The first thing that comes to mind for most people on the mention of the word metaverse is Facebook. The big tech firm has been quite vocal about the launch of its metaverse, even going as far as <a href="https://www.cryptoknowmics.com/news/facebook-rebrands-to-meta-with-plans-for-nft-support/">changing its name</a> to Meta in October 2021. But Facebook isn't the only big name to dive headfirst into the metaverse world; the prospect of virtual wars is now also driving militaries to build their metaverses. Could the world be looking at the possibilities of virtual wars soon? Are we already in the metaverse of such capabilities? Read on to find out.
<h2>What Metaverse Entails</h2>
Before expounding on all the sci-fi cyberspace wars possibilities that have geeks turning in their seats, what is metaverse all about? Why is it garnering all the interest going its way lately?

Interestingly, the metaverse has no agreed-upon definition, possibly because the space is still under construction. However, a consensus exists that it includes heavy use of virtual reality and augmented reality that persists even after a user exits. VR and AR aren't prerequisites for the metaverse since accessibility can be through smartphones, PCs, and game consoles. Their scope is diverse, from games and videos to shopping, socializing, working, and possibly war.

An attempt at giving it a definition can be made using the above parameters. The metaverse is an internet iteration that comprises a network of immersive 3D virtual worlds. It's aimed at improving social interactions and creating a virtual economy as diverse as the one in the real world.
<h2>Onto the Military Metaverses' Development</h2>
<h3>Not a Recent Development</h3>
Corporations are just beginning to scout the possibilities the metaverse has to offer, latecomers compared to the armies. For instance, the US military has experimented with VR worlds since the 1980s through its <a href="https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a294786.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">SIMNET</a>, an abbreviation for simulator networking. As the world's first demonstration of extensive simulated networking, it provided for extensive soldier training and war mission rehearsals.
<h3>Shortfalls with the First Examples</h3>
Even with improvements over the last two decades that provide soldiers with a synthetic world to experience combat situations, there was a drawback. All the VRs in SIMNET are separately designed to function as stand-alone VRs. Despite vast improvements like <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/251422110_Overview_about_the_High_Level_Architecture_for_Modelling_and_Simulation_and_Recent_Developments" target="_blank" rel="noopener">High-Level Architecture</a>, interoperability and issues with modularity still plague the space. Soldiers can't enjoy a single training platform tailored to their desired needs.
<h2>Enters the New Metaverse Iteration</h2>
Here's where the current conceptualization of the metaverse comes to play. The US and China are leaping from synthetic world training to an immersive metaverse defence world that supports seamless training.
<h3>Other Military Activities the Metaverse Supports</h3>
It can support a host of training support activities. The first of these activities is military education. The professional military education institutions which offer periodic classes to cadets may turn obsolete thanks to an upcoming system overhaul. Virtual learning opportunities tailored to a recruit's needs and capabilities may yet churn out better soldiers.

Recruitment is another avenue that the metaverse may mop up. VR shooting games that are more realistic and interactive versions of the popular <a href="https://www.americasarmy.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">America's Army</a> game are better at getting the best talent.  It makes training much easier.

Promotions and active duty placements could also be much easier with metaverse. It provides a better record of the activities and capabilities of soldiers based on war-like scenarios. It can also be very beneficial socially. War-game training scenarios requiring units of soldiers require good interactions and troop communications. The metaverse is the perfect way to assess this and group soldiers.

In addition, it can give a virtual 3D training ground that is a picture-perfect replica of the real world. That would be an indispensable geo-mapping opportunity for possible real-life action given to soldiers beforehand.
<h2>How Virtual Wars in Militaries Metaverses Could Pan Out</h2>
And it doesn't end in just training and support activities; war in the metaverse is a real possibility. Activities occurring in the military metaverse realm can have huge real-life implications. Some examples of how virtual wars in the Metaverse could happen include:
<h3>Incapacitating Enemy Metaverses</h3>
The single most deadly attack by an enemy's army could come in the form of shooting their opponent's metaverse. The metaverse is a 'parallel cognitive space that digitally twins real combat scenarios, where cognitive warfare can be advanced efficiently and enhanced at a fast pace.'

According to Josh Baughman., if the metaverse is incapacitated it would affect the opponent’s thinking, cognition, and action decision making. That's the equivalent of going to a fight drum. The disorientation from such an attack alone would severely demoralize an enemy's army. Without a fighting spirit, the war is as good as lost.
<h3>Alteration of Training Modules</h3>
It's no secret that training is the most important part of any military. It's solely responsible for the quality of soldiers churned out since it adversely affects their capabilities. If an enemy nation can manipulate the training module of an enemy's metaverse, the results could be catastrophic. Poorer quality soldiers, even with the best weapons could easily be out.
<h3>Planting Spyware</h3>
Information is indispensable to any military. The U.S. was only able to stop the Imperial Japanese Navy at Midway after cracking the Japanese military code. By knowing the Japanese planned actions beforehand, the tide of WW2 was gradually turned. If spyware can be planted on another military's metaverse, all their expected battlefield maneuvers will be known. All their responses to certain attacks will be laid bare. A powerful opponent can quickly become a lamb heading to the slaughter.
<h2>Take Away</h2>
The virtual wars by militaries in their designed metaverses could turn out to be quite an ordeal. Armies could lose battles before a single bullet has even been fired. While the common consensus is that the world is not there yet, that can't be said with certainty. Developments and exploration of the idea started in the 80s in the US. Armies are also well known for their secrecy, they could be revealing too little about their progress to fool opponents and maintain an edge. Alternatively, they could be bellowing hot air as a deterrent to enemies who could exploit shortfalls. All that can be said with certainty is the metaverse is coming to the military if it isn't already there.

The Dawn of the Age of Virtual Wars As Militaries Build Their Metaverses

The virtual wars by militaries in their designed metaverses could be a real ordeal. Armies could lose battles before a single bullet has even been fired.

Adam is an outgoing young lad who likes adventures and discovering new things.Despite his boring life, he loves writing about cryptocurrencies and exploring what blockchain technology can do for the coming digital world where all adventures will be virtual.

The Dawn of the Age of Virtual Wars As Militaries Build Their Metaverses

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