Virtual Reality (VR)

Meta launches Hyperscape to turn real spaces into VR

Ken Metral

18 Sep 2025 — 1 min read

Credit: Meta Platforms, Inc.

While most of Wednesday’s Meta Connect developer conference focused on smart glasses, the company also delivered a slate of metaverse updates, headlined by the rollout of Hyperscape Capture, a tool that brings photorealistic virtual environments closer to reality.

Hyperscape: Real-World Spaces, Recreated in VR

Meta first previewed Hyperscape at last year’s Connect, showcasing how it uses Gaussian Splatting, cloud rendering, and streaming to turn real spaces into immersive VR worlds. Now, the company is beginning an Early Access rollout of Hyperscape Capture for Quest 3 and Quest 3S users aged 18 and older.

With the feature, users can scan a room in just a few minutes. While the capture is quick, Meta notes that the rendering process can take hours before the space is fully transformed into a detailed digital replica. At launch, these environments are private, but Meta says private links for sharing will arrive later.

Already, Hyperscape has been used to create photorealistic versions of Gordon Ramsay’s L.A. kitchen, Chance the Rapper’s House of Kicks, the UFC Apex Octagon in Las Vegas, and influencer Happy Kelli’s Crocs-filled room.

The rollout begins today, though Meta says it may take time before all eligible users gain access.

More VR Games and Entertainment

Alongside Hyperscape, Meta announced several new VR game titles coming this fall, including:

Marvel’s Deadpool VR
Star Wars: Beyond Victory, developed by ILM
Demeo x Dungeons & Dragons: Battlemarked
Reach

Meta is also expanding its Horizon TV streaming app, which will soon support Disney+, ESPN, and Hulu. Through new partnerships, Universal Pictures and horror studio Blumhouse will bring immersive movie experiences like M3GAN and The Black Phone. Fans will also get a limited-time 3D clip of Avatar: Fire and Ash.

The Bigger Picture

While Meta’s wearable hardware is drawing attention this year, its metaverse announcements reaffirm the company’s long-term bet on immersive digital worlds. By combining photorealistic environments, blockbuster entertainment, and new gameplay experiences, Meta is working to make its VR ecosystem more compelling for both creators and everyday users.

PayPal and Google team up on AI-powered shopping

PayPal announced on Wednesday a sweeping new partnership with Google that will bring together the payments giant’s global financial infrastructure and Google’s artificial intelligence technology. The multi-year deal aims to deliver next-generation, AI-powered shopping experiences while deepening PayPal’s integration across Google’s ecosystem. AI Meets Global Payments

Atlassian buys DX for $1 billion to boost developer productivity

Productivity software giant Atlassian announced Thursday that it will acquire developer productivity insight platform DX in a $1 billion cash and restricted stock deal, marking its largest acquisition to date. DX helps enterprises analyze engineering team productivity and pinpoint bottlenecks that slow down development. The platform, founded five years ago

Nvidia invests $5 billion in Intel for AI chip partnership

Nvidia has agreed to purchase a $5 billion stake in Intel, becoming one of the chipmaker’s largest shareholders and cementing a strategic partnership to co-develop “multiple generations” of data center and PC products. Nvidia will acquire the Intel shares at $23.28 apiece, slightly below Intel’s prior trading

American Express raises Platinum card’s annual fee to $895 but adds $3,500 in perks

American Express on Thursday unveiled a major refresh of its flagship Platinum credit card, raising the annual fee to $895—up 29% from the current $695—but pairing the increase with expanded perks valued at $3,500 per year. The company said both consumer and business versions of the Platinum