Meta Commits to Horizon Worlds’ VR Future
▼ Summary
– Meta reversed its decision to shut down Horizon Worlds in VR, announcing it will keep the service running for existing games in response to fan feedback.
– The initial shutdown plan was part of a broader shift away from VR/metaverse investments, which included laying off 10% of Reality Labs employees.
– While the VR version will remain, users cannot create new spaces, and Meta will not invest in new games or major features for Horizon Worlds.
– Meta is emphasizing mobile and new content like virtual concerts on Quest, noting that most user and creator activity was shifting to mobile.
– Analysts question the long-term viability, as Meta’s cost-cutting pressure remains and the commitment is only for the “foreseeable future.”
In a surprising reversal, Meta has announced it will continue supporting its Horizon Worlds platform in virtual reality, directly responding to user feedback. This decision comes just one day after the company informed users it would shut down the VR version of its social metaverse platform. Meta’s chief technology officer, Andrew Bosworth, confirmed the policy change, stating that existing games and worlds will remain accessible to dedicated fans who voiced their support.
The initial plan to end Horizon Worlds in VR on June 15th aligned with Meta’s broader strategic pivot announced earlier this year. The company is shifting investments away from its metaverse and virtual reality initiatives, a move that included laying off ten percent of the workforce within its Reality Labs division. The platform was slated to continue operating solely on mobile devices, reflecting a perceived migration of user and creator activity toward that medium.
Bosworth clarified the company’s new position in a video posted to Instagram. He emphasized that while the VR app will remain available for download and use, there will be no new games or major financial investments directed toward Horizon Worlds. This approach mirrors a similar decision made with the Supernatural fitness service, where Meta halted future development but maintained the existing service. The ability for users to create new spaces within the platform has been discontinued, though all previously user-generated worlds will be preserved.
A company representative noted that immersive concert experiences, both in 3D and 2D, will continue to be available through the TV app on Quest headsets, with new events planned. However, the long-term outlook for Horizon Worlds in VR remains uncertain. Analysts point out that the phrase “for the foreseeable future” does not signal a permanent commitment, especially as Meta faces ongoing pressure to streamline costs in areas that are not delivering expected returns.
The reversal highlights the challenging balance Meta must strike between its ambitious long-term visions and the practical realities of user engagement and financial sustainability. While the community’s response has granted Horizon Worlds a reprieve in virtual reality, its future as a vibrant, evolving platform is far from assured.
(Source: Wired)
