XR Weekly Roundup (March 18, 2025): Niantic Sells Pokémon Go, Meta Launches Passthrough APIs, and More!

What a whirlwind of a week it’s been! I found myself knee-deep in projects, but in the best way possible. Amid my busy schedule, Meta spiced things up by unleashing camera access for the Quest, and I couldn’t resist diving into that treasure trove! Now, let’s unpack this week’s most captivating XR news—believe me, there’s plenty to cover. And stick around till the end for an exciting giveaway!

Major Headlines of the Week

Niantic’s Strategic Shift

Big moves from Niantic as it has decided to part ways with its entire gaming division, including the legendary Pokémon Go, selling it to Scopely for a whopping $3.85 billion. Interestingly, this means that the control has now shifted to the hands of the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund, Scopely’s parent company. The bold decision indicates Niantic’s focus turning entirely towards advancing its geospatial technologies—embracing AI, AR, spatial intelligence, and geolocation. To steer this offshoot, they’ve launched Niantic Spatial with a solid $250 million in funding.

This transformation from Niantic holds high stakes. Sure, they’ve amassed a hefty sum, but they’ve let go of their golden goose—Pokémon Go—and other promising titles like Monster Hunt Now. Shifting focus to technology with unproven financial returns is indeed a leap of faith. I’m excitedly apprehensive; if Niantic is redirecting its sails, they must truly believe in AR’s near-future viability. However, sailing these new waters without a flagship game like Pokémon Go could be risky if AR doesn’t catch on as swiftly as hoped.

You have to give props to John Hanke for the audacity to pivot so drastically. Whether it pans out or not, it’s a daring gamble that commands respect.

Meta’s Camera Access Breakthrough

In a much-anticipated move, Meta has unveiled the Passthrough APIs, granting developers the ability to tap into camera frames on Quest devices. This new feature enhances mixed reality applications by allowing them to perceive and interact with users’ environments, blending AI and machine learning for more immersive experiences. Alongside the SDK and runtime updates for Quest and Quest 3S, Meta shared samples, and the dev community is already buzzing with activity.

I’ve penned a detailed guide on my blog for those eager to explore Passthrough Camera Access further—trust me, it’s worth the read. While the technology shows great promise for cross-platform applications, enabling camera access won’t yet see the light of the Horizon Store due to its experimental status. But knowing Meta, that’s just a temporary hold.

Engagement at the VR Games Showcase

Jamie Feltham helmed an engaging VR Games Showcase, bringing exciting game updates without any jaw-dropping revelations. Let’s spotlight a few gems:

• Stay: Forever Home invites players to explore VR adventures alongside a virtual, dog-like companion, dropping on Quest in April.
• A polished trailer for Hitman: World of Assassination has set high hopes as we await its PSVR 2 release on March 27th.
• Memoreum, a sci-fi survival horror, teases an intriguing trailer before its September Quest release.
• Slender: The Arrival VR is set to thrill PS VR2, PC VR, and Quest users this spring.
• Flat2VR Studios is expanding its offering with four new titles, leveraging their porting successes on previous flatscreen games.

Ultraleap’s Downturn

On a somber note, Ultraleap’s unexpected sale has struck a nerve. Once a trailblazer in haptics and hand tracking, it’s now disbanding its operations. As reported, its hand-tracking segment has been sold to Roli, with a slice of the team transitioning over, while its IP assets are absorbed by SIM IP. It’s disheartening to see such potential dissolve—a poignant reminder of the harsh realities in tech innovation.

Samsung’s Controller Plans for Project Moohan

Contrary to initial speculations, Samsung’s upcoming Project Moohan headset will indeed feature its own proprietary controllers. Spotted under the model ET-OI610, these controllers enhance the ease of content migration from devices like the Meta Quest. This decision underscores an exciting step toward broadening Samsung’s XR ecosystem efficiently.

Meta’s Horizon Worlds Quandary

An eye-opening report by New World Notes unveils internal challenges within Meta’s Horizon Worlds. Surprisingly, developers lack enthusiasm for the virtual world, often opting to simulate engagement instead of immersing themselves genuinely. The reliance on teams from social app backgrounds often results in interfaces better suited for traditional platforms rather than immersive environments. It’s baffling that Meta remains so invested in Horizon Worlds despite these hurdles, rather than pivoting focus to uplift its broader Quest ecosystem.

Acquisitions and Innovations

Google is rumored to be in talks to acquire AdHawk Microsystems, emphasizing its vested interest in advancing XR technologies, while Valve’s new SteamVR Link Dongle hints at significant enhancements for wireless VR experiences. In broader tech news, Meta has rolled out support for micro gestures, a step toward more nuanced interactions with MR environments.

Challenges for Visor and XR Gaming Community

Immersed’s Visor continues to face production delays amidst financial and communicative uncertainties, casting doubts on the headset’s future. Additionally, veteran XR companies are withdrawing from the VR space, citing economic difficulties and reduced investments—a trend echoing uncertainties within the industry.

Bizarre Scientific Futurism

Beyond the XR realm, groundbreaking (and bewildering) developments include a $35,000 biological computer integrating living neurons and silicon, as well as an experiment enabling inter-dream communication between individuals. The pace of innovation continues to astound and bemuse.

Special Mentions and Sales

Finally, for those in seek of immersive bargains, both Steam and the Horizon Store are hosting significant sales. Don’t miss the chance to snag Half-Life: Alyx at an incredible discount.

For a slice of XR fun, I’ve included some humorous links to lighten the week’s news, and if you weren’t fast enough to grab our Mythic Realms giveaway keys, don’t lose heart—supporting innovative developers is always a worthy investment.

As always, I urge you to join in aiding humanitarian efforts through the Red Cross amidst ongoing global challenges. Your contributions can make a real difference.

(Header courtesy of Niantic)