Meta "Explicitly Separating" Horizon Worlds From Quest
Meta's New VR Strategy: A Shift in Focus for Horizon Worlds and Quest
Meta's latest blog post, penned by VP of Content at Meta Reality Labs, Samantha Ryan, has shed light on the company's renewed focus for the Quest ecosystem and Horizon Worlds. The post, titled 'Our Renewed Focus in 2026', is a comprehensive overview of Meta's new strategy, which aims to take the two platforms in separate directions.
Horizon Worlds: A Shift to Mobile
One of the key takeaways from the post is that Horizon Worlds will become "almost exclusively mobile". This means that the platform will no longer be pushed on Quest owners, and individual Horizon Worlds destinations will be removed from the in-VR store on Quest. Ryan writes, "We heard your feedback loud and clear, and after a year of collecting data and running experiments, we agree. We’re removing individual worlds from our store shelves in VR, and we’re separating worlds from the Store in our mobile app."
This change is expected to result in more impressions for apps on the store, as users will no longer be bombarded with Horizon Worlds content in the VR environment. Instead, the focus will shift to mobile, where users can access Horizon Worlds through the smartphone app.
Quest: A Focus on Third-Party Developers
On the VR side, Meta will focus on funding and supporting the third-party developer ecosystem instead of putting out its own blockbuster VR games to compete with them. Ryan notes, "While we’re proud of the world-class work from Oculus Studios over the years, among 1P and 3P apps, 86% of the effective time people spend in their VR headsets is with third-party apps."
This shift in focus is a significant departure from Meta's previous strategy, which has been criticized for prioritizing its own content over that of third-party developers. By supporting the third-party ecosystem, Meta aims to create a more diverse and vibrant VR experience for users.
Navigator UI and Horizon Feed
As part of the new strategy, Meta will also be introducing a refreshed Navigator UI, which will become the default on Quest. The Horizon Feed will be removed, and users will boot to a grid of their installed apps. Some Quest owners on the Public Test Channel (PTC) have already received a refreshed Navigator that lacks the 'Worlds' button.
Investment in VR Developer Programs
Meta has also committed to investing "nearly $150 million in VR developer programs" in 2025. This investment is aimed at supporting the growth of the VR ecosystem and providing developers with the resources they need to create high-quality content.
Implications and Forward-Looking Thoughts
Meta's new VR strategy has significant implications for the VR industry as a whole. By prioritizing third-party developers and mobile access to Horizon Worlds, Meta is creating a more open and inclusive ecosystem that benefits both users and developers.
However, the shift in focus also raises questions about the future of Oculus Studios and the role of Meta's own content in the VR experience. As the VR industry continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how Meta's new strategy plays out and what impact it has on the market.
In the short term, users can expect to see more third-party content on Quest, as well as a more streamlined and user-friendly experience. Developers, on the other hand, will be eager to see how Meta's investment in VR developer programs will benefit their businesses and help them create high-quality content for the platform.
Ultimately, Meta's new VR strategy is a bold move that aims to create a more vibrant and diverse VR experience for users. As the industry continues to evolve, it will be exciting to see how this new direction plays out and what the future holds for VR.
