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Facebook unveils ‘virtual reality’ social network ‘Horizon’ where you hang out and play games with pals in computer world
FACEBOOK is launching its own virtual reality social networking platform where you'll be able to meet up and play games with friends.
The VR world is called Horizon and players enter it as legless floating avatars.
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Facebook Horizon will be launching in 2020 but keen Facebook fans can sign up to in advance.
The tech giant announced: "Everyone will have the power to build new worlds and activities, from tropical hangout spots to interactive action arenas, all from scratch—no previous coding experience needed.
"Whether people choose to build, play, or simply hang out, Horizon will ensure a welcoming environment through new safety tools and human guides—Horizon Locals—to answer questions and provide assistance, if needed."
You'll need one of Facebook's Oculus VR headsets to enter the world, as demonstrated in the slightly cringe-worthy trailer.
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The "bustling town square where people will meet and mingle" described on the Horizon blog suggests players will be able to interact with strangers as well as Facebook friends.
The Horizon Locals will no doubt be there to keep trolls at bay as well as give general advice to players.
How the VR will coincide with our standard Facebook profiles remains unclear.
There seems to be lots of different types of games to play as well as more relaxed activities like painting classes.
The Horizon trailer on YouTube has received mixed reviews as some people are excited while others feel the VR world looks dystopian.
What is VR? Virtual reality explained
Here's what you need to know about the revolutionary tech...
- Virtual reality allows you to experience and interact with a 3D world that isn't real.
- To enter this virtual world you must don a VR helmet – a headset with a screen inside that makes you feel like you're somewhere else.
- This mounted display strapped to your eyes mixed with stereo sound and movement tracking lets you explore this immersive virtual world.
- You turn your head and the environemnt turns with you, making the illusion feel even more "real".
- Currently headsets span from expensive PC-linked helmets like the HTC Vive and Oculus Rift to more affordable goggles like the Samsung Gear VR that works by slotting a smartphone in the headset.
- The downloadable apps range from VR games to 360-degree videos created by publishers like the BBC and The Discovery Channel.
- They can transport you to 3D worlds that aren't accessible in real life, like a trip to Mars or a spin behind the wheel of a futuristic sports car.
- Until recently, these experiences relied on a PC or smartphone to generate this virtual world.
- But there are alternatives– like the Oculus Go, a wireless headset with a built-in processor that does all the work itself.
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In other news, Facebook is collecting your SMS texts, calls and contacts – here's how to stop it.
Facebook has bought a start-up company that is developing brain-computer interfaces.
And, the tech giant could also be getting rid of ‘likes’ after Instagram ditched the feature to ‘remove pressure’.
Do you want to play in Facebook's VR world? Let us know in the comments...
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