Meta has begun testing closed spaces called “members-only worlds” in its social VR experience, Horizon Worlds. The company has launched a limited Alpha test to help creators grow and moderate their communities. Meta chose a small group of creators to build the members-only world and get their feedback.
In a blog post, Meta explained that creators can handpick members and give them special experiences. During alpha testing, each member-only world can have up to 150 world her members and her 25 concurrent visitors at any given time. In a members-only world, creators have a dedicated space to host book clubs, gather gaming groups, organize support groups, and hang out with friends and family without worrying about uninvited guests. Space can be launched.
Image credit: meta
“Every community develops its own norms, etiquette, and social rules over time as it nurtures its own culture,” Meta explains in a blog post. “To enable that, we provide tools that allow creators of member-only worlds to set rules for their communities and maintain rules for closed spaces. You can choose whether to share with other trusted group members and decide whether members are allowed to visit the world without the presence of a creator or moderator.”
The idea of Horizon Worlds members-only worlds is a welcome addition for users of the platform. It’s no secret that Horizon Worlds can create dangerous environments for users. Following reports of women being groped and sexually harassed in Horizon Worlds, the company rolled out a “personal boundary” feature that creates a virtual bubble of space with a two-foot radius around each avatar. The new members-only world can be seen as another way Meta addresses these issues.
The start of the new test will come when Meta expands the availability of “personal spaces” in Horizon Worlds in September. Personal Spaces give users a place to hang out, play mini-games, and invite friends before heading to an event.
Meta said last year that Horizon Worlds would be available on web and mobile in the future. Now, the company says his VR experience will be available on these platforms “soon.” By launching Horizon Worlds on more platforms, Meta is currently only available on the company’s proprietary Quest VR headset, making it more accessible.
