A Metaverse Divided Over Design and Rules | WSJ U.S. vs. China

The metaverse race is heating up in China. Just like Meta and Microsoft in the U.S., Chinese firms such as Baidu and Tencent are investing in the nascent industry, but strict tech regulations mean China’s virtual worlds are set to offer very different user experiences.

Photo Illustration: Michelle Inez Simon

U.S. vs. China
This original video series explores the rivalry between the two superpowers’ competing efforts to develop the technologies that are reshaping our world.

More from the Wall Street Journal:

#Metaverse #China #WSJ

[Angelo-cble]

So when China regulates tech companies that's called "not being free and not good for in the innovation market" while, if in the US regulates tech companies its called " the right step" that's some double standards💀

[Benjamimic]

Can we just collectively agree to not use ANY big tech companies' metaverses? This needs to be more decentralized if we want to stop having our data stolen and used against us. Imagine what data they can get with VR eye tracking and deciphering what you're looking at, ie for Ads.

[boson]

After watching this video, I think the Metaverse beneficial value is : Entertainment 99% / Learning 1%.

[YahbiiCot]

Meta is way behind VRChat. VRC is everything the Metaverse wants to be minus brand integration and cryptocurrency. The avatars in VRC are better, the worlds are better, the graphics are amazing, the interactions between people are better, and it can track your entire body's movements in VR. The MetaVerse is like an old 1920 Ford Model T whereas VRChat is like a 2022 Audi R8.

[chdlccchdlcc]

Chinese regulation to protect young people from addiction does not look strict, it just makes sense and looks great! 👍🏻

[kjrom]

I really don't understand all this metaverse thing. It's just VR, VR has been around for a while. Do they really expect someone will spend hours and hours trying to do daily work or who knows what they think we'll do with a screen attached to their heads? Most people can't even afford a VR setup to begin with and its the least convenient thing in the world.
I really don't see the point, until we have some real full immersion Sword Art Online-style it really doesn't bring anything interesting or new to the table.

[momo_san]

Actually, China is more focused on AR (augmented reality), smart glasses, telling real time information, play games in the ar space with friends and strangers, face to face or online.

[almocambio]

The world is so happy to see China rise back to the top. Go China!

[TL-fesi]

It's not a metaverse if different worlds are separated with no connection, it's just a better VR game...😅

[hhydar]

Chinese regulators are doing a great job 👍🏻

[electronicManan]

I can't imagine China letting a metaverse really catch steam with its people. They try so hard to avoid their people getting addicted to games. Sure, virtual reality worlds can be useful in some ways (like work meetings) but 9 times out 10 it'll be a nonproductive addictive escape from reality.

[apexsupernova]

Why live in the Metaverse when you can live in reality?

[TwoNote]

That's a great thing, I wish we had more data privacy in the US.

[futiousstyles]

Never thought id say this but good on China 👍

[Avantime]

The Metaverse will die when the Fed raises interest rates and the cost of capital goes through the roof. Even Facebook will have to start conserving cash if the risk free rate of return goes to 10%.

[ledererova]

Chinese regulations of tech companies make sense to me.

[larrysherk]

In capitalism people think only about their profits. But China is building on ancient wisdom in developing fair trade with dignity, consideration, and human needs in mind. So I have no doubt which part of the universe is sustainable.

[lovehatebs]

Really like WSJ explainers like this. Keep it up :)

[SoCalFreelance]

The Metaverse examples you showed look like garbage. There is no reason why the Metaverse shouldn't look like Cyberpunk 2077, especially with Unreal Engine 5 Lumen and Nanite technologies. Sure it will be a 1TB download and require a high end graphics card, but it's worth it to experience a near-photorealistic environment.

[syasyaishavingfun]

Ugh can't stand that we all run away from reality to play pretend. I'm bad enough reading fantasy novels and watching superhero movies trying to get out of the real world but if you do every single thing in the virtual world its just so damaging.