The metaverse workforce

Facebook is betting big on VR futures. “By 2030, the new generations of Oculus will allow users to teleport from one place to another without moving from their couch—not only for gaming and entertainment, but also for work,” Mark Zuckerberg told The Information’s 411 podcast. On August 19, the company introduced Horizon Workrooms—a “collaboration experience” that allows co-workers to collaborate, communicate and connect through VR. The idea is for the experience to feel as close to in-person as possible, even allowing for “lifelike” conversations.

The desire for location defying technology that provides true social presence appears to be a priority for many companies. Microsoft Mesh uses mixed reality (MR) to create interconnected worlds where the physical and digital come together. The selling point with Microsoft’s new platform is that people in different physical locations are able to collaborate and work in real-time on the same project via holographic experiences across different devices.

“You can actually feel like you’re in the same place with someone sharing content or you can teleport from different mixed reality devices and be present with people even when you’re not physically together,” says Alex Kipman, Microsoft’s technical fellow.

For those not quite ready to embrace VR or MR, there are an abundance of startups tapping into gaming mechanics to create virtual workplaces that foster collaboration and creativity.

Gather launched in May 2020, born from Zoom fatigue and the need for digital spaces that enhance natural connections. The platform aims to make “virtual interactions more human.” Kumospace and gen Z startup Branch operate in similar ways to Gather, focusing on heightening organic interactions using spatial virtual rooms that mimic physical environments, where users’ avatars can roam around and generate spontaneous moments.