Meta Platforms Inc. (META) is curtailing access to Horizon Worlds, its virtual reality destination, marking a significant shift away from the metaverse vision championed by Mark Zuckerberg. The move underscores the evolving priorities within the tech giant as it navigates a rapidly changing landscape.
Beginning June 15, users will no longer be able to create, publish, or update virtual worlds, nor will they be able to access Horizon Worlds through Meta Quest headsets, the company announced Tuesday. While, access to virtual worlds will remain available through the Meta Horizon mobile app.
The decision follows recent workforce reductions within the Reality Labs division, responsible for the company’s VR headsets and related offerings. In January, Meta initiated a layoff of 1,000 employees from the division, alongside the closure of some gaming and VR content studios.
Andrew Bosworth, the chief technology officer leading Reality Labs, communicated to staff at the time that the company would be focusing on mobile experiences rather than fully immersive virtual worlds accessed via headsets. This strategic pivot reflects a broader reassessment of resource allocation within Meta.
Zuckerberg’s push into the metaverse – a concept he embraced so strongly that he rebranded Facebook as Meta – has faced ongoing scrutiny from investors and regulators concerned with child safety. Despite billions of dollars invested in the effort, the company has recently shifted its focus and investment toward the rapidly advancing field of artificial intelligence.
Within Reality Labs, resources are being redirected from virtual reality gaming to wearable products that support Meta’s ambitions in AI, including the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses. This realignment highlights the company’s commitment to integrating AI into its consumer hardware offerings.
Read more at Bloomberg.com
