Horizon Worlds

Meta Horizon Worlds is a multiplayer online game, game platform, and game creation system from Meta Platforms. It launched in December 2021, originally built for virtual reality headsets on the QuestVR platform. A mobile version followed in September 2023. Critical reception has been mixed, with reviewers pointing to bugs and an unpleasant atmosphere that hurt the overall experience.

Gameplay As of 2022, the game works with Oculus Rift S, Meta Quest Pro, Meta Quest 3, Meta Quest 3S, or Meta Quest 2 headsets, using full 3D motion captured by the headset and two handheld motion controllers needed to interact with objects. In October 2022, Meta announced plans for a web version, letting people access the game without a headset. Users can design a custom avatar. Everyone starts in a personal space that can be customized and optionally shared. A world called Venues hosts live events, including UFC fights, Tidal music streams, and NBA basketball games.

Development Horizon Worlds, originally called Facebook Horizon, followed earlier Facebook social VR apps like Oculus Rooms, Oculus Venues, and Facebook Spaces, but focused more on user-created content. Facebook announced it at the Oculus Connect 6 conference in September 2019. In August 2020, more users gained access to an invite-only beta. In January 2021, Facebook Reality Labs head Andrew Bosworth admitted the experiences weren't ready for the public and worried that without a strong draw, people might not understand it. In August 2021, Facebook released the open beta of Horizon Workrooms, a collaboration app for remote teams with virtual meeting rooms, whiteboards, and video calls for up to 50 people. On October 7, 2021, Facebook Horizon was renamed Horizon Worlds. After an invite-only beta, it launched in the U.S. and Canada for users 18 and older on December 9, 2021.

In March 2022, Meta introduced Builder Tracks, a developer program for making games inside Horizon Worlds, pledging $500,000 in prizes, a bootcamp, and developer support.