WebXR and Commercial Game Engines for the Metaverse: A Socio-Technical Analysis of Openness, Interoperability, and Sustainability

Research from arXiv highlights a critical socio-technical analysis of the Metaverse, contrasting open WebXR technologies with proprietary commercial game engine pipelines. It argues that while the Metaverse is envisioned as open and interoperable, current development heavily relies on closed platforms. The paper suggests WebXR offers a path to a more accessible, device-independent, and institutionally sustainable Metaverse, particularly for education, research, and cultural applications.

The choice between open and proprietary development paths for virtual and augmented environments has significant implications for future digital ecosystems. Prioritizing open standards and technologies like WebXR could drive broader adoption, foster innovation through interoperability, and reduce reliance on single platform vendors, thereby influencing long-term strategic direction and investment decisions in digital infrastructure.

The Metaverse is commonly defined by persistence, interoperability, and embodied virtual/augmented environments.

Forward consideration, not a verified fact.