The metaverse is quite possibly the future of the internet. To help our readers learn more about it, we've started this metaverse interview series. These are the questions we've compiled to ask experts in blockchain, DAOs, NFTs, and game development, within the HackerNoon community. The series is intended for tech professionals to contribute their insights about the current state and the future of the metaverse. If you would like to start contributing to Hacker Noon as well, you can do so here. If you also want to publish your thoughts about the metaverse, answer the template here. HackerNoon Prompt: So let’s start! First, tell us a bit about yourself. For example, name, profession, and personal interests. I'm Alexander Kozhenkov, a software engineer, and for the last four years, I have been architecting and developing distributed systems. Like any geek, I follow everything that happens in high-tech, and the metaverse seems to be a new chapter of humanity. The time we live in, it's crazy! Please sum up what the metaverse is in 1 to two paragraphs. I think what was shown in the movie “Ready Player One” is pretty close to the general idea of the metaverse. This is a virtual reality world that unites people from different places and allows you to do whatever you want. You can participate in an exciting rally and then sit on the boat with your friend and fish, enjoying the sun and silence. At the same time, in reality, it may be winter outside your window, and the Atlantic Ocean separates you from your friend. Are you currently, directly or indirectly, working on building a metaverse? I’m not working on building it, but I can imagine what kind of hype is around this now. Аnd of course, I would like to be a part of this process. In your opinion, is the metaverse inevitable, or is it just another passing trending tech topic that'll lose hype? I’m convinced that the metaverse is inevitable. This is an idea that cannot be abandoned and to which we are closer than ever. When VR didn't exist, it was thought of as fiction. But the transition from VR to metaverse does not even require any breakthrough technologies. Of course, the interfaces will get better. But even if we were frozen on the current development of technology, we would still be able to implement the metaverse. Why is the metaverse such a revolutionary concept? Metaverse blurs boundaries. With the development of the Internet, we have been able to communicate with each other worldwide. Then, online learning platforms made it possible to get an education regardless of location. VR made it possible to touch fiction. Metaverse removes all other obstacles completely. What can people build in the metaverse that we can't build on the Internet, or in virtual reality today? What limitations of our current technology does the metaverse free us from? I think we can build each specific piece using the internet or VR. The magic of the metaverse is that it brings it all together. I'm sure you still remember the feeling in a VR set, no matter how long ago you put it on. If we add to this the open world with all the other people, such a thought blows one away. How are the metaverse and blockchain related? Can we build a metaverse without blockchain technology? Bloackchain may or may not be a part of the metaverse. I don't think it is completely necessary for the implementation of the metaverse. How quickly do you think the metaverse will be developed? How much can we expect metaverse tech to grow in the next 5 to 10 years? Mark Zuckerberg talked about 5 years. I think this is more than enough for Proof of Concept development, but then it will get better and better. And in all directions - the VR interface, the platform itself, and, of course, entertainment content. What is your hope for the metaverse? Do you have any worries or does the concept pose any threats? I hope the key companies in this market will be able to agree and develop together. I wouldn't like us to live in a world where people are divided into xbox-metaverse and playstation-metaverse. Thanks for your time! Any final words? I’m sure, one day, we’ll meet in the metaverse!
