In Meta’s ‘Are We There But,’ not even Keke Palmer could make the metaverse make sense

In its new sequence Are We There But?, Meta is banking on the infinite charms of Keke Palmer to make their Metaverse extra interesting. However the present’s first episode, out right this moment, proves that even entertainers of Palmer’s caliber can solely accomplish that a lot with a foul script.

Are We There But? purports to be a crash course in “metaverse 101” that “showcas[es] the methods the metaverse will assist us really feel nearer, be extra collaborative, and be constructed by not just some, however by all of us.”

Provided that mission, the sequence ought to begin with the fundamentals: How a client can entry the metaverse by way of a digital actuality headset, what sort of spectacular entry-level experiences they’ll have there, and the way these experiences may match into their day by day lives. Mainly, how can the metaverse can enrich your life, improve your happiness, carry you nearer to pals, and enable you to be taught new issues?

I’m sorry to report that the primary episode of the sequence does none of these issues.

Palmer is (as at all times) a delight, as is the corporate’s metaverse VP Vishal Shah, who breezily jokes together with her whereas hitting speaking factors. However because the duo “drives” down a digital street, passing a floating skateboard the size of a metropolis block and two huge paddles taking part in ping pong in mid-air, it turns into clear that Meta nonetheless has completely no thought the way to clarify its merchandise to normies.

“How would you describe, in easy phrases, the metaverse to somebody who has no clue what it is about?” asks Palmer.

“I believe the best mind-set about it’s that the metaverse is the following part of the web,” replies Shah, in phrases that imply completely nothing to a median client.

Shah goes on to plug the power to create dream-like experiences in Horizon Worlds, noting that he is seen customers “constructing comedy golf equipment, speakeasies, haunted homes, [and] meditation areas” and that “the instruments to construct issues can be found now.” What instruments? You will by no means discover out, as a result of they’re by no means named. He additionally by no means explains the way to entry Horizon Worlds or the way to construct in it — simply which you can.

Like Meta’s current presentation about its digital actuality expertise, which is extra like a glimmer in its eye than a tangible near-term actuality, this sequence feels extra ostentatious than sensible.

“Everybody’s bought questions concerning the metaverse,” Meta mentioned in a press supplies concerning the present. Sadly, it nonetheless would not know the way to reply any of them.