Thread by @ContextNewsroom

🤯 Did you know the global metaverse market could hit nearly $42 billion globally by 2026?

🌎 From tech giants to pop stars and entire cities, more are racing to embrace these virtual worlds.

Here are 5 major players emerging in the metaverse. 🧵

🏗 The builders

Firms like @Meta and @Microsoft are doing the groundwork to build the metaverse and develop the tech underpinning it.

🎮 They’re joined by video game platform @Roblox which said it aims to help users create their own vast virtual places. news.trust.org/item/202112211…

👗 The designers

👟 @Nike bought virtual sneaker company RTFKT and built a new digital world "NIKELAND".

@BALENCIAGA teamed up with #Fortnite to bring the brand’s clothing and 'fit sets' into the game.

@VANS_66 has even created a virtual skateboarding playground for fans. 🛹

🤩 The celebrities

🎤 Pop superstar @ArianaGrande performed for a digital audience in @FortniteGame's metaverse.

Meanwhile, @SnoopDogg is building his own "Snoopverse" allowing paying users to attend exclusive gigs and parties, and even buy property.

🛠️ The engineers

✈️ @Boeing has vowed to create its next airplane in the metaverse.

Mechanics would don headsets to build virtual 3D jet models, run simulations and streamline design processes.

But critics say earlier pledges have brought mixed results. news.trust.org/item/202112211…

🏙️ The governments

🇧🇧 Barbados will open what could be the world's first metaverse embassy in the platform @decentraland.

🇰🇷 Seoul city aims to create a virtual city hall by 2023 where citizens can meet avatars of public officials and file complaints. 👇
news.trust.org/item/202111251…

🔴 Is joining a metaverse a good idea?

From virtual goods like #NFTs to AI-powered avatars, some tech experts are warning that fast-growing virtual worlds are pushing our digital rights into uncharted territory.
news.trust.org/item/202111231…

🤔 Are you planning to experiment with the metaverse?