Meta has officially launched Horizon Hyperscape Capture (Beta), a groundbreaking VR tool that allows users to scan real-world environments using their Meta Quest 3 or Quest 3S headset and transform them into immersive, photorealistic digital replicas. Announced at Meta Connect 2025 on September 17, this feature expands on the initial Hyperscape demo from last year, bringing the “holodeck” concept closer to reality by enabling anyone to create and explore hyper-realistic VR spaces from everyday locations.
Hyperscape leverages Gaussian splatting technology—a method that reconstructs 3D scenes from 2D images with high fidelity—to capture and render environments. The process is straightforward: Users point their Quest headset at a room or space for a few minutes to scan it, uploading the data to Meta’s cloud servers for processing. Within 2 to 4 hours, a notification arrives, and the digital twin becomes accessible in the Horizon Hyperscape VR app. Early demos showcased stunning recreations, such as Gordon Ramsay’s Los Angeles kitchen, Chance the Rapper’s House of Kicks sneaker collection, the UFC Apex Octagon in Las Vegas, and influencer Happy Kelli’s colorful Crocs-filled room. These spaces feel “just like being there,” with accurate lighting, textures, and spatial details that rival professional photogrammetry tools like Varjo Teleport or Niantic’s Scaniverse.
Currently in Early Access and rolling out in the US (with more countries soon), the feature is free for Quest 3 and 3S owners via the Meta Horizon Store. It requires a strong Wi-Fi connection for cloud streaming and processing. At launch, captured spaces are personal only, but Meta plans to add sharing via private links, allowing friends to join virtual hangouts in your scanned environments—perfect for remote collaboration, virtual tourism, or reliving memories. Developers can also use it to build more realistic metaverse experiences, from education and real estate virtual tours to enterprise digital twins, reducing the cost and complexity of creating immersive content.
The launch ties into broader Horizon updates at Connect 2025. Horizon Worlds now features faster performance via the upgraded Horizon Engine, enhanced 3D avatars, and generative AI for easier world-building. Horizon TV, Meta’s VR streaming app, is expanding with support for Disney+, ESPN, and Hulu, plus immersive effects for Universal Pictures and Blumhouse horror films like M3GAN and The Black Phone. A new fall VR game lineup includes Marvel’s Deadpool VR, ILM’s Star Wars: Beyond Victory, Demeo x Dungeons & Dragons: Battlemarked, and Reach.
Reactions on X (formerly Twitter) are buzzing with excitement. VR enthusiast Mikaël Dufresne (@purplemikey) called Connect 2025 “impressive,” praising Hyperscape as “cool tech” alongside avatar upgrades. Japanese creator VR創世神 Paul (@VRCG_Paul) shared a hands-on video of scanning a room, noting four demo spaces but upload issues—common beta hiccups. NewsBang (@Newsbang_AI) highlighted its potential to justify Meta’s valuation amid Reality Labs’ investments, while Visit Japan XR (@visit_japan_web) emphasized tourism applications. Reddit’s r/OculusQuest community echoes this, with users bypassing US restrictions via VPN to test it, though some report black screen bugs now resolved.
While promising, limitations include Quest 3 exclusivity (no Quest 2 support yet), processing delays, and privacy concerns over cloud uploads. Meta positions Hyperscape as a step toward a more tangible metaverse, blending physical and virtual worlds seamlessly. Download the demo or beta from the Meta Store to experience it—early adopters are already calling it a “glimpse of the future.”
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