Tuesday, March 1, 2022

2022 Metaverse: Can we have a metaverse connected and decentralized? Yes. The hypergrid is a working proof of concept. Web-worlds could be next.


Metaverse:  Can we have a metaverse connected and decentralized?    
Yes.  The hypergrid is a working proof of concept.  
Web-worlds could be next. 
A mini-metaverse is already in operation.  OpenSimulator/hypergrid has most of the characteristics that people are describing for the future metaverse.  

Are these grids decentralized?

  • They are run by independent operators, mostly individuals.
  • Many people are running their grids on their own home computers.
  • (That is real ownership!)
  • Many of these grids are not for commercial purposes.
  • I don' see how you can get more decentralized.

What does connected mean here?

  • You have a home grid where you log in,
  • You can teleport from that grid to any other connected grid.
  • You can carry exportable assets with you on that trip.
  • You can add people from other grids to your contact list.
  • You can send text messages and exportable assets to people on other grids.
  • People on other grids can teleport to your place.  
  • You can let people from other grids build on your place.

What are the pros and cons of connections?

User pro

  • Access to more places, events, and people.
  • Ability to collaborate with people in other grids.

User con

  • Risk of exposure to dishonest grid operations.

Operator Pro

  • Enhanced offering to users.
  • Increased traffic flow from potential customers

Operator con

  • Makes it easy for customers to try out other grids.
  • Expose customers to risks on other grids.

Could that model fit the current metaverse platforms?

  • Current technology could handle it.
  • The gating factor might be getting cooperation from grid owners.
  • Security would by a main issue.
  • Commercial grids may be reluctant to let people jump off their grid to a competitor.

Alternative: metaverse hub

  • There might be a market for a hub that manages entry credentials for multiple parts. 
  • Commercial grids running might be willing to use a hub if it brought them traffic. 
  • A hub could use webGL browser based tech to offer easy entry. 
  • Then offer teleport to cooperating grids.  
  • If a download/install is needed, the hub could handle that.
  • There might be a business plan here.
  • Alternatively the hub might be an opensource project by cooperating grids 

Imagining MHB (Metaverse hub)

  • This plan is largely based on the OpenSimulator hypergrid.
  • Hypergrid is a set of protocols that support interconnection among Open

Major services

  • MHB is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing interconnection among metaverse places (grids).
  • MHB seeks support from hardware vendors and others interested in boosting the use of graphics on the internet.
  • MHB may run a small virtual world, but it will not compete with commercial virtual worlds.
  • MHB will manage the credentials of users registered in commercial grids and support seamless user entry into those grids. 
  • The effect is that the user can login once to MHB and then teieport to any cooperating grid.
  • The user may be able to teleport directly to another cooperating grid.
  • If not, the user can get to another cooperating grid by returning to MHB, then going to the other grid.

Other services: users can:

  • add any other MHB user to their contact list.
  • send text messages to any MHB user.
  • upload and store assets (such as objects) in their MHB inventory.
  • carry their assets* to any MHB grid they are registered in.
  • send assets* to any MHB user.
  • *Limited to exportable assets, generally those made or imported by the user.
  • have text or voice conversations with any MHB user online.
  • use external systems such as Discord or Skype from MHB grids.

MHB would handle most start-up and login tasks

  • Some grids require the user to download and install a viewer.
  • MHB could do almost all of that except for approvals needed for security.
  • MHB could provide the login credentials for any cooperating grid.
  • Thus the user would only login to MHB to be able to get to any cooperating grid.
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Easy access meetings in the metaverse

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