Immersive Worlds on the Web - Towards the Metaverse

Dominique Hazael-Massieux & François Daoust

Immersive Worlds, or “the Metaverse”

Immersive (XR)
Independent domains
Online
Digital
Persistent
Interconnected
Navigable
Social

The Web as a (2D) Platform

? Immersive
✅ Independent domains
✅ Online
✅ Digital
✅ Persistent
✅ Interconnected
✅ Navigable
✅ Social

The Web as a Metaverse Platform

✅ Immersive (WebXR)
✅ Independent domains
✅ Online
✅ Digital
✅ Persistent
? Interconnected
? Navigable
? Social

Gaps

We need:

Safe immersive sandbox
Immersive navigation
Improved accessibility

What are the priorities for interoperable:

3D rendering of “classical” Web
3D object formats (à la glTF)
3D scene formats
3D capture & transmission
Group sessions
UX patterns (e.g. locomotion)
Identity management?
Avatar management?
Transportable 3D assets?

W3C Workshop on Immersive Worlds?

Previous relevant W3C Workshops
- Web & VR (Oct '16)
- WebVR Authoring (Dec '17)
- Inclusive Design for Immersive Web Standards (Nov '19)
draft Call for Participation
Setting a shared direction across industry
Hybrid format (physical host needed)
October / November 2022?

What role should the Web play for the metaverse?

We want to hear from you!