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Metaverse & VR Terms Glossary: AR, MR, and XR Explained

VR, AR, MR, XR... here's a clear rundown of easily confused metaverse terms.

Metaverse

A term combining "meta" (beyond) and "universe," referring to an expanded digital space where people use avatars to engage in social, economic, and cultural activity within a three-dimensional virtual world built on the internet.

Virtual Reality (VR)

Technology that uses a dedicated headset to let you experience a fully virtual 3D space completely cut off from the real world.

Augmented Reality (AR)

Technology, often accessed through a smartphone camera, that overlays virtual images or information onto the real world β€” famously used in popular mobile games.

Mixed Reality (MR)

Technology that recognizes real-world space and blends virtual objects into it so they appear to interact naturally with real objects.

Extended Reality (XR)

An umbrella term covering VR, AR, MR, and immersive technology in general.

Avatar

A digital character that represents you and acts on your behalf in virtual space β€” the word originates from a Sanskrit term meaning "incarnation of a deity," and it's now an essential element of online games and metaverse platforms.

Digital Twin

A technology that creates an exact digital replica of a real object, factory, or city inside a computer, used to simulate and predict real-world changes in advance.

Virtual Human

A computer-graphics-generated figure designed to look like a real person, increasingly used as an ad model or virtual influencer β€” a notable recent marketing trend.

Virtual Real Estate

The concept of buying and selling virtual land or space inside a metaverse platform using real or crypto currency β€” a trend that sparked a major investment craze at one point.

Social VR

A virtual-reality space where people meet, talk, and do activities together through avatars in real time β€” drawing attention as a new way to connect people regardless of physical distance.

Haptic Technology

Technology that uses vibration or force feedback to simulate the sense of touch in a virtual environment, ranging from simple game-controller rumble to sophisticated VR gloves.

How Are VR, AR, MR, and XR Different?

All four terms refer to immersive technology, but they differ in degree of immersion. VR is a 100% virtual world completely cut off from reality; AR overlays virtual information on top of reality; MR lets virtual and real elements actually interact; and XR is the umbrella concept covering all of these technologies.

The Metaverse Keeps Evolving

The metaverse has expanded well beyond gaming into education, work meetings, concerts, shopping, and more, with the underlying hardware and software advancing rapidly as well.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need a VR headset to enter the metaverse?

No β€” many metaverse platforms are designed to be accessible from a smartphone or PC, with a VR headset being an optional choice for a more immersive experience.

Does virtual real estate inside the metaverse actually hold value?

Virtual real estate is a new kind of asset whose value depends heavily on a platform's popularity and user base, so its high volatility and risk should be carefully weighed before investing.