Metaverse Statistics in 2022: Usage, Revenues & More

 

The way in which we communicate with others is about to change forever.

Physical and digital worlds are meant to be together, and the Metaverse will serve as the bridge that makes this new step possible.

Just as social media and the Internet change our online interaction with people, the Metaverse market is going to be the next iteration in the evolution of virtual platforms.

The “Digital Universe” is not a new concept - it has existed in video games and science fiction since years ago.

But now, things have taken an (expected) turn: many companies and businesses are betting on Metaverse technology to power the upcoming virtual space.

This creates the need for us to go deeper into the virtual world that we are already and will soon experience.

Continue reading this blog post to get more information about:

• Metaverse Statistics in 2022;
• Understanding the Metaverse and the impact that it will have in our lives;
• The present and future of the Metaverse.

What Is Metaverse? Metaverse Concept Explained

A Metaverse is defined as a virtual space on the Internet with a focus on social interactions.

Science fiction movies and science fiction books already predicted virtual realities years ago.

It works as universes where digital content is the king, and people can be represented by digital avatars like Bored Ape or other Non-Fungible Tokens.

But this concept isn’t new in gaming or software uses.

Second Life is considered to be the first Metaverse game ever created, and it was launched almost 20 years ago.

Metaverse Applications Insights

It is clear that gaming and social platforms seem like the fields where customers could spend time on the Metaverse, but the truth is that this technology can go much further:

• Office applications make it possible for workers and other users to engage in remote work in a different way, thanks to VR headsets and other technology;
• A real estate company or business can highly benefit from Metaverse by showing properties data to possible buyers in real-time;
• Entertainment applications, such as concerts and sports events, will adopt Metaverse devices to offer more immersive experiences;

Key Metaverse Statistics Highlights

Recent stats regarding the Metaverse division in companies provide us with powerful insights into what to expect regarding this new concept:

• Thousands, and probably millions, of new job openings will appear as a direct result of Metaverse projects;
• Microsoft, Sony, and major game developers are investing billions in the Metaverse;
• The world-wide population is slowly but steadily adopting Metaverse-required hardware due to the constant standardization of components;
• According to PwC, the Metaverse AI economy will reach $15.7 trillion by 2030.

Metaverse Growth & Popularity

No one can deny the high impact that the Metaverse concept is having on our current world.

The growth and popularity of the Metaverse are directly translated into millionaire investments performed by world-renowned companies:

• Facebook changed its company name to Meta, as a next big step to pursue total focus on the Metaverse;
• Microsoft bought Activision for $68.7 million in an unprecedented operation that contributed to building the Metaverse;
• In February 2022, YouTube stated that they have “ big plans for blockchain and Metaverse” waiting to be implemented during 2022.

How Many People Participate in Metaverse?

It is safe to mention that the Metaverse isn’t only one place.

Although one company (Facebook, now Meta), comes into mind when talking about Metaverse, the truth is that there are many platforms that have already implemented Metaverse features.

If we talk about the Metaverse as virtual communities accessed through the VR market, the data shows that 25% of people by 2026 will spend at least one hour per day in the Metaverse.

How Many Metaverse Platforms Are Out There?

Metaverse worlds where digital assets have real value have now been standardized by some sectors, such as the gaming community.

Virtual worlds like Decentraland, where players own virtual land and properties minted into the blockchain, are now a reality.

The data shows that there are more than a hundred virtual worlds that have already implemented this concept.

They can be accessed through VR technology, classic computers, smartphone apps, and other devices.

Main Companies Behind Metaverse Platforms

Hearing about the Metaverse automatically connects our mind to Facebook.

Nonetheless, industry experts state that there are five main companies that are leading the Metaverse revolution in every aspect:

1. Facebook (Meta): this company invested $10 billion in Metaverse projects that could eventually lead to standardizing its own vision of this concept;
2. Epic Games: the enormous success that Epic Games and Fortnite have achieved founded the basis of their Metaverse investments for the future;
3. Niantic: Pokémon Go was a ground-breaking game for the AR / VR industry, where people that had never experienced mixed reality before were now one step closer to the Metaverse;
4. Apple: although it might not seem like it, the American company is slowly but steadily getting into the Metaverse business by creating their own AR glasses;
5. Decentraland: some say that Decentralad changed our perception about the Metaverse forever. Now, there are many virtual worlds where properties are truly owned by the users.

Top Metaverse Projects

Facebook is looking to have all its apps, such as WhatsApp and Instagram, under the Meta Umbrella.

While the company continues building the Metaverse, some projects, mainly in the gaming industry, have experienced uncanny success thanks to their trajectory and prolonged use by players:

1. Roblox: Roblox was never just a common game - it’s a complete universe where user-generated content rules the domains of the lands. Content creation took a new turn thanks to Roblox’s influence in the gaming environment;
2. Decentraland: then again, Decentraland makes it to the top list on the Metaverse Market. If you want to experience games where users live and breathe ownership, then this is your best shot;
3. Hyperverse: forget about what you know about software, universes, and virtual reality: there’s always something more lying ahead on Hyperverse;
4. Sandbox: the Ethereum Blockchains create a new virtual environment with a powerful and steady market and economy on Sandbox;
5. Metahero: imagine having the possibility for users to implement real-life objects into mixed reality universes. You don’t have to imagine it - just live it on Metahero.

