Meta today announced it’s expanding the company’s VR developer programs to include training on how to build games and experiences inside Horizon Worlds, Meta’s growing social VR platform. Devs can also nab some cash too—a strong incentive to help Meta build out its fledgling metaverse.

“Today, we’re inviting you to further unleash your imagination, expand your expertise, and bring your vision to life by joining one of our Builder Tracks for Horizon Worlds,” Meta says in a blog post.

This is set to include training through a Horizon Worlds boot camp, support from Meta experts and other VR devs currently building in Worlds, and the chance to compete for funding as well as cash prizes.

It’s doing this through Oculus Start and Oculus Launch Pad. Oculus Start is a program created for developers who have either launched a VR application or are close to releasing one, while Oculus Launch Pad was created to support promising VR content creators from diverse backgrounds. Both programs have been important to filling out the Store with a wide swath of VR content.

Through the new builder tracks, Meta says it’s offering up “over $500,000 in funding and cash prizes to program developers creating unique, innovative, and engaging worlds in Horizon Worlds.”

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Meta’s new builder tracks expand upon the company’s $10 million creators fund which was launched late last year in effort to initially attract developers to Horizon Worlds.

In comparison to established social VR platforms such as VR Chat and Rec Room, Meta’s Horizon Worlds still has a ways to grow before it sees record-breaking concurrent user numbers and more consistent engagement.

It’s still only available on Meta headsets, and only to users in the US and Canada. And while that’s not set to change today, it’s clear the company is looking to fill out Horizon Worlds with more grabby content to make it less of a virtual chatroom and more of a virtual destination.

If you’re building a VR game or experience for Horizon Worlds—or just thinking of building one—head over to either Oculus Start or Oculus Launch Pad to learn more, and sign up for your chance to access funding and expert support.

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Scott Hayden
Well before the first modern XR products hit the market, Scott recognized the potential of the technology and set out to understand and document its growth. He has been professionally reporting on the space for nearly a decade as Editor at Road to VR, authoring more than 3,500 articles on the topic. Scott brings that seasoned insight to his reporting from major industry events across the globe.
  • NJ

    Why are we waiting so long to see this outside of the US and Canada?
    It feels like an economy is being built in which some members will have a huge head-start. What is the point of a Metaverse for everyone when disadvantage is baked-in right at the outset?

    • ViRGiN

      Maybe because they want everyone to feel welcomed/at home, and rest of the world speaks different languages?
      They strongly hinted towards advanced language translations features, and this would be the key for a good experience for everyone to actually regularly use it, instead of checking out once and finding out it’s 80% americans anyway.

      • DickDastardly

        If their intent is to make speakers of other languages “feel welcomed” in Horizon Worlds, denying them access entirely doesn’t seem like a great way to accomplish that goal.

        It may also surprise you to learn that English is the main language spoken in quite a few countries outside North America (in England for one lol) yet the app isn’t available in any of those places either.

        • ViRGiN

          Main language? England? What else? Ireland. Yeah. That’s about it. Europe is diverse.

          • Ben Jacobs

            I’m not entirely sure illustrating your ignorance is going to make people believe you know what you’re talking about. In regards to Meta’s strategy or which nations speak English.

            Carry on though.

          • ViRGiN

            Are you a furry?

          • Ben Jacobs

            I did date a girl who’d dress as a cat at one point.

            She was hot and the sex was good.

            That said, I’m not sure I’d date an actual cat.

          • ViRGiN

            Keep smoking. Clearly keeps you high if you believe English is the main language in Europe.

          • Ben Jacobs

            Did I say or imply such?

            I just thought it telling that you can only name two English speaking nations.

      • guest

        Everybody can shoot virtual guns. That’s what they are exporting. Monkey see, monkey do!

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  • Now get VR Chat devs to hide the cringe inducing avatars w/ way better looking ones.

    I rarely use cringe…

    • ViRGiN

      This is something a pure weeb or furry only would be capable of saying.
      Why vrchatians make their (girly) avatars their ENTIRE personality? Horizon is aiming to be the place for normal people.

      • Don’t think the VR Chat devs made any of those avatars.

        • ViRGiN

          And? Nobody uses default Avatar you weirdo. Area you a furry or a weeb?

          • So?

            Boy are you bizarre.

          • ViRGiN

            So?

  • Justin

    Get out of my VRChat stream you normies RRREEEEEEEEEEE!

  • NL_VR

    The avatars look so “Facebook”. They are the worst.