Mark Zuckerberg to Review Metaverse: Insights from Meta’s CEO

MetaversePlanet August 24, 2022

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Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg launched Horizon Worlds, the company’s premier Metaverse application, in response to significant criticism over its basic graphics.

This reaction was triggered by a selfie featuring Meta’s avatar in Horizon Worlds, shared to mark the platform’s introduction in Spain and France.

Mark Zuckerberg Will Intervene Horizon Worlds!

Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, a firm specializing in social media and virtual reality, has announced upcoming enhancements to the company’s Metaverse-centric app, Horizon Worlds. These changes aim to elevate the app’s immersiveness and visual appeal. Zuckerberg shared this news via an Instagram post, where he also revealed the new graphic style planned for the platform. The update, featuring significant improvements in Horizon’s avatars and graphics, is expected to fully utilize the capabilities of VR headsets. Zuckerberg noted the rapid development of Horizon in his post.

This update follows the launch of Horizon Worlds in Spain and France and addresses the criticism that arose from a simplistic avatar selfie used to announce the launch. The image, seen as outdated due to its basic graphics, drew critiques from influencers, columnists, and regular users of Meta, sparking widespread commentary.

Critics such as Kevin Roose of the New York Times have been vocal. Roose expressed surprise that Meta, having invested over $10 billion in VR last year, still showcased subpar graphics in its flagship app, likening them to those of a 2008 Wii game. Data analyst Emily Gorcenski also weighed in, describing Meta’s graphics as a disappointment reminiscent of 1995.

Zuckerberg acknowledged the simplicity of the photo he shared earlier in the week, explaining that it was quickly created to celebrate the launch. The intense criticism, he suggested, stems from the substantial investment directed towards Meta’s Metaverse unit, Reality Labs, which recorded over $400 million in sales in the second quarter of 2022 but incurred a loss of $2.8 billion.

To continue financing its operations, including the Metaverse division, the company recently issued $10 billion in bonds. Despite the current negative perception of the company’s initiatives, Zuckerberg remains optimistic. He believes that in the next decade, his company will profit significantly, offsetting today’s losses. Regularly discussing the Metaverse, Zuckerberg has expressed his desire to shape the future through these initiatives.