The Metaverse
Hype or Hoax?
Kapil Sharma(Author)
CRC Press
Will be published approx. on 4. August 2026
278 pages
E-Book
978-1-040-48947-5 (ISBN)
System requirements
for PDF without DRM
E-Book Single Licence
You are acquiring a single user licence for this eBook, which you might not transfer. [L]
Not yet available
Description
Alles über E-Books | Antworten auf Fragen rund um E-Books, Kopierschutz und Dateiformate finden Sie in unserem Info- & Hilfebereich.
The Metaverse: Hype or Hoax? offers a rigorous, balanced, and evidence-based examination of one of the most contested technology narratives of the twenty-first century. Set against the backdrop of accelerated digital transformation, this book situates the metaverse within the longer history of technological disruption, platform evolution, and socio-economic change. Rather than accepting optimistic forecasts or dismissing the metaverse as speculative hype, this book critically evaluates its foundations, ambitions, and constraints.
Drawing on industry research, academic literature, and real-world case analysis, this book explores how immersive technologies, cloud platforms, artificial intelligence, blockchain, and spatial computing converge to shape emerging virtual ecosystems. It examines where genuine transformation is taking place; where value remains unproven; and how organisations, regulators, and societies can navigate this uncertain terrain with strategic clarity.
Key features include:
* A clear conceptual framework distinguishing metaverse reality from hype cycles
* A layered architectural view of metaverse ecosystems and enabling technologies
* A critical assessment of business, economic, social, and governance implications
* Practical guidance for enterprises, policymakers, and technologists
Written for technology leaders, policymakers, researchers, and postgraduate students, this book provides a grounded reference for understanding whether immersive digital worlds represent a substantive evolution of the internet or a rebranding of existing technologies amplified by market enthusiasm.
Drawing on industry research, academic literature, and real-world case analysis, this book explores how immersive technologies, cloud platforms, artificial intelligence, blockchain, and spatial computing converge to shape emerging virtual ecosystems. It examines where genuine transformation is taking place; where value remains unproven; and how organisations, regulators, and societies can navigate this uncertain terrain with strategic clarity.
Key features include:
* A clear conceptual framework distinguishing metaverse reality from hype cycles
* A layered architectural view of metaverse ecosystems and enabling technologies
* A critical assessment of business, economic, social, and governance implications
* Practical guidance for enterprises, policymakers, and technologists
Written for technology leaders, policymakers, researchers, and postgraduate students, this book provides a grounded reference for understanding whether immersive digital worlds represent a substantive evolution of the internet or a rebranding of existing technologies amplified by market enthusiasm.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Illustrations
64 Tables, black and white; 76 Line drawings, black and white; 76 Illustrations, black and white
ISBN-13
978-1-040-48947-5 (9781040489475)
Copyright in bibliographic data is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or its licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Book
approx. 08/2026
1st Edition
CRC Press
€136.50
Not yet published

Book
approx. 08/2026
1st Edition
CRC Press
€56.00
Not yet published
Person
Kapil Sharma is a technology strategist, author, and consultant with over two decades of experience across digital transformation, cloud computing, cyber security, data platforms, and emerging technologies. He has led and advised large-scale transformation programmes for global financial institutions, public sector organisations, and multinational enterprises operating in highly regulated environments.
Kapil is the founder of a UK-based consulting and education firm specialising in cyber security, blockchain, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation. He is an established technical author, having written multiple books and professional publications on enterprise technology, operating systems, and distributed platforms. His work is recognised for combining deep technical understanding with strategic and regulatory insight.
Based in London, Kapil focuses on helping organisations navigate technological disruption without succumbing to hype-driven decision-making. His research interests include immersive technologies, platform economics, operational resilience, and the governance of complex digital ecosystems.
Kapil is the founder of a UK-based consulting and education firm specialising in cyber security, blockchain, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation. He is an established technical author, having written multiple books and professional publications on enterprise technology, operating systems, and distributed platforms. His work is recognised for combining deep technical understanding with strategic and regulatory insight.
Based in London, Kapil focuses on helping organisations navigate technological disruption without succumbing to hype-driven decision-making. His research interests include immersive technologies, platform economics, operational resilience, and the governance of complex digital ecosystems.
Content
1 Introduction to the Metaverse
2 Metaverse Platforms
3 Metaverse - Is It a Hype?
4 Metaverse - Is It a Hoax?
5 Architectural Foundations and Enabling Technologies of the Metaverse
6 Metaverse Decision Framework
7 Metaverse Strategies
8 Metaverse Business Cases
9 Metaverse Case Study: Transforming Skills and Training in UK Further Education
10 Conclusion and Future Outlook
2 Metaverse Platforms
3 Metaverse - Is It a Hype?
4 Metaverse - Is It a Hoax?
5 Architectural Foundations and Enabling Technologies of the Metaverse
6 Metaverse Decision Framework
7 Metaverse Strategies
8 Metaverse Business Cases
9 Metaverse Case Study: Transforming Skills and Training in UK Further Education
10 Conclusion and Future Outlook
System requirements
File format: PDF
Copy protection: without DRM (Digital Rights Management)
System requirements:
- Computer (Windows; MacOS X; Linux): Use the free software Adobe Reader, Adobe Digital Editions, or any other PDF viewer of your choice (see eBook Help).
- Tablet/Smartphone (Android; iOS): Install the free app Adobe Digital Editions or another reading app for eBooks, e.g., PocketBook (see eBook Help).
- E-reader: Bookeen, Kobo, Pocketbook, Sony, Tolino and many more (only limited: Kindle).
The file format PDF always displays a book page identically on any hardware. This makes PDF suitable for complex layouts such as those used in textbooks and reference books (images, tables, columns, footnotes). Unfortunately, on the small screens of e-readers or smartphones, PDFs are rather annoying, requiring too much scrolling.
This eBook does not use copy protection or Digital Rights Management.
For more information, see our eBook Help page.