You’ve probably heard how the metaverse will usher in a new era of digital connectivity, virtual reality (VR) experiences, and e-commerce. And tech companies are betting on it: Microsoft’s massive acquisition of game development giant Activision Blizzard for $68.7 billion reflected the company’s desire to bolster its position in the interactive entertainment space.

Prior to this, Facebook’s parent company renamed itself Meta, a key pillar of founder Mark Zuckerberg’s grand ambitions to reinvent the social media platform as “a metaverse company, building the future of social connection.” . But other non-tech corporations are clamoring to get in on the ground floor, from Nike filing new trademarks to sell virtual Air Jordans to Walmart preparing to offer…