Metaverse Everywhere: Horizon Worlds Breaks Free from VR, Arrives on Phones and Web

The metaverse is stepping out of the virtual reality realm and into your pocket! Meta, under the leadership of Mark Zuckerberg, is making a significant move to broaden the reach of its metaverse platform, Horizon Worlds. No longer confined to VR headsets, Horizon Worlds is now venturing onto smartphones and computers, aiming to make the immersive social experience accessible to a wider audience. Let’s dive into what this expansion means for the future of the metaverse and for you.

Horizon Worlds Goes Cross-Platform: What’s the Big Deal?

For those unfamiliar, Horizon Worlds is Meta’s ambitious 3D avatar-based social platform. Think of it as a virtual playground where you can socialize, play games, and explore virtual worlds as your digital self. Previously, this experience was primarily limited to those with VR headsets like Meta Quest. Now, Meta is breaking down those barriers, starting with an early access rollout to mobile and web platforms. This was officially announced in a blog post on September 15th, marking a pivotal moment for the platform.

Early Access Kicks Off with Super Rumble

To begin this cross-platform journey, Meta is launching with its first world, and it’s an action-packed one! Super Rumble, a free-for-all shooter game, is the initial offering for mobile and web users.

• What is Super Rumble? A fast-paced, multiplayer shooter game previously exclusive to VR.
• Gameplay: Matches are designed for 2-6 players and last for about five minutes, perfect for quick bursts of fun.
• Availability: Currently in early access on web and Android via the Meta Quest app, with iOS coming soon.

Meta emphasizes that this is just the beginning. They plan to gradually introduce more experiences and worlds to the platform in the coming months. Think of Super Rumble as the opening act, with much more metaverse content on the horizon (pun intended!).

Why Expand Beyond VR? Meta’s Vision for an Accessible Metaverse

Meta’s rationale behind this expansion is clear: accessibility. They believe the metaverse should be for everyone, regardless of the devices they own.

“The metaverse should be available to everyone — no matter what device they’re on,” Meta stated. “And while Quest headsets are the most immersive way to access the metaverse, we believe there should be multiple entry points.”

This statement highlights a crucial point. VR headsets offer the most immersive metaverse experience, but they also come with a higher cost barrier and aren’t universally adopted. By extending Horizon Worlds to web and mobile, Meta aims to:

• Reach a Wider Audience: Tap into the massive mobile and web user base, far exceeding the current VR user pool.
• Lower the Barrier to Entry: Make the metaverse accessible to anyone with a smartphone or computer, no expensive VR headset required.
• Increase User Engagement: Potentially boost user numbers and activity within Horizon Worlds, which reportedly had fewer than 200,000 monthly active users as of late 2022 according to a Wall Street Journal report.

The Phased Rollout: Who Gets Access First?

Don’t rush to your phone just yet! The initial rollout of Horizon Worlds on web and mobile is in an “early access state” and will be gradual. Here’s what we know about the rollout plan:

• Limited Initial Access: Only a select group of users will get access initially.
• Platforms: Starting with web and the Meta Quest app on Android.
• iOS Rollout: Slated for the coming weeks, so iPhone users will need to wait a bit longer.
• Gradual Expansion: Access will be expanded to more users over time as Meta gathers feedback and refines the experience.

Meta is taking a cautious approach, prioritizing user feedback to shape the future of Horizon Worlds on these new platforms. This iterative process allows them to optimize performance and user experience as they scale up.

Metaverse Expansion: A Different Path from Blockchain-Based Platforms

Interestingly, Meta’s approach contrasts with how some blockchain-based metaverse platforms entered the scene. Platforms like Decentraland and The Sandbox took the opposite route, launching as PC and web-based experiences first before considering VR.

This difference in strategy highlights the diverse approaches being taken in the metaverse space. While blockchain platforms prioritized accessibility and broader reach from the start, Meta initially focused on the immersive VR experience before expanding to other platforms. Both strategies have their merits, and it will be fascinating to see how these different paths unfold.

Bonus: Metaverse Avatars Get Legs!

In a somewhat related and highly anticipated update, Meta avatars in Horizon Worlds are finally getting virtual legs! This might seem like a small detail, but it’s been a point of much discussion and even criticism since the metaverse platform’s launch.

Remember the initial avatar reveals that lacked legs? It became a meme and raised questions about Meta’s massive metaverse investment. During Connect 2022, Meta promised legs would arrive in 2023, and they are now delivering on that promise.

The leg functionality has reportedly been tested in the Quest Home space and is now making its way into Horizon Worlds. While seemingly cosmetic, the addition of legs is seen as a step towards more realistic and expressive avatars, enhancing the overall metaverse experience.

The Metaverse is Evolving: Are You Ready to Jump In?

Meta’s expansion of Horizon Worlds to mobile and web is a significant step towards making the metaverse more mainstream. By breaking free from the confines of VR headsets, they are opening the doors to a much larger audience. While it’s still early days for this cross-platform rollout, the potential is immense. Will this move revitalize interest in the metaverse and bring in the masses? Only time will tell. But one thing is clear: the metaverse is evolving, becoming more accessible, and potentially more integrated into our everyday digital lives.