I’m feeling much better these days, so this newsletter is right on schedule again (yay!). The end of this week was great for me. On the professional front, I was able to share some big news about camera access on Android XR (we’ll dive into that later). Personally, I also succeeded in whipping up some delicious Italian pasta for friends here in China, thanks to the ingredients I brought from home. I’m hopeful that next week will be fantastic too, not just for me, but for all of you!
This Week’s Top Stories
The Meta Quest Ecosystem Faces Challenges
Henry Stockdale over at Upload VR penned an insightful piece outlining the current predicament of the Horizon Store. Following the merger with App Lab and the revamped UI of Meta Horizon OS and its accompanying app, there’s been a shift in spotlight towards Horizon Worlds, making it a struggle for Quest developers to get their games noticed. With games going unseen, revenue takes a hit. Studios have reported revenue dips of 50–80% compared to 2023 levels. For weeks now, developers have been voicing their need for assistance on the platform. I previously touched on this in my blog with a personal angle. What’s crucial is for Meta to release a Horizon Store update that enhances discoverability for quality titles, rather than spotlighting mundane Gorilla Tag replicas, and cuts back on excessive promotion of Horizon Worlds content.
In a different direction, Meta responded with a blog post celebrating a successful year for Quest 3 and Quest 3S, as reflected in Steam data, and highlighted a shift in store demographics. It turns out two-thirds of headset buyers this year are newcomers, with many more kids using them. These younger users, often on tight budgets, lean towards free-to-play games, favoring simple, humorous experiences. Unsurprisingly, they opt for free knock-offs on Horizon Worlds as opposed to premium titles. Fundamentally, Meta’s position is clear: they’ll cater to this influx of youngsters who desire free content. Developers focusing on premium offerings? Well, you’re on your own.
Reading Meta’s post left me shocked. While they aren’t wrong about an evolving XR ecosystem with a growing young user base, it’s great to witness this youthful market expansion. These VR-native youngsters could spearhead tech growth. Nevertheless, it’s vital for different user types to coexist, and as the platform takes a 30% cut from every transaction, they should aim to benefit all content creators, including those developing high-quality, premium games. It’s been around since 2022 that we noticed an increase in young users, yet revenue declines markedly began mid-2024, coinciding with Meta’s store changes. So, it’s not the kids but the new store setup causing issues.
I wonder what Meta’s next move is, especially considering recent layoffs at VR studios like SideQuest and nDreams. If they remain inactive, we developers might pivot to other ventures such as flatscreen content since survival on the Horizon Store isn’t feasible. And with potential competitors like Android XR on the horizon, we might shift allegiance, feeling wronged. If Meta wants its systems to strictly feature Horizon Worlds’ cheap content, they’re risking years’ worth of Quest’s vibrant creative ecosystem.
Amidst this turmoil, the community chiefly backs the developers. Some Reddit users encourage others to purchase more premium games and suggest uninstalling Horizon Worlds to filter out its results in searches. Concurrently, Mark Rabkin, VP of XR at Meta, has exited due to family reasons. Management shake-ups at this time won’t expedite solutions to this pressing issue.
For more insights, check out Henry Stockdale’s article on Quest developers’ situations or my take on it. Further information on Meta’s perspective about Quest Stores’ changes and other developments, including Mark Rabkin’s departure and recent layoffs, is available on trusted platforms such as Upload VR and Road To VR. For community reactions, Reddit provides valuable discussions on these issues.
Relevant Happenings
2025: A Crucial Year for XR, Says Andrew Bosworth
One major buzz this week was Andrew Bosworth’s note to Meta staff sounding like a motivational guide urging diligence and enthusiasm for realizing XR’s potential. A few remarks deserve attention. Bosworth claims 2025 is a pivotal year for XR at Meta. While I beg to differ, as XR is merely budding with not much groundbreaking expected this year, the imminent Android XR headset launch is noteworthy, albeit Samsung’s entry being too pricey to give Meta a run for their money. With massive XR investments anticipated through the 2030s, buoyed by Zuckerberg’s projection of XR spending possibly hitting $100 billion this year, 2025 seems like a motivational tactic rather than something monumental.
Bosworth’s statement about 2025 likely deciding if this XR endeavor goes down as innovative or an infamous misadventure stirred fears of anticipated failure within some circles, suggesting it prepares grounds to justify scaling back on VR spending. There’s speculation Meta might pivot away from VR towards smart glasses, though I find that unlikely. No manager preps staff for failure, as it would prompt a talent exodus. Plus, even if Ray-Ban Metas performed decently, with 1 million units moved, they remain remote from claiming mainstream success. A pivot to a yet-to-be-proven new market is ill-advised.
Moreover, Bosworth mentioned Meta’s plan to unveil "about a half-dozen wearables," likely alluding to future smart glasses, watches, and neural bands. John Carmack, having read Bosworth’s memo, appreciated parts yet criticized Boz for solely mentioning MR instead of acknowledging both VR and MR, suggesting VR might be abandoned. He also disapproved of excessive emphasis on Horizon Worlds on mobile, perceiving it as a distraction from more critical pursuits.
