Metaverse Book Gets Boring Rename in Latest Sign of Waning Enthusiasm

Matthew Ball, author of “The Metaverse: And How It Will Revolutionize Everything,” is re-releasing his book under the new title “Building the Spatial Internet,” reflecting a shift in expectations.

Points

• Matthew Ball re-releases his book with a new, less revolutionary title.
• The change reflects waning enthusiasm for the metaverse.
• Major players like Meta remain committed to the metaverse despite budget cuts.
• The metaverse is viewed as an iterative tech cycle, still in early stages.

Matthew Ball, former global head of strategy at Amazon Studios and author of the 2022 book “The Metaverse: And How It Will Revolutionize Everything,” is re-releasing the book with a new title: “Building the Spatial Internet.” The revised title indicates a shift in expectations and a more measured approach to the metaverse’s impact.

Ball discussed the change with Nilay Patel, editor-in-chief of The Verge and host of the Decoder podcast. During the interview, Ball pointed out that none of the major players have abandoned the metaverse industry. He maintains that progress is still on track and that there won’t be a singular moment when the metaverse and mainstream consumers align perfectly.

Despite Meta’s recent 20% budget cut for its Reality Labs division, which focuses on the metaverse, the company remains committed to its long-term vision. Ball emphasized that the typical tech industry cycle involves periods of hype, iteration, and eventual adoption. He likened the current state of the metaverse to the early stages of generative AI before the launch of models like GPT-3.

While the metaverse has yet to achieve its revolutionary potential, industry leaders like Meta continue to develop cutting-edge hardware and software. Google’s interest in acquiring Ray-Ban’s parent company and re-engaging with Magic Leap also signals ongoing investment in augmented reality and metaverse-related technologies.

Viewing the metaverse as an iterative tech cycle, Ball believes there is still significant potential for growth and innovation. However, he cautions that there are no guarantees, and the metaverse’s evolution will depend on continued investment and technological advancements.

Explanation

• Matthew Ball’s book title change reflects a shift in expectations for the metaverse.
• Major players like Meta remain committed to the metaverse, despite budget cuts.
• The metaverse is viewed as an iterative tech cycle, with significant potential for future growth.
• Continued investment and technological advancements are crucial for the metaverse’s evolution.