I Visited 50+ Horizon Worlds 💀

Summary

The video script provides a detailed exploration of Horizon Worlds, Meta's social VR platform, highlighting its challenges and potential. The speaker tests 50+ worlds, noting issues with clunky UI, slow navigation, and mobile limitations. While there are some interesting experiences, such as sports views and platforming games, the overall impression is that Horizon Worlds lacks the quality and polish of its competitors. The speaker criticizes Meta's focus on low-effort social worlds and advertising, suggesting that more support for independent developers and better curation could enhance the platform's VR offerings.

Takeaways

• 😀 Horizon Worlds is marketed as a social VR platform with various experiences, but it struggles to live up to the hype.
• 😡 The user interface in Horizon Worlds is clunky, slow, and difficult to navigate, even on a high-end headset like the Quest 3.
• 🚫 Many worlds in Horizon Worlds fail to load or don’t work as expected, making it frustrating to explore.
• 🏀 Certain branded experiences, such as NBA courtside and concert views, showcase impressive technology but suffer due to Horizon World's cartoonish art design.
• 📱 Mobile and browser versions of Horizon Worlds are disappointing, with limited functionality and a poor user experience.
• 💰 Meta prioritizes promoting low-effort, free social worlds over high-quality paid VR experiences, leading to confusion in its advertising strategy.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Horizon Worlds is more suited for children and casual users, but it fails to cater to adults or more experienced VR players.
• 🚪 Meta’s current direction for Horizon Worlds leans heavily on mobile access, but the mobile experience is far too limited to be viable long-term.
• 🎮 Despite the flaws, there are a few enjoyable experiences within Horizon Worlds, like Dream Leaper and Hardy Spade World.
• 🛑 The platform suffers from overpromotion of IP clones and microtransaction-based worlds targeting younger users, which detracts from the overall experience.

Q & A

What is Horizon Worlds, and how is it viewed by users and the VR community?

Horizon Worlds is a social VR game developed by Meta, designed to offer a variety of experiences such as games, social spaces, and events. It is often viewed by users as underwhelming, receiving criticism for its clunky interface, limited game options, and misguided aesthetic. Many feel it doesn't excel in any particular area, which has led to mixed reactions from the VR community and press.

What challenges did the author face while exploring Horizon Worlds?

The author faced several challenges, including clunky and slow UI, difficulty in navigating menus, and issues with sending or accepting invitations. Additionally, the performance of certain games was subpar, even on a high-end headset like the Quest 3. These frustrations made it difficult to fully enjoy the experiences Horizon Worlds had to offer.

How does Horizon Worlds compare to other social VR platforms like VRChat and Rec Room?

Horizon Worlds is similar to platforms like VRChat and Rec Room in that it attempts to combine various experiences, from PvP games to social hangouts and movie watching. However, the author argues that it fails to do any of these particularly well, and the overall design and execution of Horizon Worlds often feel lacking compared to the more polished offerings of its competitors.

What was the author's experience with Horizon Worlds' mobile version?

The mobile version of Horizon Worlds, including access through browsers, was deemed disappointing. The author found the experience degraded further with limitations in interaction, movement, and world access. It was particularly difficult to play meaningful or fun games on mobile, and the platform felt restrictive compared to the VR experience.

What is the main selling point of Horizon Worlds according to Meta's future plans?

According to a leaked memo, the main selling point of Horizon Worlds for Meta in 2025 is its mobile version. Mobile gaming is a significant part of Meta's strategy, and they plan to expand the platform's accessibility through mobile apps and browser access.

Why is the author critical of Horizon Worlds' aesthetic and its integration with branded experiences like NBA courtside views?

The author feels that Horizon Worlds' design is unappealing and detracts from the potential of immersive experiences. They liken it to attending a movie in an IMAX theater where the room's decor undermines the quality of the film. The branded experiences, like NBA courtside views, could be better served outside of Horizon Worlds, where the immersive experience wouldn't be compromised by the platform's art style.

What are the benefits of Horizon Worlds' avatar system, and how is it integrated into other VR experiences?

The avatar system in Horizon Worlds is used for free by many developers, such as in games like Golf Plus and 11 Table Tennis. This allows developers to save time on creating character systems. Additionally, Horizon Worlds is integrated into the Quest's UI, making it a core part of the headset experience.

What is the author's opinion on Meta's advertising strategy for Horizon Worlds?

The author is critical of Meta's advertising strategy, particularly its focus on low-effort, free social worlds in Horizon Worlds instead of showcasing higher-quality paid games. The advertisements seem targeted at younger audiences or users with less disposable income, which the author finds frustrating given their profile as an experienced VR user with many paid titles.

What kind of games does Horizon Worlds offer, and what is the author's assessment of their quality?

Horizon Worlds offers a range of games, including platformers, social games, and competitive card games. The author found some titles like 'Dream Leaper' and 'Hardy Spade World' enjoyable, but many other experiences were marred by IP clones, microtransaction scams, and low-quality content. Overall, the games in Horizon Worlds don't measure up to the independent titles available on other VR platforms.

What are the 10 best games in Horizon Worlds according to the author?

The 10 best games in Horizon Worlds, according to the author, are: 10) Robot Raiders, 9) Bobber Bay Fishing, 8) Horizon Mixed Reality, 7) Run Out, 6) Hardy Spade World, 5) Dream Leaper, 4) Smash Golf, 3) Super Rumble, 2) Pizza Kitchen, and 1) Element Battling Sandbox. These games were considered to be the most enjoyable experiences in the platform.