Meta rebrands Quest+ as Horizon+ to boost VR ecosystem

Recently in early 2025, Meta announced that its Quest+ subscription service would be rebranded as Horizon+. This move is part of a broader strategy to emphasize the social interactions enabled by virtual reality (VR) through platforms such as Horizon Worlds. The company has been making changes to the interface of its headsets, particularly the Meta Quest 3, which has shifted focus towards enhancing social features and integrating experiences within the metaverse. Additionally, this rebranding coincides with Meta's plans to expand its VR ecosystem to include third-party hardware manufacturers. By 2024, the company intends to open its platform, allowing other manufacturers, like Asus and Lenovo, to develop headsets that can utilize the same app store and subscription options. This strategic decision aims to strengthen Meta’s position in the competitive VR market, particularly as it faces new rivals such as Android XR, which Google and Samsung are poised to introduce with their upcoming XR headset. While some may interpret this as a reaction to struggling sales of the Meta Quest, the company insists that the popularity of the Meta Quest 3 and 3S indicates a healthy demand for its products. Instead, the focus on unifying the VR platform under the Horizon+ branding reflects a proactive strategy to consolidate Meta's expansion into a broader VR ecosystem. Alongside this, the Horizon+ subscription model continues to offer value to users by allowing them to claim two VR titles each month and providing access to an extensive library of VR games. Currently priced at $7.99 per month or $59.99 per year, the subscription connects users to a range of titles, akin to services like Xbox Game Pass or PlayStation Plus. This rebranding and future plans signify Meta's commitment to evolving the VR landscape, ensuring it retains a competitive edge amid rising competition from Android XR and other innovative technologies. As VR technology advances and market dynamics shift, these developments are critical for Meta as they navigate their future in the industry, underlining the necessity of adapting and evolving in line with users' demands and emerging technologies.