Heliyon (May 2024)
Unveiling the Metaverse: A survey of user perceptions and the impact of usability, social influence and interoperability
Abstract
This review explores the Metaverse, focusing on user perceptions and emphasizing the critical aspects of usability, social influence, and interoperability within this emerging digital ecosystem. By integrating various academic perspectives, this analysis highlights the Metaverse's significant impact across various sectors, emphasizing its potential to reshape digital interaction paradigms. The investigation reveals usability as a cornerstone for user engagement, demonstrating how social dynamics profoundly influence user behaviors and choices within virtual environments. Furthermore, the study outlines interoperability as a paramount challenge, advocating for establishing unified protocols and technologies to facilitate seamless experiences across disparate Metaverse platforms. It advocates for the adoption of inclusive, ergonomically oriented designs aimed at enhancing user participation. It addresses the ethical and societal challenges posed by the Metaverse, including concerns related to digital harassment, invasive marketing practices, and breaches of privacy. Additionally, the review identifies existing gaps in the literature, particularly regarding the Metaverse's implications for healthcare, its impact on educational outcomes, and the urgent need for empirical data concerning its long-term effects on user psychology and behavior.By providing a comprehensive synthesis of the current understanding of user experiences and challenges within the Metaverse, this paper contributes to the academic dialogue, laying the groundwork for future research initiatives. It aims to steer the development of the Metaverse towards a trajectory that is ethically sound, socially responsible, inclusive, and aligned with societal expectations, thereby fostering a digital realm that upholds the highest standards of integrity and inclusivity.
