The numbers
In a significant shift for the metaverse landscape, Meta has confirmed that Horizon Worlds will no longer be available in VR after June 15, 2026. This decision comes as part of a broader reorientation of Meta’s metaverse strategy, which has seen the company invest a staggering $80 billion in the virtual reality space.
As part of this transition, Horizon Worlds will be removed from the Quest Store by March 31, 2026. Despite the shutdown of this flagship VR platform, Meta reassures users that its VR hardware line will continue to thrive. “We have a robust roadmap of future VR headsets that will be tailored to different audience segments as the market grows and matures,” a Meta spokesperson stated.
Historically, Meta, formerly known as Facebook, has been the single largest investor in the VR industry. However, the anticipated customer-facing service channel within the metaverse has failed to materialize in any meaningful way. This has led to a reevaluation of how Meta approaches its virtual offerings.
In contrast, companies like Walmart have successfully integrated VR into their training programs. Since 2021, Walmart has utilized VR-based training for its contact center agents, a move that has proven effective in reducing training time from eight hours to just 15 minutes. Employee satisfaction scores at Walmart surged by 30% following the implementation of VR training, with associates scoring 10-15% higher on post-training assessments.
As of 2023, a survey revealed that the average annual contact center turnover rate has reached a staggering 60%. This statistic underscores the need for effective training solutions, which VR has begun to address. Notably, Walmart’s VR training initiative has demonstrated a 96% reduction in training time for specific programs, showcasing the potential of VR in enhancing workforce efficiency.
Looking ahead, industry experts predict that by 2026, 25% of people will spend at least one hour a day in the metaverse for various activities, including work, shopping, education, and entertainment. Additionally, it is anticipated that 30% of organizations worldwide will have products and services ready for the metaverse by that same year. Marty Resnick, an industry analyst, emphasized the importance of preparation, stating, “It is still too early to know which investments will be viable in the long term, but product managers should take the time to learn, explore and prepare for a metaverse in order to position themselves competitively.”
As Meta navigates this pivotal moment, the future of its metaverse ambitions remains uncertain. While the company is shifting its focus to a mobile app version of Horizon Worlds, the implications of these changes for users and the broader VR market will unfold in the coming years. Details remain unconfirmed regarding how these adjustments will impact existing users and the overall VR ecosystem.