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After feeling under the weather recently, I’m happy to report that I’m back on track, and this newsletter is arriving right on time. It’s been a pretty decent week, work-wise I broke some intriguing news about camera access on Android XR (more on that later), and personally, I enjoyed whipping up some delicious Italian pasta for friends here in China (with a little help from ingredients I brought from home). Let’s cross our fingers for another great week, not just for me, but for all of you too!
Top News of the Week
The Meta Quest ecosystem finds itself in a tricky spot. Henry Stockdale from Upload VR has penned a solid piece outlining the turbulence at the Horizon Store. With the main store merging with App Lab and the tweaks in the Meta Horizon OS and mobile app, many developers have found it challenging to get their games noticed. Without visibility, revenue takes a hit, with some studios reporting drops between 50-80% compared to earlier in 2023. Developers have been vocal about this for weeks; I even touched on this topic myself a couple of months back. What we sorely need is a swift update from Meta that emphasizes quality titles rather than the overwhelming Gorilla Tag clones, and those persistent Horizon Worlds creations. Meta, instead, responded with a blog post celebrating a stellar year for Quest 3 and Quest 3S, which is reflected in the positive Steam data. With two-thirds of this year’s headset sales coming from new users, especially kids, it’s clear they’re attracted to the free-to-play model. Cheaper imitations of paid games are doing well on Horizon Worlds because they don’t cost these young users anything. Essentially, Meta seems to be saying, "We’re seeing a wave of young users looking for cost-free entertainment, so we’ll cater to that." That leaves those developers of premium, top-notch games a bit stranded. Reading Meta’s blog post was somewhat frustrating. While they correctly highlight that more young people are excited about XR—great news, as it hints at future growth—it’s crucial to balance that with diverse content. Revenue losses for developers started around mid-2024, aligned with the store updates, not the influx of young users. The issue isn’t the kids; it’s the store’s new dynamics. With recent layoffs hitting VR studios like SideQuest and nDreams, I’m left wondering about Meta’s next move. If they continue to sit idle, developers might pivot to other ventures, maybe even traditional screen content. And with competitors like Android XR on the horizon, a shift seems likely. Should Meta position their headsets solely for Horizon Worlds, they risk abandoning the diverse Quest ecosystem they’ve nurtured over the years. Meanwhile, the community seems to be siding with the developers. Reddit discussions are circulating about buying more premium games and even uninstalling Horizon Worlds to clear out the clutter. To add to the upheaval, Mark Rabkin, Meta’s VP of XR, has exited for family reasons. Such management reshuffles won’t expedite solutions to this pressing concern.
For more insights, check out Henry Stockdale’s article on Upload VR. There’s also my own piece on this topic, plus discussions on Meta’s new reality for the Quest Store on Road To VR and Upload VR. Some Redditors have even humorously translated Meta’s blog post. And of course, keep an eye on how the Quest 3 and Quest 3S are gaining ground on Steam.
Other Relevant News
Andrew Bosworth’s internal memo at Meta created quite the buzz. The motivational tone was felt throughout, urging employees to push forward and make XR a success. Boz’s claim that 2025 is the pivotal "make or break" year for XR feels more like rallying the troops rather than a hard fact. Understandably, XR is still evolving, and we won’t see earth-shattering changes this year. True, Android XR headsets might make a splash, but Samsung’s offerings are priced too steeply to truly rival Meta. Meta’s monetary commitment to XR, potentially hitting $100B by year’s end, suggests a long-term vision beyond this year. Boz’s comment about XR efforts potentially being seen as visionary or a "legendary misadventure" has sparked debates, with some suspecting groundwork for reduced VR spending. Many speculate Meta’s pivot could veer towards smart glasses instead. Personally, I’m not so sure. No rational company would swap a developing market like VR for an unproven one. Boz also hinted at launching "half a dozen wearables," probably pointing to smartglasses, smartwatches, and neural smartbands. John Carmack appreciated the memo but critiqued the singular focus on MR over VR and the fixation on Horizon Worlds for mobile.
For more on Meta’s massive projected XR spending, check out the leaked memo and insights on potential new wearables on Upload VR. Carmack’s thoughts post-memo also provide some interesting perspectives.
Apple continues efforts to harmonize PSVR 2 controllers with Apple Vision Pro, indicating strong possibilities for enhanced gaming experiences on Apple’s platform. Though still in the works, this development could align nicely with the VisionOS 3 reveal at WWDC in June.
Also, Google recently confirmed to me that Android XR will allow developers to access cameras similarly to smartphones, with necessary user permissions. This approach promises exciting opportunities for true mixed reality experiences.
News Worth a Mention
Amid the barrage of bleak XR updates, here’s a bright spot: Quest Game Optimizer has hit 100,000 users. This app, which optimizes settings for performance on the Quest, has achieved this milestone without being on the official store. Kudos to its creator!
John Carmack recently mentioned that Beat Saber was a landmark title for XR, even more so than Half-Life: Alyx in terms of adoption. While both titles significantly contributed to XR, Beat Saber’s standalone success undoubtedly captured a wider audience.
In a marketing push, check out Meta’s Ray-Ban ads for the Super Bowl. Featuring stars like Chris Hemsworth, they aim to boost smart glasses’ profile, though they’re not without their critiques.
Spatial.io’s latest pivot lands them in the gaming area with Animal Company, a game echoing Gorilla Tag. It’s great to see the company finding its niche after several business shifts.
Among the updates, Civilization VII is set to make its VR debut on Meta Quest. An exciting prospect for fans of the franchise, though it’s uncertain if this aligns with the Quest market’s tastes.
For more content-related updates, Dive into the exciting events surrounding Synth Riders, Frenzies, Gorilla Tag, and more on platforms like Quest. Get the insider scoop on upcoming titles like Harpagun and Project Aeroes, and check out the ongoing developments in the XR space with Upload VR’s News Round-Up.
Some Review About Content
COLD VR offers an intriguing new angle on SUPERHOT, despite some levels requiring a bit more finesse.
Other News
Steam now flags early access games lacking updates for over a year, pushing devs towards greater transparency.
Elsewhere, Stereopsia and AWE Europe are consolidating into UnitedXR, a Brussels-based event.
Meta’s working on a "Desk Mode" for Meta AI on Quest. Whether it will see light remains to be seen.
News from Partners (and Friends)
Support for XR developers is crucial. As the technology battles current challenges, don’t hesitate to help by buying games/apps, writing reviews, sharing with friends, and promoting them on social media—every bit counts!
Some XR Fun
The humor flowing through the XR community is undeniable. With posts and comments offering bursts of laughter, why not dive in for some lighthearted laughs?
Donate for Good
This week, rather than soliciting support for my blog, I urge you to contribute to the Red Cross for their aid efforts in Ukraine. Any donation is invaluable. A heartfelt thank you to my dedicated Patreon supporters—you make all the difference:
Thank you, Alex Gonzalez VR, DeoVR, GenVR, and the rest of our generous patrons. For those keen to donate, check out the Red Cross link below.
Remember, spreading the word about XR and supporting its growth is as crucial as ever. Thanks for sticking with us, and see you next time!
