Exploring the Metaverse: Transforming Marketing Strategies in Virtual Environments
摘要
The metaverse, originally introduced in Neal Stephenson’s 1992 novel “Snow Crash,” set in a dystopian Los Angeles, has transformed into a worldwide phenomenon that combines virtual and real-life events. The marketing potential of the metaverse and its impact on consumer behavior is now gaining momentum. This chapter presents a multidisciplinary perspective on the Metaverse and outlines its potential impact on consumer behavior. The Metaverse is characterized by five important elements: digital media, spatiality, immersion, sharing, and real-time operation. This progress has garnered significant investment from businesses such as Google, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Meta. Early platforms such as Second Life have given way to more advanced virtual and augmented reality experiences. Walmart, Adidas, and McDonald’s are pioneering this new frontier. The metaverse provides unparalleled prospects for immersive consumer interactions, which will revolutionize buying, socializing, and marketing techniques. This book chapter studies the metaverse’s technology developments, market possibilities, and implications for future marketing and consumer behavior studies.