Meta releases Horizon Worlds Desktop Editor into Early Access
Meta has released the Meta Horizon Worlds Desktop Editor, a PC program that allows you to create worlds for Meta's metaverse platform.
The Horizon Worlds Desktop Editor is now available in Early Access in all 23 countries where Horizon Worlds is supported. The minimum age for creators is 13. Meta writes about the possibilities of the program, which is intended for both VR and mobile development:
"The desktop editor maps to traditional 2D and 3D app development workflows, letting you build new worlds on your PC. It supports new features like custom model import for building high-fidelity worlds, TypeScript support for complex game logic, and mobile optimization tools that let creators build more fun, interactive experiences."
In the U.S., the desktop editor also includes generative AI tools that can be used to generate sound effects and ambient sounds, as well as TypeScript code.
Until now, worlds for Horizon Worlds could only be created directly in virtual reality using relatively primitive tools. The desktop editor has been in development for years, but only first-party studio Ouro Interactive and select creators have had access to the PC program. Ouro Interactive used it to create the higher-quality Horizon Worlds games Super Rumble, Citadel, and Shootball. With the Early Access launch of the Desktop Editor, the existing option to create worlds in VR is being deprecated.
The Desktop Editor currently supports Windows PCs only. It does not run on MacOS and Linux.
To use the Desktop Editor, you need the Meta Quest Link PC app, which has system requirements. Once you have installed the PC app, you can download, install and start the Desktop Editor (see instructions). Further information can be found on the official website.
Meta offers 50M$ for Horizon Worlds developers
To encourage development of Horizon Worlds, Meta is launching a $50 million funding program, the Meta Horizon Creator Fund.
Developers from 18 countries are eligible for funding: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and Taiwan, in addition to the already supported countries, the United States, the UK, and Canada.
Meta plans to pay out bonuses from the support program to successful developers every month starting February 24th. "Each month, we’ll pay out bonuses from the Creator Fund to the makers of fun and engaging mobile and MR worlds. Bonuses will be tied to worlds’ contributions to the overall ecosystem across time spent, retention, and in-world purchases, so there are a variety of different ways for creators to maximize their earnings," Meta writes.
Until now, only Horizon Worlds creators from the US, UK, and Canada have been able to earn money through in-world purchases (microtransactions) for digital items and experiences. Starting February 24th, this opportunity will be extended to the above countries.
Meta's new Horizon Worlds initiative comes at a time of profound change in the Quest ecosystem, which has been difficult for traditional VR studios and has already led to numerous layoffs and studio closures.
The Meta Horizon Creator Fund is no help to the VR studios involved and can be seen as a disadvantage for developers compared to traditional ways of developing VR content. Currently, 30 percent of the revenue from app sales in the Horizon Store goes to Meta, while anyone developing for Horizon Worlds must pay 47.5 percent, or almost half, of the revenue from in-world purchases to Meta. In addition, it is not possible to port Horizon Worlds content to other platforms. The dependence on Meta's ecosystem is therefore greater.
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