Meta's new AI tools turn prompts into games you can then play inside Facebook and Instagram feeds

Meta is introducing two AI-powered tools aimed at simplifying game creation for Horizon, the virtual reality platform. These tools, Horizon Create and Horizon Studio, are accessible as mobile apps and browser-based platforms, respectively. Both will initially be available through early access, with waitlist sign-ups being accepted.

The tools allow creators to generate games with prompts, incorporating features like multiplayer, progression systems, art direction, and difficulty balancing. Creators can also modify the AI-generated games after the initial version is produced.

Meta emphasizes that these tools are designed to help creators build complete 2D or 3D mobile games, including systems that support longer play sessions. The company has not disclosed the level of control creators will have over the generated game logic, artwork, or other technical components. However, Meta positions these tools as a means to create full games rather than simple interactive experiments, setting them apart from competitors like Google's Project Genie, which focuses on short interactive experiences.

In addition to providing creators with a platform to develop games, Meta plans to promote games made using Horizon Create and Horizon Studio across Facebook and Instagram. This strategy allows users to view game clips on Instagram and join multiplayer games directly within the app without needing to download additional applications or navigate to another platform.

By integrating Horizon-made games within Facebook and Instagram, Meta aims to expose these games to a broader audience than Horizon has reached independently. This move also reflects Meta's strategy to reduce Horizon's dependence on virtual reality, as the platform has transitioned towards mobile access.

The initiative puts Meta in direct competition with Roblox, a leading online game platform with 123 million daily active users. Roblox has been expanding its AI-powered creation features, including a mobile tool that allows users to generate games using prompts. In contrast, Horizon has not achieved a comparable level of user engagement.