The XR Weekly Rundown (Feb 25, 2025): Potential Sale of Pokémon Go by Niantic, Meta Unveils $50M Creator Fund for Horizon Worlds, and More!

Here’s a revised version of the article with a more human-like tone:

Another week rolls by, bringing with it a fresh batch of XR news to dive into!

This Week’s Highlights

The Future of Niantic’s Gaming Division

Big news from Niantic has surfaced, as Bloomberg reports that the company is in discussions to sell its gaming division to Scopely, owned by Saudi Arabia, for a jaw-dropping $3.5 billion. This could mean someone else might end up owning Pokémon Go! Considering Pokémon Go’s massive success—even though its initial buzz has subsided—it still attracts a dedicated community and generates substantial revenue. It’s baffling that Niantic would consider parting with its golden goose, a game that not only fuels its operations financially but also feeds valuable data into developing its AR algorithms, especially its VPS and AR Cloud.

Analysts suggest Niantic aims to refocus on creating an "outdoor metaverse," transforming into a provider of AR services, and perhaps eventually powering AR headsets. Having that enormous sum in hand would certainly help clear distractions, allowing Niantic to advance significantly in the AR realm. It’s a bold, high-risk gamble, stripping away the steady revenue stream Pokémon Go provides to double down on AR innovations.

As an entrepreneur, such a leap without a safety net seems daunting. Yet, as an enthusiast for XR, it’s thrilling to witness Niantic’s commitment to XR’s future. If they’re willing to stake everything now, perhaps they foresee AR taking major strides in the next few years…

Curious for more? [Check it out]

Other Noteworthy Updates

Meta’s New $50M Creator Fund for Horizon Worlds

Meta recently revealed a $50 million fund to reward creators within its metaverse platform, Horizon Worlds. This initiative is designed to incentivize the development of engaging worlds by doling out bonuses to creators based on their contributions’ quality across various metrics.

Starting March 11, Meta plans to launch a world-building contest with prizes reaching up to $100k. Alongside, creators get a new desktop editor akin to simplified versions of game engines like Unity or Unreal, which supports Typescript for world logic programming.

While these efforts to support creators are commendable, there are mixed feelings. The timing seems off as developers express concerns over visibility issues within the Horizon Store, fearing Meta’s focus on Horizon Worlds threatens other XR ventures. Furthermore, choosing beneficiaries via popularity rather than by supporting promising pitch projects may deter startups and professionals unable to risk long development times without assured rewards.

It’s also notable how New World Notes critiques that Meta’s heavy investments in Horizon suggest existing creator ecosystems aren’t thriving as expected. Here’s hoping Meta can refine its strategy to truly resonate with its developer community.

Interested in the details? [Read on]

The Ongoing Struggles in XR

Unfortunately, the rocky wave in XR persists with more layoffs and ongoing dissatisfaction around the Meta Horizon Store’s visibility issues. Still, some studios enjoy success stories, proving that not all hope is lost.

• Embracer Group reported that Metro Awakening didn’t meet financial expectations, even though it was commercially successful and well-received.
• Toast Interactive, creators of games like Richie’s Plank Experience, faced layoffs due to its game Max Mustard failing to gain traction on the Quest Store.
• Users and developers alike have expressed mounting frustration over poor search results on the Horizon Store.
• Schell Games is revamping Among Us VR as Among Us 3D, planning cross-platform multiplayer to draw a broader audience.
• On a brighter note, 3R Games celebrated Thief Simulator VR’s impressive sales on Quest, proving there’s still room for indie triumphs.

Discover more here: [Learn more]

Save the Date! Meta Connect 2025

Meta Connect 2025 is set for September 17-18. While detailed agendas haven’t been shared, speculation suggests no new Quest 4 announcement but possible reveals of new smart glasses and updates on third-party Horizon headsets. Stay tuned for more!

For further insights: [Catch up here]

Quick Bits You Might Have Missed

Palmer Luckey’s Military Headset

Palmer Luckey recently shared insights about a military-centric headset, reportedly far superior to current options like IVAS. Supposedly built from scratch for military use, this device integrates with Anduril’s Lattice to enhance situational awareness with impressive specs across various metrics.

Curiosity piqued? [Read more]

More on Meta’s Terminology Shift

Meta is now using "MR" as an umbrella term for both MR and VR, sparking confusion. This new classification perhaps mirrors Meta’s effort to align with Apple’s vision-focused branding. Yet, it risks sidelining VR content, causing concern among VR developers about their place in Meta’s strategy.

More clarifications here: [Explore this]

Meta Quest v74 Runtime Enhancements

The latest Quest runtime introduces several notable features, including enhanced casting capabilities and a new DisplayPort output mode for external monitors—great for demos. Additional improvements make multitasking easier and enhance overall casting experiences.

Intrigued by these updates? [Get the scoop]

Upcoming Events and Content Highlights

• The VR Games Showcase is set for March 11, offering glimpses of exciting games like Hitman: World of Assassination and new releases from Flat2VR Studios.
• Humble Bundle offers a new “All-In-One VR Game Dev Bundle” tailored for developers, featuring resources across Unity, Unreal, and Godot engines.

And here’s a roundup of intriguing content on the horizon:

• Detective VR invites you to be a time-bending detective with clues in Passthrough mode.
• Silent North, a multiplayer VR shooter set amidst zombie chaos, arrives in March.
• Orion Drift by Gorilla Tag’s studio enters Early Access.
• A new Neon Genesis Evangelion XR game is in the works for 2026.

Reviews

Here are some fresh reviews on VR content:

• One True Path — Part 1: A captivating VR narrative by the creators of A Fisherman’s Tale.
• Realize Music: Sing: Karaoke fun, albeit marred by bugs.
• Ashen Arrow: Combines VR shooting with roguelite flair.
• Selina: Mind At Large: A buggy but immersive narrative adventure.

Additional Insights

• See how VR games shine with an RTX 5090 graphics card.
• Discover new hand tracking comparisons alongside VisionOS updates.

Supporting Good Causes

This week, instead of asking for contributions to the blog, I urge you to support those affected by the war in Ukraine through donations to the Red Cross. A heartfelt thanks to my kind Patreon supporters for backing my work.

Support Here: Red Cross in Ukraine

(Header image by Niantic)

I hope this revised version brings a more engaging and fluid reading experience while staying true to the original content!