Kanaev Evgeniy

The Metaverse in Southeast Asia: Teething Problems

ЮГО-ВОСТОЧНАЯ АЗИЯ: АКТУАЛЬНЫЕ ПРОБЛЕМЫ РАЗВИТИЯ, 2023, №4(60), 43-53

 
Annotation: The article illustrates salient features of the Metaverse-related developments in Southeast Asia seen through the prism of major regional consumption trends, as well as the evolution of the Metaverse around the world. Starting from an outline of determining factors behind the consumption growth in Southeast Asia, the paper proceeds to specifying reasons behind the popularity of the Metaverse across the world in general and the Asia-Pacific region in particular. Then the study turns to the evolution of the Metaverse in Southeast Asia with a special focus on the gaming industry. The author argues that although obstacles to the Metaverse development are in place and will probably remain serious, its regional prospects are generally positive. The paper extends the focus on previous research on the Metaverse and consumption trends in Southeast Asia that have been carried out in a fragmented manner. As the topics discussed in their synergy have not been in a research focus in Russia and other countries, the study takes a considerable step forward in developing an integral approach to the digital transformation of social, economic and commercial processes in Southeast Asia, which accounts for its relevance, novelty and originality.

Keywords: Southeast Asia, ASEAN, regionalism, consumption, data localization, 5G Internet, Metaverse, e-sport