Roblox shows new bits of the metaverse to its developers

More realistic avatars is interesting because it shows they're trying to make a broader platform that reaches outside their current demographic of mainly kids.

The face tracking via webcams is intriguing, I have implemented something similar in three.js for live synced facial expressions. I think this tech is the future of the metaverse, especially when you think it's applications VR and how your movements will be mapped 1:1 to your virtual avatar. On the topic of VR, I fully expect Roblox to launch on Quest 2 and future headsets bringing all of the content created for the platform into a new immersive paradigm.

Roblox is probably going to take things a step further on the virtual goods side and allow for items in-world to be minted on the blockchain as NFT's. Cosmetics, worlds, games, can all be owned by the users, which will see a massive uptake as it means better monetization for content creators. Their end goal is for everyone to use Roblox for work, play, and socializing, with all three blending into one to become the #1 place society spends time online. Just like billions of people today have a profile picture and page, and create content, their will be a 3D equivalent that equates to having an avatar identity, and spaces you've created and customized. That's the metaverse right there.

This is going to be incredibly disruptive to most social networks, as it means we're moving to a persistent, shared simulation that affords users a better sense of presence and being together.

We're in for a truly wild ride, folks.