I’m feeling better these days, so this newsletter is coming to you on time (hooray!). The end of the week played out quite nicely for me: I’ve uncovered some significant updates about camera access on Android XR (I’ll dive into this a bit later), and on a personal note, I whipped up some delightful Italian pasta for friends here in China, using a few ingredients I brought from home. Here’s hoping the upcoming week is even more wonderful – both for you and for me!
Top News of the Week
The Meta Quest Ecosystem is in a Delicate Phase
Henry Stockdale over at Upload VR penned a detailed piece on the current state of the Horizon Store. Since integrating the main store with App Lab and revamping the Meta Horizon OS UI and mobile app, developers find it increasingly challenging to get their games noticed. Without visibility, revenue simply doesn’t flow. Several studios report losses ranging from 50-80% compared to their 2023 earnings. This has sparked much developer discontent, and I wrote a similar piece on my blog not too long ago. What we need from Meta is an urgent update to the Horizon Store to enhance discoverability for quality games rather than the lesser offerings of Gorilla Tag imitators, or the constant promotion of Horizon Worlds. Meta’s recent response was instead a blog post boasting about the success of Quest 3 and Quest 3S and noting a shift in store demographics. Two-thirds of headsets sold recently are bought by new users, many of whom are young with limited spending power, hence the popularity of free-to-play, accessible games. Meta seems to cater to this new influx of young users, leaving developers of premium games out in the cold. While it’s positive that more young people are engaging with XR, Meta needs to ensure the coexistence of different content types on their platform. Despite changes in the XR user base since 2022, the dramatic revenue decline only began mid-2024, indicating the real issue is the store’s current state, not user demographics. If changes aren’t made soon, developers might start shifting to alternatives like Android XR. The recent layoffs in VR studios like SideQuest and nDreams are a sign of the ecosystem’s distress. Meta might decide to keep Horizon Worlds central, but it risks losing the vibrant Quest developer community it has built over six years. Community sentiment largely supports developers, with Reddit users encouraging purchases of premium content and others suggesting uninstallation of Horizon Worlds. Amidst this turmoil, Mark Rabkin, VP of XR at Meta, has left due to family reasons, adding managerial shake-ups to an already concerning situation.
For more detailed insights, you can check articles from Upload VR, Meta’s Blog, and Reddit discussions.
Other Relevant News
Andrew Bosworth Calls 2025 the "Make it or Break it" Year for XR
One buzzing topic this week was the memo from Andrew Bosworth, aimed at rallying Meta employees around making XR happen. While Boz termed 2025 as a "make it or break it" year for XR, I believe we’re still in XR’s fledgling stage. True, new Android XR headsets are coming, but a pricey Samsung device can hardly rival Meta. Meta’s pouring billions into XR with plans extending into the 2030s, potentially spending up to $100B this year. So, the "make it or break it" narrative feels more like a motivational maneuver. Some suspect Boz’s mention of potential failure signals pre-emptive justification for future budget cuts in VR. However, while Meta’s smart glasses like Ray-Ban have done well, shifting focus entirely would be unwise. Boz also mentioned launching "half a dozen wearables," possibly including new smartglasses, watches, and neural smartbands. Tech legend John Carmack appreciated some aspects of Boz’s memo but critiqued its emphasis on MR over VR and the excessive focus on Horizon Worlds for mobile.
For more comprehensive analysis, check out leaks and expert comments on Boz’s memo and potential XR spending at Upload VR.
Apple Working on PSVR 2 Controller Integration
The ever-reliable Marc Gurman reports that Apple is still working to integrate PSVR 2 controllers with Apple Vision Pro. These controllers, sold separately, would cater to gaming enthusiasts who want a tactile experience on Apple Vision Pro. The full integration may launch alongside VisionOS 3 at WWDC in June.
Find more insights here Source.
Android XR to Offer Camera Access
Google’s confirmed to me that Android XR OS will provide camera access similar to smartphones. Developers can access both headsets’ front and back cameras, with user permission via a popup. This approach mirrors Google’s stance on smartphone privacy, ensuring user control over permissions — a promising step towards building genuine mixed reality experiences.
Check out more information here.
News Worth a Mention
Quest Game Optimizer Hits 100K Users
Amidst reporting on some tough XR news, here’s a bright spot! Quest Game Optimizer, which optimizes Quest performance, has now reached 100,000 users. Achieving such a milestone for a sideload-only app deserves a hearty congratulations to its creator.
For further reading, click here.
John Carmack on Beat Saber’s Impact
John Carmack recently stated on X that “standalone VR was the biggest win that VR ever had, by a huge margin, and Beat Saber was far more important than Half-Life Alyx.” This makes sense regarding adoption – Beat Saber indeed caught mainstream eyes, while Alyx showcased VR’s immersive potential.
Read more about Carmack’s views here.
New Ray-Ban Meta Ads for the SuperBowl
Two ads debuted featuring Hollywood stars promoting Ray-Ban Meta glasses during the Super Bowl. While one, starring Chris Hemsworth, amused but didn’t wow me, I hope they draw attention to the future of smart glasses.
Click here for more details.
Spatial.io Ventures Into Gaming
Spatial.io, known for multiple pivots, is now succeeding with a new game, Animal Company, inspired by Gorilla Tag. It’s good to see their persistence paying off amid all these changes.
Learn more about Spatial.io’s journey here.
Civilization VII to Launch on VR
Sid Meier’s Civilization VII is expanding its platform reach to include Meta Quest, offering both MR and VR modes. While it might not be the perfect Quest market fit, as a fan who spent many an hour on Civilization II, this news made me nostalgic.
Explore more details here.
Content Updates
Here’s a snippet of exciting XR content news:
- Synth Riders celebrates Super Bowl LIX with a Kendrick Lamar Experience on Apple Vision Pro.
- FRENZIES picks up a Super Bowl theme on Quest.
- Gorilla Tag rings in its fourth anniversary.
- Harpagun, a VR shooter-smasher game, is launching on Quest.
- Project Aeroes, a mixed reality spaceship guide game, is out on Quest.
- Boxed Out, a VR puzzle game, heads to Quest.
- Aim Assault, a VR rail shooter, is debuting a demo.
- Duet, a co-op XR game in development, is intriguing audiences.
- Upload VR published its XR News Round-Up covering minor news bits.
Details about each can be found here.
Content Review
COLD VR, comparable to SUPERHOT, stands out but requires some polishing for a seamless experience.
Check out reviews here.
Other News
Steam now alerts players about early access games with updates overdue for over a year.
Read more about this change here.
The event landscape is shifting with Stereopsia and AWE Europe merging to form UnitedXR, based out of Brussels.
Discover more here.
Meta’s internally working on a "Desk Mode" for Meta AI on Quest, but its release remains uncertain.
Learn more here.
Partner & Friend Updates
Support XR Developers!
As illustrated throughout this newsletter, XR developers are navigating tough times. Your support is vital. Consider buying games/applications, leaving positive reviews, sharing games with friends, or promoting them on social media. Your efforts to uplift our community and industry are immensely valued.
XR Fun and Humor
Here are some fun XR-related posts that might tickle your funny bone:
- The real reason behind the UEVR universal mod.
- Hilarious comments on a recent post.
- Deciding whether to splurge on a new headset.
- What men want.
A Call to Donate
As we wrap up, I’d like to steer your generosity towards those affected by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Your support to humanitarian efforts through organizations like the Red Cross is crucial.
I also extend heartfelt thanks to my Patreon donors who keep this project alive, and flouring.
Support The Red Cross in Ukraine
(Header image by Meta)
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