Meta Shifts Horizon Worlds Focus Away from Virtual Reality
Meta transitions its Horizon Worlds platform away from VR headsets to prioritize its mobile version. The platform struggles with declining user numbers and mixed reviews regarding bugs and overall experience.
Meta Horizon Worlds is an online multiplayer platform and game creation system developed by Meta Platforms. Originally launched in December 2021 for virtual reality headsets, the platform expands to mobile devices in September 2023 and eventually shifts its primary focus away from VR entirely. This strategic pivot marks a significant change for a product that initially serves as a flagship experience for the Meta Quest VR ecosystem.
The platform currently allows users to create customized avatars and interact within various shared digital spaces. Players access the system using VR headsets with motion controllers, through mobile apps, or via a web browser without any specialized equipment. A specific area within the platform called Venues hosts live events for communities to gather and experience entertainment together.
Despite its ambitious goals, Horizon Worlds experiences notable challenges since its debut. The platform sees a drop in monthly users from an estimated 300,000 in early 2022 to under 200,000 by late that same year. Critics give the platform mixed reviews, frequently pointing to persistent bugs and an unengaging environment that ultimately degrades the overall user experience.