Mark Zuckerberg presented the Metaverse just over four years ago as the vision of the future for technology and communications, while rebranding Facebook as Meta. This transformation was accompanied by a multimillion-dollar investment aimed at creating a virtual space where users could socialize, work, and have fun. However, reality has proven to be very different, as the central platform of the Metaverse, Horizon Worlds, only reached a modest 200,000 active users, a figure considered insufficient given the magnitude of the investment.
An idea that was sold to us as inevitable
In a significant turn, Meta announced that Horizon Worlds will officially close on June 15, 2026. Users will no longer be able to build worlds in virtual reality or access the platform through VR devices, marking a clear failure in Zuckerberg’s ambitious vision. More than $80 billion in losses have accumulated since 2020 in the Reality Labs division, which is responsible for the Metaverse and virtual reality, raising concerns about the future viability of the project.
As of March 31, 2026, the most iconic spaces of Horizon Worlds, such as Horizon Central and Events Arena, will disappear. The only option that will remain will be a mobile version of the platform, which will resemble more of a three-dimensional social network than the immersive experience that was initially promised. The situation has led many to wonder if this is the definitive end of Meta’s aspirations in the Metaverse and whether the company will be able to regain its footing in the face of such significant losses.
This outcome is a reminder that, while technology advances by leaps and bounds, public acceptance plays a crucial role in the success of new platforms and visions. As the closure of Horizon Worlds approaches, the future of Meta’s Metaverse seems to be at a crossroads.