For more details, check out Meta’s forecasted XR expenditures, discussions on Boz’s memo, speculation on the upcoming wearables, and John Carmack’s feedback via established resources like Upload VR.
Apple Still Integrating PSVR 2 Controllers
As reported by Marc Gurman, the integration of PSVR 2 controllers with Apple Vision Pro is still underway. These optional add-ons, dedicated to users who prefer controller-based gaming on Vision Pro, require a separate purchase. If validated, Sony will commence standalone controller sales. The update supporting PSVR 2 controllers might coincide with VisionOS 3’s announcement at WWDC in June.
Android XR Ensures Camera Accessibility
Google has affirmed that Android XR OS will allow camera access akin to smartphones. Developers can access both primary and auxiliary headset cameras upon obtaining user consent through a popup prompt. The headset’s main camera, akin to a smartphone’s rear camera, records everything in the user’s vicinity, while the selfie equivalent will capture the user’s avatar face, reconstructed using headset sensors. This enables seamless functionality for existing mobile apps, whether capturing what users see or their (virtual) facial features. This is a welcome development, allowing developers to create authentic mixed reality experiences with user control akin to phone settings.
News Briefs
Quest Game Optimizer Hits a Milestone
Amid the slew of not-so-great XR news, here’s a positive one: Quest Game Optimizer, an app that tweaks Quest settings for optimum performance across applications, has amassed 100,000 users—quite an achievement for an app that requires sideloading. Kudos to its developer!
John Carmack on Beat Saber vs. Half-Life: Alyx
Recently, John Carmack remarked on social media that "standalone VR was VR’s greatest victory by far, and Beat Saber was more pivotal than Half-Life Alyx." In adoption terms, he’s likely right. Yet both games played crucial roles: Alyx appealed to hardcore gamers, showcasing VR’s immersive potential.
Ray-Ban Meta Super Bowl Ads Unveiled
Meta rolled out two Super Bowl ads featuring A-list actors to market Ray-Ban Meta glasses. Watching Chris Hemsworth’s ad, it felt decent, though not outstanding—the tempo was off, and the humor was just so-so. Regardless, I hope it boosts awareness regarding smart glasses.
Spatial.io Ventures into Gaming
After several pivots, Spatial.io is finding success with a new game, Animal Company, drawing heavy inspiration from Gorilla Tag. It’s great to see them finding success after so many strategic shifts.
Civilization VII: A VR Adventure
Sid Meier’s Civilization VII is making its way to Meta Quest, apart from its regular flat-screen platforms, offering both VR and MR experiences. Although it might not be what the current Quest audience seeks, it certainly brings a nostalgic smile to someone like me, who spent countless hours on Civilization II.
In Other Content News
- Synth Riders announced a Kendrick Lamar Experience on Apple Vision Pro for Super Bowl LIX celebrations.
- Frenzies began a new Super Bowl-themed event on Quest.
- Gorilla Tag marked its fourth year with a birthday bash. Happy Birthday, GT!
- Harpagun, a new arcade shooter, enters early access on Quest on February 13.
- Project Aeroes, a mixed reality game, guides players through spaceship missions on Quest, free from launch till March 5 for a limited trial period.
- Boxed Out, a color-matching VR puzzle game, launches on Quest this March 24.
- DIVR Labs’ VR rail shooter Aim Assault demos on PC VR on February 13.
- A duo develops Duet, a co-op game focusing on silent communication and collaborative interaction.
- Upload VR has its usual round-up of XR news covering various small updates.
For game details and content developments, the respective platforms or official announcements are rich resources.
Review
COLD VR takes a unique stab at SUPERHOT but could use some polish, as certain levels seem unnecessarily challenging.
Additional Tidbits
- Steam now alerts users if early access games remain unchanged for over a year.
- Stereopsia and AWE Europe have combined to form UnitedXR, stationed in Brussels.
- Meta is internally experimenting with “Desk Mode” for Meta AI, aiming to engage users even in standby, albeit unclear on release plans.
Partner News and Support Appeals
Supporting XR developers is paramount in these trying times. Whether it’s buying a game, leaving a positive review, or sharing it with friends, every bit helps and is greatly appreciated!
Fun Bits
- The humorous thread on the UEVR universal mod.
- Amusing commentaries in various posts.
- A laugh on what men truly desire…
Contributing to a Cause
In closing, instead of donations for the blog, I urge you to consider contributing to the Red Cross for humanitarian efforts in Ukraine. Your generosity can bring relief to those undergoing hardship. Below is the link to donate:
Support The Red Cross in Ukraine
Despite the maelstrom of news, shout outs to all my Patreon supporters who keep this venture alive with their backing.
(Header image by Meta)
Disclaimer: This blog may include advertisements and affiliate links. Clicking on these links might result in small commissions, aiding in sustaining the blog. For further details, please refer to the full disclosure.
Stay informed, share innovations, and continue being a vibrant part of the XR world!
