Another week brings us fresh updates from the world of XR, and it’s time to delve into the buzz around extended reality news. Let’s explore what’s making waves this time.
Headline News of the Week
Niantic Considers Selling Its Gaming Branch
Kicking things off, we have breaking news from Bloomberg suggesting that Niantic, the brain behind Pokémon Go, might sell its gaming division to Scopely, a Saudi Arabia-owned company, for a whopping $3.5 billion. Imagine that—potentially waving goodbye to Pokémon Go! This revelation shocked me; despite its declining trend, Pokémon Go continues to pull in remarkable revenue, thanks to its dedicated fanbase. However, Niantic has been less successful replicating that with other ventures—remember the doomed Harry Potter AR game? If Niantic goes ahead with this sale, it’s like they’re parting with their most dazzling gem—the major lifeline sustaining not just their operations, but also their AR research, especially its VR positioning and world-meshing capabilities. Analysts speculate that Niantic is keen to pivot more towards creating the "outdoor metaverse," becoming leaders in AR services, and powering future AR headsets. With $3.5 billion and fewer obligations in gaming, they could indeed fast-track developments in AR. It’s a high-stakes move, risking the solid income Pokémon Go provides. Despite my reservations as an entrepreneur about this daring leap, the XR enthusiast in me can’t help but be intrigued by Niantic’s long-term AR vision. Their confidence in pursuing this now suggests they foresee a significant AR advancement in the next few years.
Other Noteworthy News
Meta’s $50M Initiative for Horizon Worlds
Meta has announced it is injecting $50 million into its Horizon Worlds platform, aiming to reward and incentivize creators who contribute significantly to the metaverse ecosystem. Bonuses will be given for engaging creations, factoring in user engagement and in-app purchases. Moreover, Meta is organizing a world-building contest starting March 11, with prizes reaching $100,000. Part of Meta’s upgrade includes enhancing its development tools through the new Meta Horizon Worlds desktop editor, mimicking game engines like Unity, allowing for more professional world development using Typescript. While rewarding creators is positive, the timing isn’t without controversy. Many XR developers feel sidelined as Horizon Worlds dominates visibility on the Horizon Store, negatively impacting other startups. Android Central even argued that Horizon Worlds might harm the broader Quest ecosystem. And amidst criticisms, Meta further promotion for Horizon Worlds with this fund seems out of touch. Additionally, the fund’s distribution structure—celebrating success instead of backing promising projects—misses an opportunity to support professional studios since many can’t afford to create without guaranteed payment. This risks resulting in an ecosystem reminiscent of Roblox: many contributors but with few gaining substantial success. It’s crucial for Meta to entice users by improving the product itself instead of merely dangling money—a sustainable and thriving ecosystem depends on this.
The Ongoing XR Challenge
The XR industry remains in a rough patch, plagued by layoffs and frustrations. This week, more companies struggle while expressing concerns about Meta Horizon Store’s shortcomings, from missing out on user attention to the prevalence of subpar offerings. Yet, stories of success do peek through the clouds.
- Embracer Group revealed that Metro Awakening didn’t meet financial expectations despite favorable reviews.
- Toast Interactive, noted for Richie’s Plank Experience and Max Mustard, faced layoffs and office closure due to disappointing sales primarily blamed on store discoverability issues.
- Screenshots from Reddit document ongoing dissatisfaction with Horizon Store searches delivering poor-quality options.
- Schell Games plans to expand Among Us VR into Among Us 3D to support both VR and flatscreen multiplayer, aiming for increased user reach.
- Meanwhile, 3R Games’ Thief Simulator VR boasts impressive sales success, having sold over 310,000 units on Quest alone, highlighting remaining opportunities in the sector.
Meta Unveils Dates for Connect 2025
Meta Connect is set for September 17-18 this year. While a Quest 4 reveal isn’t anticipated, expect news on smart glasses collaborations, including one from Oakley for athletes, and updates on Horizon headsets by Lenovo and ASUS—exciting for wearable tech enthusiasts.
Quick Bites
Palmer Luckey and His New Military AR Headset
Palmer Luckey, known for his groundbreaking Oculus work, shared insights into a military-targeted headset during an interview with Shawn Ryan. Unlike existing modified devices, this new creation is built from scratch for the military sector, offering comprehensive situational awareness and advanced AR/VR/MR capabilities. His enthusiasm is palpable as he claims it to be a monumental leap over current technologies.
Meta’s Semantic Shift: "MR" Now Covers VR
Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth announced that “MR” now collectively represents both MR and VR in their lexicon, even in contexts where VR traditionally stood separately. This aligns with how competitors like Apple frame spatial computing, perhaps an attempt by Meta to convey competitive parity with Apple’s Vision Pro.
Exciting Updates From Meta Quest v74 Runtime
The latest updates for Quest bring unexpected yet nifty support for connecting external monitors via USB-C—ideal for showcasing demos with mirrored displays. Other improvements include integrated support for 2D windows during VR play, automatic travel mode, and more accessible multi-room configurations.
Another big event, the VR Games Showcase, returns on March 11, teasing news on titles like PSVR 2’s Hitman: World of Assassination and more from Flat2VR Studios. Also, developers are in for a treat with Humble Bundle’s new "All-In-One VR Game Dev Bundle," packed with essential resources for game creation across Unity, Unreal, and Godot engines.
Upcoming Content and Reviews
February and March will feature a diverse array of XR content, including Detective VR, a narrative tale crafted for mixed reality; the action-packed multiplayer VR shooter Silent North; and more unique experiences like Chronostrike, Monster Snap, and upcoming releases like Pinball FX VR. Plus, insightful reviews are out for newly launched titles, highlighting both potential and pitfalls within the XR entertainment sphere.
Other Highlights
- An intriguing article discusses the appeal of VR games using RTX 5090 graphics for stunning visuals.
- Microsoft’s potential breakthrough in quantum computing stirs excitement.
- A fun overview charts VR headset evolution across the years.
Supporting Great Causes
Lastly, instead of seeking support for this blog, I urge donations towards assisting those affected by the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. The Red Cross is tirelessly working to aid those in need, and any contribution can make a significant difference.
Wrapping Up
These updates showcase a diverse range of movements within the XR landscape: bold business maneuvers, innovative technology, strategic shifts, and evolving content experiences. With companies like Niantic and Meta making remarkable moves, and stories of both struggle and triumph surfacing, the future of XR promises to remain a field brimming with potential and transformation.
