Meta shifts Horizon Worlds focus from VR to mobile platforms

February 20, 2026 - 12:11

In a significant strategic pivot, Meta is shifting the primary focus of its social platform, Horizon Worlds, away from virtual reality and towards mobile and desktop devices. This move marks a substantial scaling back of the company's original vision for the platform as a cornerstone of the VR metaverse.

The decision repositions Horizon Worlds to compete directly with established gaming and creation platforms such as Roblox and Fortnite. By making the experience accessible on smartphones and computers, Meta aims to dramatically increase its potential user base, removing the significant barrier of requiring expensive VR hardware.

The company confirmed that development on the VR version will continue, but it will no longer be the central priority. Instead, resources are being redirected to build a standalone, cross-platform experience. This shift acknowledges the current market realities, where mobile gaming vastly outpaces VR in terms of active users and revenue.

The upcoming mobile version is expected to retain the core premise of Horizon Worlds, allowing users to socialize, play games, and build custom virtual spaces. Meta's challenge will now be to carve out a distinct identity in an already crowded digital playground, leveraging its social networking expertise to attract a broad, mainstream audience.