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Meta Horizon Worlds is Meta’s social platform for exploring and creating interactive worlds. Visitors can socialize and take part in experiences made by other people; creators can build and publish worlds. Meta shifted the platform to a mobile-first direction in 2026, and its announced end date for Quest VR access has passed.
What is Meta Horizon Worlds?
Horizon Worlds combines social spaces with user-created interactive experiences. Meta’s store listing categorizes it as both “World creation” and “Hangout,” while its creator support materials describe tools for building worlds, adding scripted behavior, and publishing experiences. Meta Horizon Worlds store listing · Meta creator support
In practical terms, it is both a place to visit and a platform for making places other people can visit. A person who only wants to explore does not need to use the creator tools.
Can you still use Horizon Worlds in VR?
Meta announced that Horizon Worlds would become mobile-first and separate from the Quest VR platform. Its transition notice said Worlds would no longer be available in VR after June 15, 2026, and that the Quest app would be removed; Meta pointed users to the Meta Horizon mobile app instead. Meta’s March 2026 transition announcement
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- NO WIRES, MORE FUN — Break free from cords. Game, play and explore in immersive worlds — untethered and without limits.
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Meta’s Quest-specific update set March 31, 2026, as the date Horizon Worlds and Events would leave the Quest store. It said Horizon Central, Events Arena, Kaiju, and Bobber Bay would stop being available in VR, while remaining favorite worlds could be accessed until June 15, 2026. That date has passed. Meta’s Quest transition details
The Quest store page may still display a Worlds listing, but a listing is not proof that the VR service remains available. Meta’s dated transition notice is the relevant evidence for the announced end of Quest access. Meta Horizon Worlds store listing
Rank #2
- CARDBOARD MONKENAUT — Get our best Gorilla Tag bundle yet with this Amazon exclusive deal. Purchase Meta Quest 3S to get exclusive items, including the Gorilla Space Program Suit and Helmet, plus 2,000 SHINY ROCKS.
- NO WIRES, MORE FUN — Break free from cords. Game, play and explore immersive worlds — untethered and without limits.
- 2X GRAPHICAL PROCESSING POWER — Enjoy lightning-fast load times and next-gen graphics for smooth gaming powered by the Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 processor.
- EXPERIENCE VIRTUAL REALITY — Take gaming to a new level and blend virtual objects with your physical space to experience two worlds at once in your VR headset.
- 2+ HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — Charge less, play longer and stay in the action with an improved battery that keeps up. *Based on the graphic performance of the Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 platform vs the Meta Quest 2 platform.
How do people create a Horizon World?
Meta’s creator support materials describe a desktop editor operated with a keyboard and mouse, TypeScript scripting for interactivity and animation, and guidance for publishing worlds on mobile and web. These are creation tools, not prerequisites for visiting worlds. Check Meta’s current creator documentation for up-to-date tool requirements and availability. Meta creator support
What has Meta said about creator funding?
In 2025, Meta announced a $50 million Meta Horizon Creator Fund supporting mobile and mixed-reality creators in eligible countries, with monthly bonuses tied to factors such as time spent, retention, and in-world purchases. Meta also announced a $1 million mobile-focused creator competition for 2025. These were dated program announcements, not typical earnings or confirmation of 2026 eligibility or payment terms. Meta’s 2025 Creator Program announcement
Rank #3
- NO WIRES, MORE FUN — Break free from cords. Game, play, exercise and explore immersive worlds — untethered and without limits.
- 2X GRAPHICAL PROCESSING POWER — Enjoy lightning-fast load times and next-gen graphics for smooth gaming powered by the SnapdragonTM XR2 Gen 2 processor.
- EXPERIENCE VIRTUAL REALITY — Take gaming to a new level and blend virtual objects with your physical space to experience two worlds at once.
- 2+ HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — Charge less, play longer and stay in the action with an improved battery that keeps up.
- 33% MORE MEMORY — Elevate your play with 8GB of RAM. Upgraded memory delivers a next-level experience fueled by sharper graphics and more responsive performance.
For that competition, Meta announced prizes of $100,000 for first place in each genre category, $30,000 for second, and $25,000 for third. Meta reported that approximately one-third of submitting creators, including collaborators, were new to creating worlds; nearly a quarter of competition winners were first-time world creators. Meta also estimated that almost 70% of submitted competition worlds used generative AI tools in the desktop editor. Each figure describes that specific 2025 competition, not the creator community as a whole. Meta’s competition report and figures
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What the definition does not tell you
Meta’s official materials cited here do not establish an independently audited total for active users, typical creator earnings, or audience demographics. Its store listing notes user interaction and in-app purchases; these facts alone do not establish detailed moderation or age policies. Meta Horizon Worlds store listing
Quick Recap
Best Value
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Rank #4
- NEARLY 30% LEAP IN RESOLUTION — Experience every thrill in breathtaking detail with sharp graphics and stunning 4K Infinite Display.
- NO WIRES, MORE FUN — Break free from cords. Play, explore and exercise in immersive worlds — untethered and without limits.
- 2X GRAPHICAL PROCESSING POWER — Enjoy lightning-fast load times and next-gen graphics for smooth gaming powered by the Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 processor.
- EXPERIENCE VIRTUAL REALITY — Blend virtual objects with your physical space and experience two worlds at once.
- 2+ HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — Charge less, play longer and stay in the action with an improved battery that keeps up.
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