Meta has announced that they are expanding their metaverse Horizon Worlds beyond VR, releasing it on mobile devices and web browsers in early access.
A small number of users can gain early access to the mobile & web version of Horizon Worlds. This early release, which kicked off on September 14th, contains one world so far, that is, Super Rumble, which can be accessed through the Meta Quest app on Android devices, as well as on web browsers through the official website. In both cases, you’ll need to create a Meta Account in order to be able to request access. It is unclear how many people precisely are allowed to play so far, but the plan is to gradually roll out early access over time as the developers gather feedback. According to the announcement, an iOS release is set to make its way in the coming weeks, while more worlds will be added in the upcoming months, allowing users to “hang out with friends, laugh it up at comedy shows, and enjoy free concerts and events from any web-connected device.”
“The metaverse should be available to everyone—no matter what device they’re on. And while Quest headsets are the most immersive way to access the metaverse, we believe there should be multiple entry points. Bringing Worlds to more surfaces is a step toward delivering on that vision and opening up the experience to more people.”
The announcement states that the mobile and web version of Horizon Worlds comes with the same safety features as those found in the Quest version, including the ones for teens. Controls have been optimized accordingly for each version, adding in a mute and pause button for PCs and mobile devices. It’s also been clarified that like the original version, these non-VR editions are available for free for everyone aged 13 and up in supported countries.
The featured world players can currently jump into is Super Rumble, an action-packed FPS where 2-6 players battle it out in 5-minute matches. It’s the first game made by Meta’s in-house studio, Ouro Interactive.