Meta's flagship metaverse service leaves VR behind
Ars Technica
by
Samuel Axon
February 20, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Meta has announced a significant shift in its metaverse strategy by separating its Horizon Worlds social and gaming platform from its Quest VR headset ecosystem. The company is redirecting its focus to mobile devices, making Horizon Worlds almost exclusively accessible through smartphones. Despite this pivot, Meta emphasizes that it remains committed to the VR developer ecosystem and will continue producing VR headsets.
This decision comes amid challenges for Meta's Reality Labs division, which has invested over $80 billion in mixed reality projects. The company faced setbacks, including a January 2023 layoff of more than 1,000 employees within Reality Labs, though the division continues to operate with over 15,000 employees. Meta's statements aim to clarify that this strategic shift does not signal a retreat from VR or the metaverse but rather an evolution in how it approaches these technologies.
For tech enthusiasts and industry observers, this move highlights Meta's ongoing commitment to innovation in both mobile and virtual reality spaces. By repositioning Horizon Worlds for broader accessibility via mobile devices while maintaining its VR hardware efforts, Meta is signaling a balanced approach to staying competitive in the rapidly evolving metaverse landscape.
This strategic pivot underscores the importance of adaptability in the tech industry, particularly as companies navigate the complexities of emerging technologies like the metaverse and mixed reality. As Meta continues to invest in both mobile and VR ecosystems, it reinforces its position as a key player in shaping the future of these digital spaces.
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Originally published on Ars Technica on 2/20/2026