It was the lure of sitting courtside for college basketball's "March Madness" in 2018 that drew me into the metaverse. Just four years ago it was simply called Virtual Reality (or "VR") and I had to buy a headset and log into an app to get started. It was a bit clunky and the bandwidth was an issue, but I stuck with it because once the game started I had a front-row view. 

There were multiple "seats" I could choose from, including courtside on the floor, high in the upper deck, and behind the basket. And there was video AND audio so you heard the squeaking of the shoes on the hardwood as well as the roar of the crowd. And finally, it was social (sort of) since I could sit down next to friends who also bought the headset and we could talk to each other during the game, all while technically being thousands of miles away from each other and from the actual game. 

It was amazing technology, even if in its infancy, and I was hooked. Virtual March Madness was an excellent replacement for real March Madness. 

Fast forward to today and the World Cup appears to be offering something similar. Although I won't be traveling to Qatar for the live games, I may tune in to sit front row and catch the action in virtual reality. The action on the pitch.. the sounds of the game.. the chants in the stands... it will all FEEL real when it's fully immersive. If you can suspend reality in your mind for just a bit and let go of the physical ties to your seat you'll be able to enjoy it. 

Maybe after the game you can catch a live concert in any one of the many concert venues around the world that now stream their shows in the metaverse.

Enjoy it. This is only the beginning.