WASHINGTON -- Facebook's parent firm opened its Horizon Worlds virtual reality platform on Thursday to the public in North America, in a step toward building its metaverse vision for the future.
Horizon Worlds is far from a fully realized metaverse, a future internet where online experiences like chatting to a friend would eventually feel face-to-face thanks to virtual reality (VR) headsets.
But headset-wearing users in the United States and Canada can now gather with friends or others, play games and build their own virtual worlds on Horizon as long as they are 18 years old and have the proper equipment.
Since last year a testing version of the platform has been available to a limited number of users.
Facebook renamed its parent company to Meta in October to emphasize its aim to shift from scandal-prone social media platform to its virtual reality vision for its future.
"We want Horizon Worlds to be a safe and respectful environment, so everyone must follow our Conduct in VR Policy," Meta said in announcing the opening.
"You have several safety options... which lets you take a break and then block, mute or report people," it added.
MORE ON METAVERSE:
What is the Metaverse, the Future of Facebook?
Metaverse: How Facebook Rebrand Reflects Dangers of Tech Monopoly
Facebook Metaverse is 'Super Problematic' for Your Privacy, Whistleblower Says
What If... Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp Never Came Back?
Meta-owned platforms Facebook and Instagram have been fighting to put behind them a crisis unleashed in September by reams of internal studies leaked to journalists and U.S. authorities by whistleblower Frances Haugen.
The documents underpinned damaging articles that generally argued the firm knew its products could harm users, but chose growth over safety.
The firm's metaverse push also includes tools for remote working, which has boomed during the pandemic.
Facebook in August unveiled technology for "workrooms," allowing remote collaboration for people using its Oculus virtual reality gear.
The "Horizon Workrooms" project makes it possible to switch back and forth from virtual reality to web conferencing to adapt to different situations.
Reportr is now on Quento. Download the app or visit the Quento website for more articles and videos from Reportr and your favorite websites.