These days, I’m feeling much better, which means this newsletter is right on schedule (hooray!). It’s been a good end of the week for me. On the work front, I broke the news about camera access on Android XR (more on this later). Personally, I also managed to whip up some delicious Italian pasta for friends in China using ingredients I brought from home. Here’s hoping for another great week ahead, not just for me, but for all of you as well!
Top News of the Week
Image by Meta
The Meta Quest ecosystem is in a delicate phase
Henry Stockdale from Upload VR published an insightful piece highlighting the current state of the Horizon Store. After integrating the main store with App Lab and revamping the Meta Horizon OS UI and mobile app to push Horizon Worlds forward, Quest developers are finding it tough to have their games discovered. And if players can’t find your game, revenue doesn’t come in. Some studios have reported losing as much as 50-80% compared to their earnings in 2023. Developers have been calling for action for weeks, and I, too, penned a similar piece on my blog a few months back. What’s needed is an updated Horizon Store that boosts visibility for quality titles instead of the deluge of Gorilla Tag clones while resisting the urge to solely spotlight Horizon Worlds.
Meta’s response was a blog post boasting about a stellar year for Quest 3 and Quest 3S—a fact reflected on Steam data—while noting shifting store demographics. Two-thirds of headsets sold this year were to first-time users, notably younger audiences who favor free, simple games. They’re also content with free knock-offs of paid games on Horizon Worlds. So, Meta’s position seems to be: catering to a new, younger audience looking for freebies. If you’re into premium content, wish you luck!
I found Meta’s blog post shocking. Sure, they’re right about XR’s changing landscape and the influx of young users, which is positive in terms of growing a new VR-native generation. However, the platform should accommodate all users and bring benefits to everyone, especially since Meta claims 30% of all transactions. The problem began when Meta overhauled its store around mid-2024—not because of the younger audience’s arrival in 2022. It’s clear the store is problematic.
It’s still uncertain how Meta plans to address the issue, especially with recent layoffs at VR studios like SideQuest and nDreams. Should Meta remain inactive, developers, myself included, might shift our focus to creating flatscreen content simply to stay afloat. If competitors emerge, such as Android XR, developers may flock there out of feeling betrayed. If Meta intends to focus solely on Horizon Worlds and low-grade content, it risks losing the vibrant ecosystem it built over six years.
Meanwhile, the community largely stands with developers, with Redditors urging others to purchase more premium games and suggesting uninstalling Horizon Worlds to clear unwanted worlds from search results. Amidst this turmoil, Mark Rabkin, Meta’s VP of XR, has left the company for family reasons. This managerial shift seems unlikely to provide a swift resolution to this pressing issue.
For more information, check out these articles:
- Upload VR’s article about the Quest developers’ situation
- My article on the same topic
- Meta talks about the new reality of the Quest Store — Road To VR
- Meta talks about the new reality of the Quest Store — Upload VR
- A Redditor translated Meta’s blog post in a funny way
- Quest 3 and Quest 3S gaining shares on Steam
- Mark Rabkin is leaving Meta
- nDreams announces layoffs
- SideQuest announces layoffs
- Redditors inviting other people to buy premium content
- A Redditor suggesting to uninstall Horizon Worlds
Other Relevant News
Image by Meta
Andrew Bosworth states 2025 is the “make it or break it” year for XR
This week, one of the most commented-on news pieces was Andrew Bosworth’s memo to Meta employees, essentially a motivational pep talk. A few points warrant discussion. Boz declared 2025 as XR’s "make it or break it" year at Meta, which I find misleading. XR technology is still in its infancy; this year won’t be revolutionary. The launch of Android XR headsets is anticipated, but the high price of Samsung’s device means it’s not yet a strong competitor for Meta. Meta is planning to invest billions in XR through the 2030s, with total spending potentially hitting $100B this year, according to Zuck. So, this feels more like a motivational tactic than a critical deadline.
Boz’s statement that the year might determine whether XR is visionary work or a "legendary misadventure" led some to believe he pre-emptively expects failure, using this to justify potential budget cuts. People speculate that Meta may abandon VR for smart glasses. I disagree: such talk would drive employees away. Moreover, while the Ray-Ban Meta glasses sold a million, that’s insufficient to call it mainstream. Pivoting exclusively to an untested market is foolish.
The memo also mentioned launching “half a dozen wearables,” likely referring to smartglasses, smartwatches, and neural smartbands. John Carmack read the memo, supporting it but critiquing the emphasis on "MR" without mentioning VR, suggesting unwelcome sidelining of the latter. He also disapproved of prioritizing Horizon Worlds for mobile, seeing it as an obsession distracting Meta from bigger goals.
