Learn how to begin crafting your own worlds and experiences in Meta’s highly-anticipated VR social platform.
When Meta’s Horizon (now called Horizon Worlds) launched as an invite-only beta last year, a small group of Quest users was permitted access to the ambitious social experience and given the tools to start building their own world, play games, create safe spaces for discussions, and make new friends.
Because it was an invite-only beta, many users were left out in the cold as they waited for access to Meta’s much-hyped platform. The reason for the delay was that Meta wanted to make sure its VR metaverse was ready for a larger community of users. The company also wanted to ensure it had thousands of worlds available for users to explore at launch, as well as the best tools to jump in and start creating. That said, we have some good news to share.
As of today, Horizon Worlds is moving out of its invite-only beta and will be available in open beta for free to anyone 18 years old and older in North America. Users can today jump into a large community of early Horizon Worlds settlers who’ve already been hard at work crafting various experiences for the company’s growing metaverse. So far there are action-packed games, tranquil locations in which to meditate, and a train that races across the metaverse. Horizon Worlds offers something for every taste and mood.
Meta’s vision for Horizon Worlds has always been about building a creator-friendly VR space with the best-in-class social world-building tools. The company spent the past year working with early users, listening to their feedback, and reshaping what world-building looked like in Horizon Worlds. To offer more support to creators, Meta announced a $10 million Creator Fund in October that offered cash prizes to world builders in an effort to encourage creativity. Those winners will be announced later this month.
On top of opening up Horizon Worlds to 18 and over VR users, Meta is also debuting a new team-based 3v3 laser tag game inside of Horizon Worlds called ‘Arena Clash’. The creators behind the game had access to new mechanics and new templates that they used to make Arena Clash come to life. These same tools will be available to you, which you’ll also be able to modify working scripts to create your own games for the community to play!
Horizon Worlds is designed to be a virtual safe space with endless possibilities. You are in full control of your experience there. Everyone must follow Meta’s Conduct in VR Policy, and if someone is bothering you, remember that you have several options. You can access your personal Safe Zone at any time through your wrist menu, which lets you take a break and then block, mute, or report people. To help you feel more confident in their social VR platform, Meta has created a handbook for first-time virtual explorers.
Here are some suggestions for those hopping into Horizon Worlds for the first time.
CREATE A VIRTUAL WORLD OF YOUR OWN
Whether you are flying solo or collaborating with friends, you can bring your kooky ideas to life inside Horizon Worlds using a plethora of intuitive world-building tools—all without leaving VR. To help you get started, Meta has been working hard on a series of simple tutorials designed to ease you into the experience. From designing and building to scripting and publishing, they’ve got you covered.
PLAY A WORLD HOP
‘World Hop’ is a set of randomized mini-games that two to four users can play together in real-time. At the end of the series, you could find yourself in a trophy room where you can compare your final scores and rank with other players.
COMPETE IN ARENA CLASH
In ‘Arena Clash’, communication is key. Master the map, find the best weapons, and work with your teammates to outscore the opposition in this high-octane battle.
EXPLORE THOUSANDS OF WORLDS BUILT BY THE COMMUNITY
According to Meta, Horizon Worlds is already packed with thousands of worlds to explore. To help you get a start, Meta has put together a list of community favorites to help get you started:
If you’re looking for some action:
- Action Island Teams: Team up and battle other teams on Action Island in a variety of different game modes. (Creators: 5andw1ch and tMARKbirman)
- Ice Cream Frenzy: Battle for the falling ice cream scoops! (Creators: SammyX09 and Soloo)
- Pixel Plummet: An arcade-style multiplayer battle royale with a vapor wave theme. Just make sure you don’t fall! (Creators: Matthias and collaborators SKitter_, OcuLos410, Laex05, and Traveseo)
- Wand & Broom: Fly high above Townscity on your magic broom or just explore the city and hang out with friends. (Creators: TheJohnMclay and collaborators rcdegs, Elastic_Plastic, JHeff.CS, Chrish_Topher_066, Solaris30, and burnbuns)
- Mark’s Riverboat: Grab your friends and enjoy a relaxing ride on the river aboard a triple decker riverboat. (Creators: tMARKbirman and 5andw1ch)
Horizon Worlds is open to anyone 18 and over in the US and Canada, available for download for free on Quest 2 here (as of January 13, 2022, it will no longer be supported on the original Quest).
Join the official Horizon Worlds Facebook Group to meet fellow community members, see the latest new worlds being built, and kick off a collaboration of your own!
Feature Image Credit: Meta