Metaverse Hardware Statistics (Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality)

Although not all virtual platforms on the Metaverse market require hardware components, such as VR headsets and AR glasses, to be played, the truth is that hardware is the key to Metaverse adoption.

• Back in 2019, there were around 170 million VR headset users. VR use needs to catch up in order to successfully standardize the Metaverse market;
• Oculus Quest has ranked itself as the best VR headset on the market, and it managed to sell 1.9 million units in 2021;
• AR and VR technologies, as well as Extended reality and VR headsets, are experiencing massive adoptions in games and entertainment sectors.

The data shows that AR, VR, and general virtual reality technology will go from 170 million users in 2019 to an astonishing number of $1.7 billion in 2025.

It’s a business model that still needs to create more features appealing to new customers, but companies are already working on it.

Metaverse Users

It is clear that the Metaverse targets young users on the Internet, but the reality is that older generations will also start to engage into the Metaverse market as long as integration continues to happen, as it happened with social media platforms as well.

According to Statista, 27% of female Americans were deeply interested in the Metaverse, while 39% of males claimed the same.

As we might expect, users between 18 and 34 years old are somewhat interested in this new technology, while older generations (between 45 and 65 years old) claim that most of them (88%, to be precise) are not planning on getting engaged in Metaverse projects.

Metaverse User Demographics

Statista shows that 34% of Americans have heard about Facebook’s Metaverse in the news, while 38% of people have never heard of this virtual reality project.

But the history is very different when it comes to Metaverse players.

59% of Metaverse players are men, and 41% are women.

The average age of Metaverse gamers is 27, and the average time spent on Metaverse games is 2 hours, according to NewZoo.

Metaverse Regional Insights

Industry reports show that the market size for Metaverse projects is gradually increased in specific countries:

1. North America has the highest revenue growth across all continents for Metaverse projects;
2. European countries are still experiencing an startups growth on the Metaverse market, but there’s still a long way to go;
3. On the other hand, the Asian Pacific zone will undoubtedly experience an enormous boom in the Metaverse market from 2022 to 2030.

Metaverse Revenues

Business Insider predicts that even if Facebook’s Metaverse is not “ready,” it will already generate close to 3 billion in sales in 2022.

Nonetheless, if we take a look at the global Metaverse Market, the estimations show that we are looking at an 800 billion revenue market as of today, which might considerably increase in the years to come.

Revenue Growth Predictions

Bloomberg says that the compound annual growth rate of Metaverse projects set at 13.5% will increase up to 25% in just a couple of years.

It’s a 1 trillion revenue opportunity for investors that decide to create the foundations of the projects that will be coping the market sooner than later.

Metaverse Valuation & Funding

Before we get into the most notable investments on Metaverse projects, we need to remember one thing: Metaverse isn’t only about gaming.

This industry is just starting to unleash its full potential, so what we will see during 2022 will be nothing compared to the future.

Notable Metaverse Investments

• As we mentioned earlier, Microsoft bought Blizzard and Activision for more than $68 billion. To put things into perspective, let’s remember that Disney bought Marvel Studios for $4 billion;
• In 2021, Niantic received a $300 million investment from Coatue, so the AR / VR platform they are building will have a bigger impact than expected;
• Animoca Brands received over $358 million from investors to power up their NFT Metaverse projects;
• Epic Games received a $1 billion funding round dedicated to expanding their Metaverse vision during 2022 and beyond;
• Supersocial raised $5.2 million in order to continue the creation of Metaverse projects on Roblox.

Metaverse Job Market

There is a growing demand to hire Metaverse specialists.

From Metaverse planners, world builders and storytellers to research scientists, ecosystem developers and Metaverse cyber-security experts.

In fact, Facebook is already hiring for Metaverse Jobs and specialists that help the project grow sooner than later.

But things will not stop here.

Experts estimate that there will be new jobs related to the Metaverse by 2030, being the most relevant ones the following:

1. Metaverse Safety Manager;
2. Ecosystem Creators for Game Experience;
3. Metaverse Hardware Builder;
4. Metaverse Ad-Blocking Expert;
5. Metaverse Planner.

Metaverse in 2022 and Beyond

Things are just getting started. The Facebook announcement took the world by surprise, but it was the definitive push that we needed to massively adopt the Metaverse concept.

So, what can we expect from the Metaverse during the rest of the year (and the decade)?

Metaverse Community

There are already Metaverse Tribes that interact with each other on a daily basis.

They record videos, control economies, and get connected with AR / VR devices.

The Metaverse concept transcends and reformulates what we know as the social interactions on the Internet.

It’s a new opportunity in human evolution, and it must be considered as such.

As long as the Metaverse keeps growing (which will undoubtedly happen), GrowFollowing will be here to provide you with the latest information related to this new, unexplored universe.

Metaverse Stats FAQ

What is Microsoft Mesh?

Microsoft Mesh is Microsoft’s Metaverse project focused on social experiences and connections with others through virtual environments.

What Equipment is Needed for Metaverse?

It depends on the Metaverse project you want to get into. For instance, playing Roblox and Decentraland requires nothing more than your computer or mobile device.

On the other hand, Facebook Metaverse will probably require specific hardware, such as VR headsets.

About the author

Steve

Steve specializes in cryptocurrency and finance. As a born researcher, he won’t leave any stone unturned when it comes to topics he covers.

Oliver

Oliver is GrowFollowing founder and covers topics ranging from fintech to Internet.