The virtual world of Horizon Worlds, once envisioned as a cornerstone of the metaverse, is facing its end. Meta has announced a phased shutdown for VR users, effectively severing the social hub from its original platform by June 15, 2026. The experience will continue, but exclusively on mobile devices.
Launched in 2021, Horizon Worlds promised immersive interaction and boundless creativity. Despite early hurdles – famously, the lack of legs on user avatars – the company initially hoped to attract a billion users. The reality fell dramatically short, peaking at around 200,000 monthly visitors.
For those who invested time and digital currency within Horizon Worlds, the news brings uncertainty. While purchases and creations won’t disappear immediately, access will be limited to mobile-optimized worlds. Creators who haven’t adapted their spaces may find their work inaccessible, and VR world-building will cease after mid-June.
This shift signals a broader strategic realignment for Meta, a move away from the ambitious, resource-intensive pursuit of the metaverse and towards artificial intelligence and smart glasses. Recent months have seen the closure of VR game development studios, the discontinuation of a fitness app, and significant layoffs within the Reality Labs division.
Despite scaling back first-party development, Meta insists it remains committed to VR hardware. The company promises a roadmap of future headsets tailored to evolving market demands, and a continued focus on supporting third-party developers and enhancing the Quest experience.
A recent visit to Horizon Worlds felt strangely poignant, like wandering through the remnants of a forgotten dream. It was a glimpse into Mark Zuckerberg’s vision of a perpetually vibrant digital realm, populated by endlessly optimistic avatars. But the vast majority of the 10,000+ created worlds stood eerily empty.
Yet, amidst the digital ghost town, pockets of genuine community thrived. The Soapstone Comedy Club, though small, offered a haven for those seeking connection. For some, it was a lifeline, providing social interaction denied by physical limitations or circumstance. It was a testament to the power of VR to forge real bonds, even within a virtual space.
The comedy might not have been stellar, but the people were undeniably good. Housebound individuals, those struggling with social anxiety, and everyday people seeking connection found a home within Soapstone’s virtual walls. The thought of that community dissolving, reduced to a phone screen, is genuinely disheartening.
Before Horizon Worlds fades into digital history, it’s worth a visit. It’s a chance to experience a unique, liminal space – a digital echo of a dream that didn’t quite materialize. And perhaps, to say hello to the people who found a home within its virtual embrace, while there’s still time.
