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These days, I’m feeling much better, which means this newsletter is arriving right on schedule again (hooray!). It’s been a productive and satisfying end of the week for me. On the professional front, I broke some exciting news about enhanced camera access on Android XR (more on that later). Personally, I also managed to whip up a delicious Italian pasta dish for some friends here in China, thanks to the ingredients I brought from home. Let’s hope the coming week is just as wonderful, not just for me but for all of you as well!
Top News of the Week
The Meta Quest Ecosystem Faces Challenges
Henry Stockdale from Upload VR has penned a detailed account of the current state of the Horizon Store. Since its merger with App Lab and the redesign of the Meta Horizon OS interface and mobile app, which seem to focus more on Horizon Worlds, it’s become increasingly difficult for Quest developers to get their games noticed. With games struggling to be discovered, revenues have taken a nosedive. Some studios report losses between 50% and 80% compared to previous earnings in 2023. Developers have been vocal about needing assistance, as I highlighted in a similarly personal piece a few months back. Meta urgently needs to refine the Horizon Store to make quality games more discoverable, rather than leaving them overshadowed by clones, like Gorilla Tag. However, Meta’s response has been to emphasize in a blog post how the year has been fantastic for Quest 3 and 3S, which is supported by Steam data, and to bring attention to shifting demographics. Almost two-thirds of headsets sold this year have gone to new users, especially younger ones who favor free-to-play games over premium titles. Essentially, Meta’s take is that they’re catering to a younger audience who enjoys free content. If you’re offering high-quality, premium games, you’re on your own.
Reading this left me shocked. On one hand, it’s positive that the XR space is seeing growth among young people, creating a new generation of VR-native users who will foster future development. However, it’s also important to remember that different user groups can coexist. Meta, taking a cut from every transaction, should strive to facilitate all, not just free-to-play game developers. Issues started becoming visible around mid-2024 when store changes were implemented, not as a consequence of more young users. So, it’s the store’s design causing decreased revenues, not the kids.
Without intervention from Meta, we might see more layoffs in VR studios like the recent ones at SideQuest and nDreams. Developers might pivot to create traditional flat-screen content or move towards emerging platforms like Android XR if Meta continues to neglect the situation. If Meta chooses to prioritize Horizon Worlds over its previously nurturing ecosystem for Quest developers, it risks losing those creators. Meanwhile, the community backs the developers, with Redditors advising fellow users to support premium games and consider deleting Horizon Worlds to alter search results. Amidst this turmoil, Mark Rabkin, VP of XR at Meta, has left the company for family reasons, adding further instability.
For further insights, check out articles from Upload VR and Road To VR on this evolving situation.
Other Important Updates
2025: A Pivotal Year for XR, Says Andrew Bosworth
A notable discussion this week revolves around a memo from Andrew Bosworth to Meta employees, which feels like a call to action. He declares 2025 as a "make it or break it" year for XR at Meta. Personally, I think this is more motivational than factual. XR, still budding, won’t face a landmark year; its biggest shift might be the entrance of Android XR headsets, with Samsung’s model potentially too costly to threaten Meta. Meta plans to invest deeply in XR through the 2030s, suggesting this year isn’t particularly extraordinary. Bosworth warns, "This year likely determines whether this entire XR effort will go down as the work of visionaries or a legendary misadventure," which some speculate might be setting up an excuse for potential failure. However, a pivot like abandoning VR for smart glasses seems premature, as Ray-Ban Meta’s sales haven’t proven mass adoption yet. The leaked memo mentions plans for "half a dozen wearables," hinting at smartglasses, smartwatches, and neural smartbands.
John Carmack offered critique, saying Bosworth should’ve included both VR and MR in the memo.
Find comprehensive details in the full memo and related reports from Upload VR.
Apple’s Collaboration with PSVR 2 Controllers
Apple is in the process of integrating PSVR 2 controllers with its Apple Vision Pro. This optional addition, for those who prefer a more traditional gaming setup, is pending confirmation. Once a partnership is confirmed, Sony will likely begin selling controllers separately. The update could be unveiled around June during WWDC with the announcement of VisionOS 3.
Stay updated for further developments.
Android XR Ensures Camera Access
Google shared with me that Android XR will offer camera access akin to smartphones, with permission prompts ensuring user control. This access enables developers to create authentic mixed reality experiences by using both the front and rear cameras, enhancing functionality for mobile apps that rely on user perspectives or avatar representations.
This change heralds new opportunities for mixed reality development. Keep an eye out for more information.
Additional News
Quest Game Optimizer Celebrates 100K Users
Amidst challenging times, here’s a silver lining: Quest Game Optimizer, which helps tweak Quest settings for optimal performance, has reached 100,000 users. Not bad for an app that needs to be sideloaded instead of downloaded from the store. Kudos to its developer!
John Carmack Highlights Beat Saber’s Impact
John Carmack remarked that "standalone VR was the biggest win that VR ever had, and Beat Saber was far more important than Half-Life Alyx." While he’s correct regarding adoption, both games have played crucial roles; Alyx especially highlighted VR’s immersive potential to dedicated gamers.
Ray-Ban Meta SuperBowl Ads Released
Meta has launched two Super Bowl ads for Ray-Ban Meta glasses featuring Hollywood stars. I watched one with Chris Hemsworth. Although entertaining, it lacked the punch to leave a lasting impression. Hopefully, it boosts awareness anyway.
Further explore these topics with more detailed reports from various sources.
Gaming Developments
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Civilization VII Ventures into VR: Sid Meier’s Civilization VII will launch on Meta Quest, expanding beyond traditional platforms. My nostalgia for Civilization II makes me smile, though its Quest appeal remains to be seen.
- Spatial.io’s New Gaming Endeavor: After several shifts in focus, Spatial.io has ventured into gaming with Animal Company, a Gorilla Tag-inspired title. Kudos on finding success after numerous pivots!
Stay informed on all these announcements and more by following from various trusted sources.
Content Highlights
Happy to share that Gorilla Tag is celebrating four years with a Birthday Bash, and Synth Riders is hosting a Kendrick Lamar Experience for Super Bowl LIX on Apple Vision Pro. New content keeps arriving on Quest, including Harpagun’s shooter-smasher game and Project Aeroes’ mixed reality experience. Exciting times for VR gamers!
Content Reviews
COLD VR offers a unique twist on SUPERHOT, though it might need some polish on specific challenging levels.
If interested, explore additional information and reviews on the featured content for more in-depth insights.
Remaining News Bits
Discover what’s happening with Steam’s new early access warnings, the merger of Stereopsia and AWE Europe into UnitedXR, and Meta’s internal development of "Desk Mode" for AI on Quest. While these stories continue unfolding, others remain more speculative.
Support XR Developers
The XR development landscape is tough right now. So, support us in any way you can: buy a game, leave positive reviews, share our work with your friends, or highlight our efforts on social media. Your support is invaluable!
Let’s End with Some Fun
Here are a few comical XR-related tidbits to lighten the mood. Enjoy a laugh and check out more on these playful insights.
Making a Difference
This week, instead of asking for support for my blog, I’m encouraging contributions to the Red Cross, assisting those affected by the ongoing crisis in Ukraine. Below, you’ll find a link where you can donate. I’d also like to express my gratitude to all my Patreon supporters for their continued help:
[List of patrons]
Here’s how you can help: Donate to the Red Cross.
(Header image by Meta)
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