Horizon Worlds Now Available on Instagram & Facebook
▼ Summary
– Horizon Worlds links on Instagram or Facebook now launch directly in those apps if the Meta Horizon app isn’t installed, with mobile/web access via cloud streaming.
– New users undergo a short onboarding flow before entering a Horizon World, enabled by cloud streaming that works on any device with sufficient internet.
– Meta improved Horizon Worlds’ in-world camera system, removing UI overlays and player voices, and shared footage now includes direct links to the world.
– Meta is aggressively pushing Horizon Worlds as a mobile gaming platform, leveraging Instagram and Facebook’s 4 billion users and offering $2M in creator prizes.
– Despite claims of continued VR investment, Meta’s focus is shifting toward mobile, raising concerns among VR developers about declining funding for core VR games.
Meta’s Horizon Worlds is now seamlessly accessible through Instagram and Facebook, marking a strategic push to expand its reach beyond VR. Users can instantly launch Horizon experiences directly from either platform without needing the standalone Meta Horizon app. Whether through Instagram Stories, direct messages, or Facebook posts, the integration creates a frictionless entry point for new users.
For first-time visitors, a brief onboarding process ensures quick adaptation before diving into the virtual world. This streamlined access is powered by cloud streaming technology, eliminating the need for heavy downloads and making Horizon Worlds compatible with nearly any mobile device or web browser, as long as the internet connection holds up.
Meta has also upgraded the platform’s in-world camera system, now capturing cleaner gameplay footage by removing UI elements and voice chat. When users share clips directly to Instagram or Facebook, the posts automatically include a link back to the Horizon World, encouraging others to join with a single tap.
This move signals Meta’s aggressive pivot toward positioning Horizon Worlds as a major player in mobile gaming, competing with giants like Roblox and Rec Room. The company’s vast social media user base, nearly 4 billion monthly active users across its apps, gives it a unique advantage in driving adoption.
Internal memos reveal just how critical this expansion is for Meta’s long-term strategy. In a leaked note, CTO Andrew Bosworth emphasized that Horizon Worlds must succeed on mobile for the company’s broader metaverse ambitions to stay on track. To fuel this growth, Meta is pouring millions into creator incentives.
So far this year, two major competitions have awarded a combined $2 million to developers crafting mobile-friendly Horizon Worlds experiences. The “Mobile Genre Showdown” and “Elevate Your Mobile World” contests rewarded creators for standout gameplay mechanics and shareable moments, with prizes reaching up to $100,000 per category.
While Meta continues to invest in VR gaming, recently announcing a high-profile Deadpool VR title with Marvel, its focus is undeniably shifting. Declining Quest headset sales may further accelerate this transition, raising questions about whether Horizon Worlds can truly rival platforms like Roblox or if it will become another ambitious but unrealized Meta experiment.
Only time will tell if social media integration and hefty creator payouts will be enough to turn Horizon Worlds into the next big thing, or if it’s destined to remain a footnote in Meta’s metaverse playbook.
(Source: UploadVR)
