Meta is expanding access to its VR social platform, Horizon Worlds, to more regions starting today. Horizon Worlds allows users to create interactive VR experiences, forming a key part of Meta's metaverse strategy. Although still in its early stages and reliant on pre-built Worlds, the platform aims to enable more user-generated content and interactions.
Key Expansion Details
- Global Rollout: Meta is rolling out Horizon Worlds to all Meta Quest markets in supported languages.
- Age Requirements: Available to users 13+ in most regions, 14+ in South Korea and Spain.
- Device Compatibility: Access is expanding to include headsets, mobile devices, and the web, allowing non-VR users to participate.
Significance
- Broader Engagement: The inclusion of non-VR users could serve as a gateway to Meta's broader metaverse ambitions.
- Cultural Integration: Meta is launching new VR experiences with celebrities like Sabrina Carpenter, potentially increasing interest from pop culture fans.
Future Outlook
- Long-Term Vision: Meta continues to develop its metaverse vision, with Horizon Worlds as a foundational element. The platform's ability to build VR worlds using AI prompts and sandbox tools is seen as significant.
- Gradual Rollout: Expanded access will be rolled out over the next few months, so not all users will have immediate access.
Meta's efforts indicate a slow but steady progression towards a more immersive and widely accessible metaverse.