For more on this, explore:
- Meta expected to spend $100B in XR
- Boz’s leaked memo
- Upload VR speculates which can be the “half a dozen” wearables
- John Carmack commented on the memo
Apple still working on integrating PSVR 2 controllers
Marc Gurman reports Apple is still focused on making PSVR 2 controllers compatible with Apple Vision Pro. The controllers would be separate and optional, particularly for games needing controllers on Vision Pro. While Sony doesn’t sell the controllers separately yet, a confirmed partnership could change that. It’s unclear when the support update will launch, but VisionOS 3’s announcement during June’s WWDC is likely.
Android XR to guarantee camera access
Google has confirmed to me that the Android XR system will provide camera access akin to smartphones. Developers can use the front and rear headset cameras by securing user permissions through a confirmation popup. The front-facing camera will mimic a phone’s rear camera, while the avatar’s reconstructed face from the headset’s sensors serves as a selfie camera equivalent. This setup allows existing mobile apps to function similarly, accessing either the user’s view or their (reconstructed) face. I find this news fantastic; camera access enables developers to create true mixed reality experiences. Google’s approach on phones, ensuring user permission remains pivotal, is commendable.
News Worth a Mention
Image by Quest Games Optimizer
Quest Game Optimizer reaches 100K users
Amidst the ongoing negative XR news cycle, here’s a positive update. Quest Game Optimizer, the app enhancing Quest’s performance, reached 100,000 users. Impressive, given it’s sideloaded and not available on the store! Congrats to its creator.
John Carmack stated that for XR Beat Saber was more important than Half-Life: Alyx
John Carmack remarked on X that “standalone VR was the biggest win for VR ever, by a huge margin, and Beat Saber was far more important than Half-Life Alyx.” I agree regarding adoption; however, both games were significant for different reasons. Alyx was crucial for VR visibility among hardcore gamers and demonstrated VR’s immersive potential.
Ray-Ban Meta ads for the Super Bowl are out
Meta has released two ads featuring notable Hollywood actors to market Ray-Ban Meta glasses during the Super Bowl. I watched Chris Hemsworth’s ad—charming but not amazing. The pacing falters and the humor is lukewarm, yet I hope it boosts smartglass awareness.
Spatial.io is now making a game
Spatial.io has pivoted multiple times recently. Initially, an enterprise meeting platform, then an NFT showcase, it’s finding success with a game called Animal Company, heavily inspired by Gorilla Tag. Delighted to see their persistence pay off!
Civilization VII is coming to VR
Sid Meier’s Civilization VII is set to arrive on Meta Quest, alongside traditional platforms, available in both MR and VR. This may not align with the current Quest audience’s desires, but as a millennial who spent hours on Civilization II, it sparks joy.
For more on this:
Some news about content
- Synth Riders is celebrating Super Bowl LIX with a Kendrick Lamar Experience on Apple Vision Pro
- FRENZIES kicked off a new Super Bowl-themed event on Quest
- Gorilla Tag celebrated its fourth anniversary with a new Birthday Bash event. Happy Birthday, GT!
- Harpagun, a new VR arcade game, launches in early access on February 13 on Quest
- Project Aeroes, priced $9.99 but free until March 5 on Quest, lets you guide spaceships in mixed reality
- Boxed Out, a VR puzzle game, heads to Quest on March 24
- DIVR Labs’ Aim Assault preview arrives February 13 for PC VR
- An indie team’s developing Duet, a co-op game where you silently meet a stranger, opening communication gradually
- Upload VR published its usual XR News Round-Up column with more XR updates
Find more info:
- Synth Riders
- Frenzies
- Gorilla Tag
- Harpagun
- Project Aeroes
- Boxed Out
- Aim Assault
- Duet
- XR News Round-Up
Some review about content
COLD VR is an interesting take over SUPERHOT, but some levels are frustrating and would require polish.
Other News
- Steam alerts players when early access games lack updates for over a year
- Learn more
- Stereopsia and AWE Europe merge into UnitedXR, a new event in Brussels
- Learn more
- Meta is working internally on “Desk Mode” for Meta AI on Quest for standby interactions—no release date yet
- Learn more
News from Partners and Friends
Support XR developers!
You’ve read about the challenges XR developers face in today’s tech landscape. Support us by buying games/apps, leaving positive reviews, sharing with friends, or posting on social media—it’s all greatly appreciated!
Some XR Fun
- The real reason people use the UEVR universal mod [Funny link]
- The comments on this post are hilarious… [Funny link]
- Got money for a new headset? [Funny link]
- Men want only one thing [Funny link]
Donate for Good
Like last week, I encourage you to donate to those impacted by war—not my blog. Please consider contributing to the Red Cross’s humanitarian efforts in Ukraine. I’ll leave the link below.
Thanks to all my Patreon supporters for their continued backing:
[Patreon supporters listed]
Here’s the link to donate:
Support The Red Cross in Ukraine
(Header image by Meta)
