People have already started to believe that metaverse is the future and is here to stay. It is similar to when the internet came in and started taking over aspects of our lives with technology. For those still unaware of the metaverse; the metaverse is a virtual space or world where people can interact with each other, and meet each other, with the ultimate goal that one day all of our tasks will be done in the metaverse. You will be represented by your avatar in the virtual world and need VR headsets, motion trackers, etc. to experience the metaverse. Many companies have already started exploring what it could offer to the whole world.
Now that people are vigorously searching for applications and exploring the potential of the metaverse, our dating lives are also going to be impacted by the metaverse. Since we are schooling in the metaverse and working in the metaverse, we will soon find ourselves dating in the metaverse! A lot of this progress can be contributed to VR games like Second Life where people are already meeting and interacting, so the concept is not entirely new.
Gone are the days when you’d swipe right on someone on your smartphone, in the future you’ll be in the comfort of your home and your avatar will do the job for you.
Companies are already venturing into metaverse dating
Online dating is already very common and according to a recent survey conducted by Dating.com, 33% of singles are already open to dating in the metaverse. The survey also highlighted through digital avatars, emphasis can be put on “communication and digital intimacy before in-person discovery.” It also unveiled that around one-third of the respondents would be open to exploring relationships with people who are not in their geographical area.
Online dating is already very common and according to a recent survey conducted by Dating.com, 33% of singles are already open to dating in the metaverse.
Several companies have also ventured into creating a VR space for dating. Match.com, The parent company of the renowned dating application Tinder has also been looking to get into the VR dating space. Previously, Match had announced postponing its metaverse plans owing to an unclear immediate monetization strategy.
Other VR dating platforms like Nevermet and Planet Theta are offering virtual dating services on their platform. Nevermet caters to people who own a VR headset and people on the platform choose to swipe or not (similar to the Tinder feature) based on people’s avatars. Planet Theta offers a virtual experience where you can interact with avatars in a “social VR” setting and also spent time with them alone if you choose to take them out. In May 2022, Flirtual made it to the headlines as it allows its users to “flirt in the metaverse and hook up in the real world.”
These are some of the companies that are trying their hands at creating a metaverse-dating experience. Much of this is like “who gets there first” as once people start adapting to virtual reality, traditional companies that couldn’t adapt to the technology can very soon fade out of people’s lives.
Why would people choose to date in the metaverse?
Over the past years, dating has evolved a lot. In the beginning, people were skeptical about meeting or dating online using apps and websites but with time many naturally settled into it. With evolving technology, people will start looking to explore dating in the metaverse by getting attracted to the features it offers.
For people who are socially awkward, introverts (or not), etc. the metaverse will allow people to experiment with their sexuality without any shame.
For starters, it will become very convenient for people to stay in their houses and let their avatars fall in love with someone. We can also say that there is a chance dating will become a little more cost-effective and save time if you cancel out the whole extra time that involves getting to the date and coming back from the date.
The way we adapt and interact with each other will also change over time and people can choose who they want to be through their Avatars. For people who are socially awkward, introverts (or not), etc. the metaverse will allow people to experiment with their sexuality without any shame. In other words, the metaverse will open an avenue of dating where you can without any fear be the version of yourself that you want to be.
The potential risks of dating in the metaverse
Having said that, there is a good chance that people will minus the “bad parts” about themselves and only be on their best behavior to experience love. When we experience new technology, it brings in a lot of risks too. People have also not considered that identity theft could be a huge risk in the metaverse. Until we get to a point where the technology is so advanced that they (companies behind the platform) know who is operating outside the virtual world, no matter what their avatar represents, dating in the metaverse will be on thin ice. Can you imagine all the broken hearts?
As far as companies are concerned, they need to have a clear monetization plan and also take care of users’ privacy in order to create a successful dating platform in the metaverse.
As far as companies are concerned, they need to have a clear monetization plan and also take care of users’ privacy in order to create a successful dating platform in the metaverse.
It will certainly be very interesting to see how dating takes shape in the metaverse. There are still so many questions about intimacy and whether virtual dating will give you the same “butterflies in the stomach” feeling or not which will unfold once dating takes off in the virtual space.
