What Is the Metaverse?什么是元宇宙？

The term metaverse is a combination of two words， “meta” and “verse”. Meta is a prefix that means beyond or transcending， while verse refers to the universe. The metaverse comprises several 3D worlds where digital versions of people can interact and move from one place to another. Dubbed by many as the “future of the internet”， the metaverse can provide a gateway to provide entertainment beyond online gaming. The metaverse could allow people to work on projects， compete in sports， or watch concerts together on shared virtual platforms.

元宇宙的英文metaverse 是meta 和verse 两个单词的合成词。meta 是前缀，意为“超出”“超越”，verse 指universe，即“宇宙”之意。元宇宙包含多个3D 世界，数字虚拟人物可在其中互动和穿行。很多人称元宇宙为“互联网的未来”，它可以为娱乐打开一扇门，通往在线游戏以外更广阔的领域。在元宇宙里，人们可以通过共享虚拟平台合作开展项目、参与体育活动或共赏音乐会。

Science fiction writer Neal Stephenson made popular the word metaverse in his 1992 novel Snow Crash. The cyberpunk novel tells the story of Hiro who is a pizza delivery guy in real life. In the metaverse， Hiro becomes a sword-wielding warrior who aims to save the world from a digital virus called Snow Crash.

科幻小说作家尼尔·斯蒂芬森1992 年的小说《雪崩》让“元宇宙”成为一个流行词。这部赛博朋克小说讲述了现实生活中的披萨外卖小哥阿弘的故事。在元宇宙里，阿弘化身挥剑的战士，意欲拯救世界免遭数字病毒“雪崩”之害。

Features of the metaverse

元宇宙的特点

The following characteristics give a clearer picture of what a metaverse looks like：

以下几个特点更加清晰地展现了元宇宙的面貌：

· It is persistent

· 持久性

Events and experiences in the metaverse do not pause， end， or reset， just like in the real world. When a user logs out， everything inside the metaverse will continue to exist and function.

元宇宙中的事件和经历像现实世界中一样，不会暂停、结束或重置。用户退出后，元宇宙里的一切将继续存在和运转。

· It is always live

· 实时性

The metaverse and the digital objects inside are experienced in real-time. Any content， experience， or information is accessible at any given time and remains available even when a user logs out of their account.

元宇宙和元宇宙里的数字物体都是实时的。用户可以在任何既定时间获取里面的任何内容、体验或信息，即使退出账户，那些东西也仍然在。

· It can host an audience of any size

· 可容纳无穷受众

The metaverse brings together millions of users from any part of the physical world. Users can experience an event simultaneously.

元宇宙可汇集来自现实世界天涯海角的无数用户。用户可以同时体验一个事件。

· It is interoperable

· 互操作性

Digital information and assets are shared across multiple virtual platforms. The same can also be translated into the physical world. For example， a user can purchase an item of clothing for their avatar and use it on different virtual platforms.

数字信息和资产可在多个虚拟平台之间共享，还可以转化到现实世界。比如，用户可以为虚拟世界中的自己购买一件衣服，并在不同的虚拟平台上穿着。

· It allows customization

· 允许定制

Users can change their avatars or digital identities at any time to showcase their personality or current mood. Content may be designed and created by independent developers and large organizations.

用户可以随时更改自己的虚拟形象或数字身份，展示自己的个性或当前状态。内容可由独立开发人员和大型机构设计和创建。

· It has a functioning and sustainable economy

· 拥有运转良好且可持续的经济

Users can purchase digital goods and services to enhance their Metaverse experience. They can also shop for physical items that can be shipped anywhere they want in the real world.

用户可以购买数字商品和服务来提升他们的元宇宙体验，还可以购买实物商品，根据自己的需求运送到现实世界的任何地方。

· It combines the virtual and physical world

· 结合虚拟世界和现实世界

The metaverse spans both real-world and digitally created content and experiences.

Capabilities of the metaverse

元宇宙的功能

The metaverse aims to provide people a gateway to experience real-world activities in a virtual environment. Below are just some of the activities one can expect upon entering the metaverse.

元宇宙旨在为人们打开一扇门，让人们在虚拟环境中体验现实世界的活动。以下是人们进入元宇宙后可能开展的部分活动。

· Social interaction

· 社交

Communicating with friends， colleagues， or loved ones is a lot easier in the metaverse. Besides video calls， users can host or attend online events or celebrations like weddings， birthdays， or retirement parties and attend no matter where in the world they are located.

在元宇宙中与朋友、同事或亲人交流要容易得多。除了视频通话，用户还可以举办或参加在线活动或庆典，如婚礼、生日或退休派对，无论身在何处都可以参加。

· Shopping

· 购物

Users can shop for both virtual and physical goods. VR devices and shopping-related software can allow users to try on clothing and accessories or test gadgets and appliances before buying them.

用户可以购买虚拟商品和实物商品。虚拟现实设备和与购物相关的软件可以让用户在购买前试穿衣服、试戴配饰或试用小工具和电器。

· Business

· 经商

While business owners and employees can collaborate and work together on projects from anywhere in the world using apps like Zoom and Google Meet， the metaverse brings the experience up a notch by making the interactions more natural.

虽然企业主和员工可以使用 Zoom 和 Google Meet 等应用程序在世界任何地方合作开展项目，但元宇宙可以使互动更加自然，从而将体验提升一个档次。

· Entertainment

· 娱乐

The metaverse offers a more immersive experience for the online gaming community， increasing the level of engagement. Virtual platforms can also host sporting events， movie premieres， or music festivals for an unlimited number of users.