Meta’s Horizon Worlds launches on mobile and web in early access.

Meta, the company headed by CEO Mark Zuckerberg, has expanded its metaverse Horizon Worlds to mobile and web platforms, moving beyond virtual reality headsets. In an early access state, the 3D avatar-based social platform has rolled out its first Meta Horizon world to smartphones and computers. The initial offering is a free-for-all shooter game called Super Rumble, which allows two to six players to engage in five-minute fast-paced matches. Meta plans to introduce more experiences and worlds in the coming months.

Initially, access to Horizon Worlds on the web or Meta Quest app on Android will be limited to a few users, with an iOS rollout scheduled for the following weeks. Meta aims to increase access by gathering feedback and refining the experience gradually. The company believes the metaverse should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their device, and aims to provide multiple entry points. While Meta has not disclosed the number of its monthly active users, an October 2022 report by The Wall Street Journal estimated the figure to be under 200,000. Meta’s social platform is available in select countries, including Canada, France, Iceland, Ireland, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Interestingly, blockchain-based metaverse platforms like Decentraland and The Sandbox initially launched as PC and web-based experiences before expanding to virtual reality. Decentraland introduced its browser-based 3D virtual world in February 2020, while The Sandbox launched its Alpha on PC in November 2021. Both platforms are yet to release an official virtual reality port.

Meta Introduces Virtual Legs for Avatars in Horizon Worlds

In another development, avatars in Meta’s Horizon Worlds have received a long-awaited update: virtual legs. This addition comes after criticism directed at Zuckerberg for the lack of virtual legs on the avatars in his metaverse. During Connect 2022, Meta had promised to introduce legs in a future update, expected in 2023. The functionality was initially tested in Quest Home space with version update v57, and now users have reported the appearance of legs in the Horizon Worlds app.

Meta’s expansion of Horizon Worlds to mobile and web platforms marks a significant step in bringing the metaverse experience to a wider audience. As more experiences and worlds are added, Meta aims to make the metaverse accessible to people on various devices. The company’s decision to prioritize accessibility aligns with its vision of creating a more inclusive and immersive metaverse.