Meta Discontinues In-Headset Building Tool for ‘Horizon Worlds’, Signaling a Change in Growth Strategy

Meta has unveiled an exciting new tool for creators in the form of a Desktop Editor for Horizon Worlds, now available in preview. This new editor brings a fresh, Unity-style game development platform to the table, marking a significant upgrade from the earlier Quest-native VR editor. Meta believes the PC-based editor will make crafting virtual worlds not only simpler but also significantly enhance their quality, a nod to its intention to phase out the older editor.

In a bid to broaden Horizon Worlds’ appeal, Meta is making moves to extend its reach. Although the platform hasn’t quite caught on with Quest users exclusively, a pivotal shift occurred in 2023 when Meta welcomed both mobile and desktop users. Until then, the platform primarily catered to the VR community since its initial beta phase in 2021. However, there are strong indications of a transformation on the horizon.

With this new Desktop Editor, developers familiar with game engines like Unity can craft and publish their worlds. Within their developer resources, Meta stated, “the VR creation tools … are legacy tools. We strongly recommend transitioning your development to the Desktop editor and other PC creation tools.” This transition could signify the beginning of a new era for game developers seeking more robust tools.

It’s worth noting that Horizon Worlds creators can still preview their environments in VR while connected to the desktop editor, although it’s not a necessary step. Essentially, both users and creators now have the freedom to explore and build worlds without a VR headset at all.

This development follows a leaked memo from Meta’s CTO, Andrew Bosworth, emphasizing the necessity for the mobile version to succeed for the company’s long-term ambitions to thrive.

Recently, Meta bolstered its efforts by announcing a $50 million fund aimed at promoting content creation within Horizon Worlds, hoping to spark engagement as independent VR studios grapple with challenges.

Meta’s strategic approach illustrates its commitment not only to Horizon Worlds by allocating substantial resources to developers but also to capturing the interest of a growing segment of younger Quest users. These users often gravitate towards free-to-play and socially engaging experiences—something Meta undoubtedly aims to tap into with Horizon Worlds.