
During my exploration of Horizon Worlds’ servers, I was captivated by the app’s wide variety of immersive experiences. From live concerts to VR events, there was always something new and exciting to engage with. However, what impressed me the most was the strong sense of community among servers. People from all ages and backgrounds came together to share their passions and interests, creating a lively and welcoming atmosphere. I never felt alone, and it was easy to strike up conversations with people from all over the world.
One particular conversation that stood out to me was with a group of users discussing how Horizon Worlds gave them a break from work. Despite hating talking to coworkers, one user noted, “here I feel inclined to talk and listen to anyone.” This comment exemplifies the passion and enthusiasm that the Horizon Worlds community has, and I felt honored to be part of it.
The moderators of various servers played a critical role in making the app accessible to users of all experience levels. They were helpful, welcoming, and went out of their way to assist me in navigating the app and answering my questions. Additionally, their openness about the Metaverse and their job made me feel comfortable with the app and helped me figure out how to use all the controls properly.
Areas of Improvement:
In my personal experience with Horizon Worlds, there were a few areas where I believe the app could improve. One of the biggest issues was dealing with “trolls,” or users who deliberately tried to disrupt the experience for others. While the moderators were generally helpful and responsive, there were instances where the trolls were able to get under my skin and affect the overall experience.
Another issue that I encountered was with the aesthetics of some of the environments. While some of the visuals were breathtaking, others felt unfinished and blocky, which detracted from the overall experience. As someone who appreciates attention to detail, this was a bit disappointing.
In terms of ethical concerns, I found myself thinking a lot about the implications of the Metaverse and how it could be used to manipulate or exploit users. While I felt relatively safe and secure using the app, there is always the potential for virtual reality technology to be used in harmful ways as it progresses in the future. I hope that developers, especially Meta, will continue to be mindful of these risks as they create new virtual worlds and begin to deal with VR governance.
Looking to the future, I believe that Horizon Worlds and other similar apps have the potential to be truly transformative technologies.
Associations to Concepts Learned:
In my experience with Horizon Worlds, I was able to see firsthand how the Audience Framework and The Value Offering Map can be applied to the development of virtual reality technologies. The app is designed to appeal to a wide range of users, from Tech Geeks to important business meetings, and it provides a variety of experiences to satisfy these different needs. The developers have taken a “segmented” approach to audience development, identifying distinct user groups and creating experiences tailored to their interests and needs. This is evident in the various servers available on the app, each with its own unique atmosphere, set of experiences and active users.
One of the most impressive aspects of Horizon Worlds is how it incorporates the product life cycle into its design. The app provides a mix of established features, such as live concerts and VR events, as well as new and innovative experiences that are still in the early stages of development. By doing so, Horizon Worlds is able to appeal to a broad range of users, from early adopters to more mainstream audiences. The app’s developers have clearly thought about how their technology will evolve over time as well as the fear factor that surrounds VR Technology, and have made strategic decisions about how to incorporate new features and experiences into the platform.
Horizon Worlds’ developers take a responsible approach to user safety and privacy. The app includes safety features like the ability to block and report other users, community guidelines, and privacy settings. They can also block “trolls” via IP address, making the entire device unable to operate the app. These features demonstrate the developers’ thoughtful consideration of user safety and privacy and show that they actively mitigate potential risks.
Ties to my Research Project:
As I reflected on my experience with Horizon Worlds and the concept of association I learned in class, I realized how the concept can be applied to many different areas, including my own research project on psychotherapy. The idea of creating a VR open world for licensed therapists and patients with severe mental illness was inspired by Horizon Worlds and the community it creates, but also solves a problem in the community of psychotherapy. In multiple interviews, and even in our netnography of specialized Facebook groups, it was evident that there is a lot of knowledge about this topic that isn’t able to reach its intended audience due to “trolls” and the overall sensitivity of the topic. Because of this core problem, as well as how important a therapist’s knowledge is in assisting the overall process for a patient, I believe this idea could prove to be worthy.
With my research project focusing on the effects of psychedelic therapy on PTSD, trauma, and other mental illnesses, the community that the VR open world creates can provide a safe and anonymous place for patients to connect with each other and share experiences. The activities in the world beyond therapy sessions, such as gardening and other mental health exercises, can provide patients with a sense of community and purpose outside of their therapy sessions.
The problem of patients with clearly diagnosed conditions not understanding these forms of therapy or even community at all because of the spread of misinformation can be solved by creating a platform where patients can learn more and talk to other patients. The community can grow with each other, and individuals with similar conditions from different backgrounds can connect with each other and share their experiences.
Access to the world would be limited but free, monitored by therapists to keep it safe and provide important, healthy information to patients. This solution not only benefits patients but also therapists, who can further monitor their patients’ progress beyond sessions and share their knowledge with other therapists in the community.
Understanding Audience:
Currently, the primary audience for Horizon Worlds comprises gamers and virtual world enthusiasts. The platform provides a unique experience to users for socializing, exploring, and creating in a fully immersive 3D virtual environment.
As VR/AR technology advances and becomes more mainstream, the potential audience for Horizon Worlds is likely to expand. It is expected to become more accessible and affordable in the coming years, making the experience of using virtual worlds more engaging, interactive, and realistic.
