Let's talk about a few terms every virtual explorer should know.
Stepping into the metaverse can feel like learning a new language sometimes.
Whether you're just exploring, attending events, customizing your avatar, gaming, or making friends online, you'll eventually hear words and phrases that you've never heard of.
In this post, I want to provide you with a few of the most common metaverse terms you'll encounter but there's more in the "Metaverse Slang Dictionary" that you can download for free here.
Let's start.
AVATAR
An avatar can look like you, a futuristic version of you, or anything you can imagine. For many of us, our avatar becomes an important part of our virtual identity.
DIGITAL OR VIRTUAL IDENTITY
As I stated previously your avatar is included as part of your virtual identity.
This is the way you present yourself online.
Not just your avatar though, but your username, your style, your reputation and even the communities that you are a part of, all make up your digital or virtual identity.
AFK
Away From Keyboard
"AFK" is used when someone temporarily steps away from their computer, headset, or device.
An example of what you may here someone say is "BRB, I'm AFK for a few minutes."
NPC
Non-Player Character
This one, originally used in video games, refers to characters that are controlled by the system rather than real people.
In online conversations, calling someone an NPC can jokingly suggest they're acting robotic or following the crowd.
NOOB
Or NOOBIE refers to a beginner or newcomer.
We all start somewhere, and every experienced metaverse citizen was once a noob.
VR
Virtual Reality
A type of technology that allows users to experience virtual environments through a headset.
or as shown on wikipedia; it is a simulated experience that employs 3D head mounted displays and pose tracking to give the user an immersive feel of a virtual world.
AR
Augmented Reality
Another type of technology that allows you to view digital content but this one overlays that onto the physical world.
AR allows you to see digital objects in your very own living room.
METAVERSE
An entire network of immersive digital/virtual spaces where we can interact, create, work, play, and socialize together.
There is no 'one' metaverse. Many virtual worlds and communities contribute to the broader metaverse ecosystem.
SPAWN POINT
The location where a player or visitor first appears when entering a virtual world or experience.
TELEPORT
A feature that instantly moves you from one location to another.
INSTANCE
A separate version of the same virtual location.
I was so confused when I first learned about this one. I would enter a world that a friend was in and would not find the friend who insisted that they were in the same world. I would even check their location myself because i thought they were lying, playing around or something. 😕
Well.. I later found out that when a world was full at capacity a new instance is automatically created for others joining that world. So two groups can be in the same world but different instances.
EMOTE
When I first heard someone say "Everyone started using heart emotes." I thought they meant to say 'emoji's' and although they are kind of similar they really are not.
Let me explain, an emoji is something you type, a symbol or icon and an emote is something your avatar does, an action or animation.
VIRTUAL ECONOMY
The buying, selling, and trading of virtual goods and services.
This may include entire virtual worlds, assets, clothing and more.
WORLD BUILDER
Those who help bring virtual spaces to life through creativity and design are known as world builders. They create the virtual environments and experiences that we enjoy.
SOCIAL VR
Virtual reality experiences focused on meeting people, building communities, having meetings, attending events, even attending classes.
IMMERSION
The feeling of truly being present inside of a virtual environment.
The more immersive an experience feels, the easier it is to forget you're sitting in your own living room.
QUESTIE
This is just a playful nickname that is often used for someone who uses a Meta Quest headset.
The term is usually used for fun within the VR community.
THE LANGUAGE OF THE FUTURE
The metaverse continues to grow, and so does its vocabulary.
New tech, new communities, and new experiences create new words every year but you don't need to know all of them to get started.
The most important thing is to explore, create, connect with others, and enjoy the journey.
Before long, you'll be using these words like a seasoned metaverse citizen.