Dating in the metaverse – VnExpress Digitization

Although the script for the movie above is just fiction, it is no longer science fiction when metaverse is taking shape, where people can interact with each other through virtual reality technology VR.

Big tech companies like Meta, Microsoft, Google… are spending billions of dollars on virtual universes. Some experts predict that this technology will soon become an indispensable part of life, including travel, work, play and love life. Relationships today are less and less distant thanks to the Internet. The virtual universe is predicted to bring exciting new possibilities for love and dating, but also a lot of trouble.

The fun of dating in the metaverse

According to experts, the metaverse is a form of simulation of real life, so VR dating will be more real than traditional apps. In particular, users are easier to judge the other person through the metaverse thanks to body language, conversation, etc. Traditional dating and video calling applications are limited in terms of images, while talking through the metaverse. better simulate real life, like meeting in a virtual location, participating in a shared activity, and forming a more tangible connection.

“The VR space makes it possible for people to meet in Hawaii or at a coffee shop instantly. Metaverse gives people the opportunity to meet, interact more everyday,” commented consultant Elyse Hines.

Hines argues that certain communities can benefit from the metaverse through easier connectivity, no matter where they live. For example, people of the third gender can meet other people halfway around the world, giving them a better chance of finding someone with similar interests or personalities.

Grace Lee, psychologist and dating consultant, recommends using the metaverse as a way to increase your chances of finding love. However, she said that after developing connectivity in VR, users still need more engagement via a phone or video call.

“It’s hard to judge a relationship without actually seeing it in person,” says Dr. Holly Richmond, an expert in sexology. “Those who want a long-term relationship, they need to get off the screen.”

Ms. Lee compares the metaverse to the Netflix dating show Love is Blind. In this program, participants do not see each other until they commit to getting married. This forces participants to focus on the target’s personality rather than appearance.

“If you’re a 1.5-meter tall guy in real life, you might be at a disadvantage. But in the metaverse, height doesn’t matter,” Lee said.

Currently, there are a number of metaverse dating apps that are starting to gain attention. For example, Hyperconnect’s Single Town is a platform that allows users to meet at virtual restaurants and bars. VR dating app Nevermet is also where many couples come together.

Earlier this year, a couple got married in Decentraland and it was approved by an Arizona court. Earlier, an Indian couple also married 6,000 guests from afar, along with the late father of the bride.

Safe dating in the metaverse

Conveniently, the metaverse is also an environment full of predators such as harassers, scammers… Recently, a woman named Nina Patel was severely insulted in Meta’s Horizon Worlds platform, doing raised concerns about the lack of security in the digital world.

“Within a minute of joining, I was harassed with sensitive words. There were three or four male avatars of something constantly approaching me and teasing me. I tried to run away but couldn’t and had to escape. off the platform,” Patel recounts her experience with Medium.

Patel, co-founder of children’s education platform Kabuni, says that the avatars in Horizon Worlds are legless, but are still designed to “give a real feel to the mind and body” so it’s easy to make people other “psycho-physiological response”.

Meanwhile, Ms. Hines said it was necessary to create codes of conduct to ensure the safety of participants in metaverse dating platforms. “I’m terrified of what can happen in this space. Platform companies need to take responsibility and adjust it accordingly,” Ms. Hines said.

Concerns aside, many experts believe the metaverse is a huge opportunity for the dating industry to forge deeper connections between people. “I think as the metaverse continues to evolve, at some point the line between face-to-face dating and video dating will be blurred. I view that as a positive,” said Schleien Zach Schleien, the man behind the app. Filteroff video dating app, said.

Bao Lam (according to Fortune)