Meta’s metaverse ambitions have sparked debate, but the company has reversed its decision on Horizon Worlds for VR. CTO Andrew “Boz” Bosworth announced that the community’s demand for access to the virtual environment led to a change of heart. Horizon Worlds will continue to operate in VR, while new games won’t be created for it.
However, Meta still plans to shift its metaverse focus to other areas, including AR glasses and mobile devices. The company had previously stated that it was moving away from VR and towards mobile platforms, citing higher engagement on those channels. This decision comes despite recent layoffs and a decline in headset sales, which have dropped 16% compared to last year.
Bosworth acknowledged that consumer interest has shifted towards mobile platforms, but emphasized the importance of maintaining a metaverse that allows for meaningful interactions with friends in virtual environments. The company is now exploring new technologies to make AR and XR headsets more social and engaging.
Source: https://gizmodo.com/meta-after-killing-the-metaverse-just-kidding-2000735795