A large part of the French do not understand the metaverse. While the tech giants are betting everything on virtual reality, the general public is having a hard time getting interested in the issue. This is also the case for the youngest…
The metaverse struggles to take flight. Sales of virtual reality headsets, down 12% year-on-year, and the low number of Horizon Worlds users show this. Despite the enthusiasm of some Silicon Valley titans, the general public has not yet really taken an interest in the worlds accessible in virtual or augmented reality.
According to a study carried out by the firm Censuswide for productsup, most consumers are not enthusiastic about going to metaverse. The youngest would also not be convinced by the concept. A survey conducted by Piper Sandlerwhich surveyed more than 7,100 American teenagers, reveals that half of 16-year-olds, including gamersare not at all attracted to a virtual reality headset.
The French are in the dark
This lack of interest is also visible among the French. According to a study by GetApp, a software company based in Barcelona, a large part of the French do not know the metaverse. Thus, 19% of the 1,010 people questioned say they have never heard of the concept or the name. 29% of French people had come across the term before without understanding its meaning. Finally, 19% of respondents knew the concept of the metaverse, but not the name. Only 32% of individuals claim to know exactly what the metaverse evokes. In short, the trend and the concept are far from having gained ground in France.
All age categories show a rather limited interest in digital worlds, in different proportions. According to the study, “58% of Generation Y respondents (born between 1978 and 1995) and 51% of Generation Z (born after 1996) » claim to be aware of the metaverse. Unsurprisingly, older people are less likely to be aware of the trend. In effect, ” 58% of baby boomers (born between 1946 and 1964) and 53% of Gen Xers (born between 1965 and 1977)” claimed not to know the metaverse. Although the younger generations are more accustomed to new technologies, ” they are finally only a slight majority to be aware of the metaverse ».
Read also: Meta, ChatGPT, Apple headphones… In 2023, will the metaverse finally find meaning?
A great future for an unloved idea
The study also reveals that many French people have a negative opinion the rise of virtual and augmented reality worlds. In detail, 8% have a feeling ” very negative » on the subject, 15% describe their opinion as ” rather negative”… and 29% have no opinion on the question of the metaverse.
Despite the reluctance of the French, 93% of respondents predict a great future for the metaverse, and believe that the concept will continue to expand. For 38% of people, the metaverse will even change ” everyday life to some extent”. Meanwhile, 38% of the remaining respondents believe that digital worlds will only attract a tiny portion of users.
In this context, it is not surprising that 92% of French people have never been to a metaverse, although 53% of them are interested in it. Before plunging headfirst into virtual reality universes, 28% of individuals who say they are tempted prefer to wait until ” the concept is fully accomplished”. Note that 26% of respondents do not know how they can connect to a metaverse. Companies in the sector must probably be clearer and do a little education.
For 25% of the curious, the price of the equipment is a brake. In order to take advantage of the possibilities of metaverses, it is indeed necessary to invest in a virtual reality headset. Some platforms, like Meta’s, are even reserved for owners of a VR headset such as the Quest. To attract more Internet users, metaverses will have to get rid of their expensive accessories. Meta has understood this well. This year, the firm will launch a version of its Horizon Worlds metaverse accessible through a browser, without a VR headset.
GetApp
