If you’re a gamer, there’s a good chance you’ve heard of Facebook Horizon. The new social gaming platform from Facebook is set to take on the likes of Fortnite and other popular games. You may wonder, “What is Facebook Horizon?
Horizon Worlds by Meta is a free virtual reality (VR) application that enables people to socialize, play together, explore, and create. In an immersive world where they may freely walk with a legless avatar, players can explore Meta’s experiences. Additionally, gamers may explore community-created spaces as well as construct their own.
In this blog post, I will discuss what Horizon Worlds is, discuss its potential uses, and how businesses can benefit from using it.
What is Facebook Horizon?
Facebook Horizon is a social virtual reality platform that was announced in 2019. This software aims to provide users with an immersive and interactive experience that encourages social interaction and play.
When you download and open the app, you’ll notice three choices:
- Play (games)
- Attend (events)
- Hang out
Meta is releasing Arena Clash, a new team-based 3v3 laser tag game inside the virtual world.
In addition, they are releasing new mechanics and templates for game developers to utilize when creating their games.
In the Horizon Worlds, Wand & Broom and Mark’s Riverboat Pixel Plummet are some of the most popular hangout spots. Meta did not develop the areas above; they were built by the community.
In fact, the firm is pushing developers to create new virtual games and hangout locations.
There will be many more areas and games to explore in the future. Horizon Worlds, despite its name, is a planet with no horizons since it is always growing.
How to Use Facebook Horizon
You’ll need a VR headset and a Facebook account to use Facebook Horizon. Once your equipment is set up, log in to your Facebook account and enter Horizon. From there, you’ll be able to explore the various available experiences.
You can also create your own space to share with others or join one of the many existing community spaces
It is important to note that you can hold meetings through Facebook horizons in the Horizon workrooms project. Workrooms are a great way to collaborate on projects with others, as they provide a variety of tools that can be used for tasks such as:
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Virtual Workplaces
You can attend virtual meetings, collaborate on projects, and more. The virtual room looks fine, with a discreet, cartoony finish that doesn’t distract from the conference.
It includes little elements like clouds drifting past the loft window and smoke rising from adjacent chimneys, paradoxically adding to the setting’s realism and life.
The views out the window of the beach, mountains, and woods are also a wonderful change, particularly if you live in the center of a crowded town!
There are a few different layouts/scenes to choose from.
The basic setting seating everyone around a circular table that dynamically extends or decreases according to the number of attendees.
This facilitates cooperation and direct communication with coworkers, but there are other options.
Presentation mode transforms the area into a classroom-like environment with a virtual blackboard, while discussion mode allows for more informal catch-ups and brainstorming sessions.
These places aren’t yet customizable. However, such capability is expected to be included in a future update closer to the release date.
Avatars
In Horizon, your avatar is you – or at least, it’s meant to be a faithful recreation. You can adjust how your avatar looks to better match your real-world appearance, and there are a variety of clothes and accessories to choose from.
The level of detail is impressive, down to the smallest freckles and strands of hair.
And as you’d expect, avatars can interact with one another just like real people. You can high-five, hug, and even dance with others.
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Spatial Audio
Horizon uses spatial audio, meaning that sounds will change as you move around virtual spaces. This is particularly useful when you’re in a group setting, as it allows you to better hear people who are speaking near you.
Mixed Reality
Mixed reality is a blend of the real and virtual worlds.
It allows you to see digital objects in the real world and interact with them. For example, you can place a virtual TV in your living room and watch it just like a real one.
You can also use mixed reality to create digital art.
The app includes several brushes and colors to choose from, and you can even add real-world objects to your artwork.
When you initially attend a meeting, you’ll need to sketch the shape of your desk so that it can be properly mapped in virtual reality. That means you’ll feel your desk in real life if you lean on the virtual desk during meetings.
You can also bring your keyboard into VR, fully animated and with true 1:1 positional tracking, to type as swiftly as in real life.
Benefits of Using Facebook Horizon
There are many benefits of using Facebook Horizon. For example, you can:
1. Connect with Friends
Facebook horizon makes it easy to connect with friends. You can easily find and add friends in the app, and you can even see which friends are online and available to chat with.
2. Create and Explore
You can create your own space in Horizon or explore the many existing community spaces. There’s always something new to do in Horizon, whether you’re attending a virtual concert, exploring a virtual world, or playing a game with friends.
3. Learn and Grow
Horizon is a great place to learn and grow. There are many educational and informative spaces in Horizon, and you can even attend virtual classes and workshops.
4. Meetings and Events
Horizon is perfect for meetings and events. You can easily host virtual meetings and events in Horizon, and you can even invite friends to join you.
How Can Businesses Use Facebook Horizon?
There are many ways businesses can use Horizon. For example, businesses can:
- Host Virtual Events and Meetings
- Create Informative Spaces
- Train Employees
- Promote their brand
The possibilities are endless, and the potential for this software is great. With its immersive and interactive features, Facebook Horizon has the potential to revolutionize the way businesses operate.
Final Thoughts
Facebook Horizon is a new and exciting social platform with many potential uses. Whether you’re looking to connect with friends, learn and grow, or promote your business, Horizon is a great option.
I hope this article has helped answer your questions about Facebook Horizon and what it offers.
Espen
Espen is the Director of PursuitMeta and has written extensively about Virtual Reality and VR Headsets for years. He is a consumer product expert and has personally tested VR Headsets for the last decade.
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