Meta has reversed its controversial decision to shut down the virtual reality version of its flagship metaverse platform, Horizon Worlds, following a fierce backlash from VR users. The company had originally announced that the VR experience would be discontinued on March 31, but CTO Andrew 'Boz' Bosworth confirmed in an Instagram AMA that the decision has been rolled back.
User Backlash Forces U-Turn
The initial plan to kill off Horizon Worlds on Quest VR headsets sparked outrage among the VR community, with users arguing that the mobile version lacks the immersive quality that makes the metaverse compelling. Responding to the pressure, Bosworth stated, 'We've decided — effectively today — to keep Horizon Worlds alive on VR for existing games.' However, he made clear that no new VR games would be developed for the platform, as the company reorients its resources toward mobile platforms.
Financial Reality: $80 Billion in Losses
The strategic shift underscores the mounting losses at Meta’s metaverse division, Reality Labs. Since its inception in 2020, the unit has accumulated cumulative operating losses exceeding $80 billion and has yet to turn a profit. In January, Meta laid off approximately 1,500 employees, mostly from Reality Labs. Bosworth acknowledged that the industry 'has not grown as fast as we expected,' leading to the current restructuring.
Mobile Becomes the New Priority
Samantha Ryan, Vice President of Content at Reality Labs, had already signaled in February that Horizon Worlds would be 'completely focused on mobile' and was gaining momentum on smartphones and tablets. The decision means Meta will maintain VR access for existing users but will no longer invest in new VR experiences for Horizon. Instead, all future content development will target mobile platforms, a market far larger than the niche VR headset user base.
While Meta’s metaverse ambitions remain alive, the pivot to mobile represents a pragmatic response to harsh financial realities. Competition on mobile is fierce — from established platforms like Roblox, TikTok, and Snapchat — and it remains to be seen whether Meta can replicate the immersive social experience that defined its VR vision on a smaller screen. The move also raises questions about the long-term viability of VR as a consumer technology, as even Meta, the biggest backer of VR, is shifting away.