Meta Announces Changes to Horizon Worlds
As Meta’s vision for a world in virtual reality dims, significant alterations are on the horizon for the company’s flagship platform, Horizon Worlds. By the end of March, this virtual reality realm will be phased out, with Meta opting to distance VR from its broader online Metaverse.
Horizon Worlds will become inaccessible via Meta’s virtual reality store after March 31, becoming a purely mobile platform. The idea is, perhaps, to enable each segment, VR and Horizon, to develop with more focus. This was mentioned in a community blog post, highlighting how this shift impacts their ecosystem, including mobile applications.
Even though the Metaverse still boasts an active user base, the financial drain on the platform is staggering. Reports suggest it’s racked up losses of around $77 billion since launch, leading to substantial workforce reductions earlier this year. Meta aims to prioritize advancements in wearable technology instead.
Reality Labs, Meta’s division overseeing this venture, reported a staggering operating loss of $6.02 billion in its fourth-quarter earnings earlier this year. It’s clear that while conditions aren’t ideal, there are still other virtual experiences thriving in this environment.
Some widely-used apps like gorilla tag and, of course, VR Chat, still maintain presence. VR Chat experienced a cultural surge in the early 2020s, generating a multitude of content from various users, including streamers and comedians. Predictions indicate these multilateral platforms could see 12 million users by 2025, with Quest VR headsets holding a substantial market share of 52%. So, I guess, not all is lost for Meta.
Interestingly, this shift certainly seems to mark a turning point for the Metaverse concept itself. It’s been a topic of conversation among some well-known figures, including Snoop Dogg, who once envisioned creating something new within this digital realm. However, platforms like Roblox, Fortnite, and Minecraft have overshadowed it as preferred online hangouts for younger audiences.
