Chapter 8: Economic Sustainability of Metaverse

The next version of the internet, the metaverse, offers tremendous opportunities through integrating our physical and virtual worlds and simultaneously faces some tough challenges. The purpose of this study is to examine both the opportunities and challenges of the metaverse and to emphasize economic sustainability as a key foundation that must be achieved for the metaverse to survive and thrive. The authors present an analysis of the major aspects that impact metaverse economic stability and growth, that is, energy consumption, infrastructure investment, and opportunities in business and finance. In addition, the authors mention the importance of robust business models, cultural acceptance, and the use of sustainable design principles to create successful metaverse ecosystems. Exploring economic ecosystems in immersive virtual space not only contributes to a deeper understanding of the metaverse economy but also helps stakeholders consider the complexities of building a just and sustainable metaverse.