3 min read
Meta has taken a major step in its metaverse strategy by allowing users to share virtual replicas of their real-world rooms. Through its Hyperscape Capture app, owners of the Quest 3 and Quest 3 S headsets can now invite friends to join them in highly realistic digital environments created from physical spaces. The update marks a shift from solo experiences toward shared social interaction in VR.
Users begin by scanning a physical space with their headset cameras. The system reconstructs walls, furniture and lighting, then uploads the data to generate a photorealistic 3-D “world.” Once processed, users can hit Share to generate a link that enables up to eight people to join the same virtual room from VR or the Horizon mobile app. Meta says the rendering pipeline is shifting toward on-device processing and the update introduces spatial audio to enhance immersion.
By bridging the physical and digital worlds, Meta is giving users a familiar environment to socialise in. According to the company:
As the metaverse continues to take shape, we think a vibrant mix of experiences is key. Some days you might want to immerse yourself in an otherworldly adventure, which is where our vast library of VR apps and worlds comes into play. And other days, you might want to visit a digital replica of a physical space you might not have the opportunity to see otherwise. Or you might want to spend quality time with friends someplace a little closer to home. That’s what Hyperscape makes possible. By bringing you together in realistic digital replicas of physical spaces with the people who matter most, Hyperscape can make your experiences in the metaverse more meaningful and fun. In the future, we’re excited to see what creators build by mixing styles and approaches.
Analysts say this approach may better appeal to mass-market users than more fantastical metaverse worlds, because it lowers psychological barriers by recreating actual spaces users recognise.
Meta’s rollout comes at a time when VR market growth is increasingly focused on utility rather than novelty. According to Verified Market Research, the global immersive-VR market is poised to climb from US$ 15.75 billion in 2024 to US$ 88.32 billion by 2032. Verified Market Research
Meta’s move also mirrors a broader shift toward user-generated content: rather than building worlds for users, the company is letting users become creators of their own VR environments. This pivot could help Meta justify its long-term investment in Reality Labs.
