Many big tech companies are trying to become the first big Metaverse project, with Meta (Facebook) and Microsoft at the forefront. Microsoft started a studio called Vortex.
Microsoft Lost Nearly 100 Employees to its Metaverse Tech Rival
According to a recent report, Microsoft’s augmented reality (AR) division lost nearly 100 employees, most of whom moved to rival tech company Meta and its Metaverse plans. The mass churn comes at a time when established technology companies are vying for leadership.
Microsoft employees are working on the company’s HoloLens product, an augmented reality headset that is already used in corporate applications. The device has not yet found a place in commercial applications as Microsoft is slowly perfecting the device.
These workers were attracted to higher salaries, according to The Wall Street Journal. Meta, formerly Facebook, is one of the most advanced companies in the Metaverse program. Recent reports suggest that Apple may have considered Metaverse as well, although it currently wants to focus on shorter experiences.
Even Disney is participating in the action, with a recently published patent showing a potential amusement park in a virtual world. Other companies in this area include Nvidia and Block, formerly Square.
Competition in this area is intensifying as VR/AR devices become more affordable and more experiences are released. It’s an exciting time for enthusiasts as both tech companies and decentralized projects come up with products for the next several years.
Physically focused Microsoft Vortex Metaverse Studio
Microsoft also announced a Metaverse studio called Vortex, which it says will be based on reality. What this means hasn’t been detailed, but it’s safe to say that it won’t focus on virtual worlds as much as many current Metaverse projects do.
The company has posted a number of job vacancies for Vortex. At the opening, the studio’s senior designer said his goal was “to bring together collaborative science, a mission for the good of the planet, and entertainment while pushing the boundaries of technology”.
With so many established companies struggling to create virtual worlds, the next decade will be a year when new VR/AR media content is maturing. Cryptocurrency projects are likely to play a key role in this area and it remains to be seen how they will coexist.
