Meta has unveiled new development tools for its Horizon social platform, aimed at encouraging game creation. The tools, Horizon Create (an app for mobile) and Horizon Studio (a browser app), utilize AI prompts, and are currently available for early access sign-up.
In a bid to enhance the visibility of games made with these tools, Meta plans to recommend them on platforms like Facebook and Instagram. This integration allows users to join games directly from their feeds, eliminating the need for app downloads. The company emphasizes that games which are engaging and culturally relevant will receive more reach.
This announcement comes at a time when Roblox, a more successful gaming platform, is also focusing on AI-driven game development. Meta’s pivot to concentrating on mobile experiences reflects a broader trend within the company, as it incorporates AI across its services.
While there are concerns about the engagement levels of AI-generated games compared to traditional crafting, Meta asserts that its tools will help creators develop fully-featured mobile games. However, Horizon still faces challenges in scaling up to the user base of Roblox, which boasts 123 million daily active users, while Horizon has struggled to reach even 300,000 monthly users.
