"The term "Metaverse" is thirty years old, yet only recently entered mainstream conversation, attracting both fascinating and skepticism. While some have promised its imminent arrival, in fact it will take a series of technological and societal leaps to realize its full potential. In The Metaverse, pioneering theorist, former tech executive, and acclaimed entrepreneur Matthew Ball offers an expansive tour of the "next internet": he presents a comprehensive definition of the Metaverse (going far beyond mere virtual reality headsets), explains the technologies that will power it, addresses governance challenges, and predicts Metaverse winners and losers. Bringing clarity and authority to a frequently misunderstood concept, this revised and updated edition of Ball's authoritative work demonstrates how the Metaverse will radically reshape society. "A comprehensive guide to every aspect of the metaverse."-John Thornhill, Financial Times "Offers a better understanding of the metaverse than the novel that coined the term-1992's Snow Crash."-Cecilia D'Anastasio, Bloomberg