Meta Reverses VR Metaverse Shutdown

Meta is backtracking on its earlier plans to cease support for the virtual reality version of its metaverse platform, Horizon Worlds. Chief Technology Officer Andrew Bosworth announced that the company will continue to support VR for existing games, ensuring that fans who have reached out will still be able to access the app in VR for the "foreseeable future."

This announcement follows a recent statement that Horizon Worlds in VR would become inaccessible after June 15, as Meta shifted its metaverse focus to mobile platforms. Despite Horizon Worlds not achieving widespread popularity, its potential shutdown was seen as a signal of Meta's evolving priorities, including a greater emphasis on AI.

Bosworth addressed what he called "misinformation," emphasizing that neither Horizon Worlds nor VR is dead. He confirmed that Meta continues to invest significantly in VR technology, with plans for the next two generations of VR headsets underway. This commitment persists even after the company's metaverse division experienced layoffs and the closure of three VR studios earlier this year.

He further elaborated on the expansive nature of the metaverse concept, stating it was never intended to be limited solely to virtual reality. Augmented reality is also integral to Meta's vision, and Bosworth posited that even individuals using their phones could be considered part of the metaverse. He described how people can become engrossed in digital spaces through their devices, highlighting a broader, more inclusive definition of the metaverse that includes both virtual and augmented reality experiences, as well as mobile interactions.