Research framework of technology giants in the direction of meta universe layout: push back the necessary elements with experience upgrading as the end, and tear down the six components of meta universe research framework. The first is the hardware entrance (VR / Ar / MR / brain computer interface) and operating system that provide the meta universe experience, the second is the back-end infrastructure (5g / computing power and algorithm / Cloud Computing / edge computing) and underlying architecture (engine / development tools / digital twins / blockchain) that support the smooth operation of the meta universe, and the third is the core production factor in the meta universe (Artificial Intelligence) is finally presented as the content and scene of a hundred flowers blooming, as well as a large number of collaborators providing technology and services emerging in the process of the ecological prosperity of the meta universe. Based on the meta universe research framework established by us, we track the trends of domestic and foreign technology companies, so as to determine the resource endowment, advantages and disadvantages, power path, etc. of each giant in the direction of the layout of the meta universe 。
Metauniverse is still in the early stage of development. Every move of technology companies will not only contribute to maintaining their existing industry status, but also jointly shape the final form of metauniverse through their own efforts. By tracking the meta universe layout trend of domestic and foreign technology giants, on the one hand, we can dynamically track and periodically evaluate the future potential of each company, on the other hand, we can also be sensitive to the forward rhythm and development stage of meta universe.
Referring to the smart phone to the mobile Internet and VR hardware to the metauniverse, it is the core to reflect the stage and user scale. This report focuses on VR hardware manufacturers – HTC, Sony and Xiaomi, and analyzes their resource endowment based on VR hardware and content ecology.
HTC: build five VR product lines and build a virtuous closed loop of hardware content. HTC entered the VR hardware field earlier, built five product lines, faced diversified scenarios, covered a wide range of user groups, and occupied a considerable number of user minds. On the basis of VR hardware, HTC built its own VR game distribution platform viveport, which provides rich content ecology. At the same time, the company expands the richness of content by means of both incubation and investment. Up to now, HTC’s content ecology has covered multi-level scenes such as games, social networking, office and education, which complement hardware to form a closed-loop ecosystem.
Sony: PSVR is unique, and massive high-quality content is expected to usher in value revaluation. Sony VR hardware is an extension of the game console PS. it forms a differentiated user positioning with the mainstream VR hardware and superimposes the advantages of high-quality exclusive game content. The market share and sales volume of PSVR continue to grow. By 2020, the sales volume of PSVR has exceeded 5 million. At the same time, Sony, as a global leading group integrating games, music and film and television, also owns classic IP such as spider man, man in black and Peter Rabbit, as well as the music copyright of top artists such as Michael Jackson and Beyonce. Facing the meta universe, the value of Sony Group’s digital assets is expected to be revalued. At present, Sony has cooperated with epicgames to explore the digital integration of relevant contents.
Xiaomi: XR hardware layout is still advancing, and actively layout the ecological construction of cloud games. Xiaomi once attached great importance to VR hardware. In 2018, Xiaomi jointly launched a Xiaomi VR all-in-one machine with a price of only 1499 yuan, continuing Xiaomi’s high cost performance product characteristics. Or it did not promote new products after the industry was cold, and until 2021, it launched smart glasses, indicating that the exploration of XR hardware is still continuing. It is recommended to pay attention to whether Xiaomi will replicate the path to promote the popularization of smart phones on VR hardware. At the content level, cloud games are an important part of Xiaomi’s layout of the meta universe relying on the smart big screen. In 2021, Xiaomi jointly launched the “cubic meter” plan with China Mobile. With the help of users precipitated by smart phones and TV, Xiaomi will help distribute cloud games and further cut into the cloud game ecology.
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