This chapter of The Metaverse: A Critical Assessment addresses the question of whether—and under what conditions—a metaverse will emerge. It begins by examining the driving forces behind its development, focusing on potential benefits for users and society. These include general advantages, such as enhanced cognitive support and novel experiences, as well as sector-specific improvements in areas like healthcare, commerce, and education. The chapter argues that the metaverse offers meaningful benefits over current technologies. It then considers the business case, concluding that while technological and investment challenges are likely surmountable, user acceptance may prove the most significant barrier. The analysis identifies key obstacles in user acceptance and explores how they might be overcome. Next, the chapter situates the metaverse within four broader technological and societal trends, each of which supports the plausibility of its eventual realization. These trends highlight the metaverse not as an isolated phenomenon but as part of a wider digital, social, and economic evolution. The chapter concludes with a tentative answer to the central question—“Will there be a metaverse?”—offering a balanced assessment of its prospects as a future digital platform.