Businesses in Germany are skeptical of the vision of a “metaverse”. In a survey by the digital association Bitkom, published Wednesday in Berlin, one in two companies (48%) said they did not plan to invest in virtual worlds. Only one in ten companies want to invest money in “Metaverse” projects this year or 2023. 41% of companies have announced that they will invest in this area in 2024 or the next five years.
On the one hand, the “metaverse” refers to a digital and interactive environment that can be accessed with virtual reality glasses. In it, users can work, play, meet or shop as an avatar. The “metaverse” also includes applications where digital information is displayed in the user’s real field of vision.
Real and virtual world connections
Bitkom CEO Bernhard Rohleder referred to numerous connections between the real and virtual world. “Virtual goods are bought for real money, digital twins and avatars represent real people and machines.”
The Bitkom survey shows that only one in four companies (26%) are generally interested and open to the topic. However, 29 percent were critical and negative. A third (34 per cent) are still undecided. 26% of the companies interviewed see an opportunity in the “Metaverse”, while one in five companies (20%) fears a risk for their company.
Poll: Majority thinks “Metaverse” will significantly change the Internet
According to experts, the skepticism of companies in Germany may also have something to do with the fact that the virtual reality glasses of the Facebook group Meta, which dominate the market, are not sold in this country at all. The reason is a dispute with the cartel office. The Meta group lifted the controversial requirement of a Facebook login to use its Meta Quest 2 virtual reality glasses in August. Meta’s VR glasses, including the new VR Quest Pro glasses, are not yet available in Germany. Rohleder said the high price of VR glasses is also an obstacle, at least for private consumers.
In the Bitkom survey, a narrow majority (58%) of the companies surveyed are of the opinion that the “Metaverse” will significantly change the Internet and offer a multitude of new business opportunities. On the other hand, 42% consider it a short-term hype that will not live up to expectations and will soon disappear.
