Lately, I’m feeling much better, which means I’m back on schedule with this newsletter—yay! It’s been a good end to the week for me. Professionally, I broke some exciting news about camera access on Android XR, which I’ll dive into later. Personally, I whipped up some delicious Italian pasta here in China for a few friends, using ingredients I brought from home, of course. Here’s hoping next week brings more good vibes, not just for me but for all of you too!
Top news of the week
The Meta Quest ecosystem is in a precarious position
Henry Stockdale from Upload VR has crafted an insightful piece detailing the challenges the Horizon Store is currently facing. In the aftermath of merging with App Lab and revamping the Meta Horizon OS and its mobile app interface, it’s been a struggle for Quest developers. Many find it tough to ensure their games are visible, which inevitably affects their revenue streams. Alarmingly, some studios report revenue dips of 50-80% compared to early 2023. Weeks have passed with developers pleading for changes on the platform, echoing sentiments I shared in a recent blog post.
Developers need Meta to promptly overhaul the Horizon Store to highlight quality titles instead of cheap Gorilla Tag knockoffs. However, Meta’s response has been a blog post emphasizing a successful year for Quest 3 and Quest 3S, noting that a significant portion of new headset buyers are younger users with limited income. This demographic gravitates towards free-to-play games, often content with these affordable alternatives.
While Meta’s observation of a shift in XR market dynamics towards younger users rings true—an exciting development for the future of VR—the negligence towards supporting diverse content types warrants criticism. It’s been noticeable since 2022 that young audiences have increased on the platform, but the drop in developer revenue seemingly began post-2024’s store reform. The underlying issue appears to be the store’s structure, not merely the audience demographic.
I’m left wondering about Meta’s future strategies, especially with the recent layoffs at VR studios like SideQuest and nDreams. The risk is that developers might pivot away from VR content creation on Horizon Store, particularly when alternative platforms like Android XR become viable options. Without change, Meta might cater solely to Horizon Worlds and similar content, potentially sacrificing the vibrant creative ecosphere it has nurtured over six years.
In the meantime, community sentiment largely supports developers. There’s a rallying cry on platforms like Reddit for purchasing premium games or even uninstalling Horizon Worlds to disrupt its prevalence in search results.
Adding to the uncertainty is Mark Rabkin’s departure from Meta for personal reasons, amid ongoing executive reshuffling—complicating matters further.
For more details: Upload VR article on Quest developers’ situation | My previous blog on the topic | Road To VR and Upload VR’s coverage of changes in the Quest Store | Reddit community’s humorous take on Meta’s blog post | Mark Rabkin leaving Meta | Layoffs at nDreams and SideQuest | Reddit community initiatives
Other significant news
Andrew Bosworth predicts 2025 as a critical year for XR
One hot topic this week is a memo from Andrew Bosworth to Meta employees, styled as a motivational boost. A key claim made is that 2025 is a “make it or break it” year for XR at Meta, a statement I find debatable. XR is still nascent, and while exciting developments such as launching Android XR headsets are ahead, I doubt this particular year will define its future. Meta’s long-term investment hints at a broader horizon beyond immediate success.
Interestingly, Bosworth mentions the possibility of failure, prompting speculation about a strategic shift towards smart glasses. Yet this seems unlikely. Despite the hype, smart glasses, notably Meta’s Ray-Ban duo, achieving mainstream traction remains speculative. Turning away from VR would be unwise for Meta.
The memo also teases “half a dozen wearables,” likely referring to upcoming smart glasses, watches, and advanced bands. Notably, John Carmack had thoughts on the memo — appreciating it but criticizing the focus solely on MR (Mixed Reality), suggesting VR’s undervaluation. Horizon Worlds, also mentioned, might be diverting attention from larger strategic goals.
Find out more: Meta’s projected $100B XR expenditure | Insights into Boz’s memo | Speculations on “half a dozen” wearables | John Carmack’s critique
Apple developing support for PSVR 2 controllers
According to Marc Gurman, Apple is working towards enabling PSVR 2 controllers on the Apple Vision Pro. These would be sold separately and cater primarily to gamers needing controllers. Sony currently sells controllers exclusively with the headset, but might shift strategies if this initiative pans out. A potential announcement could align with the unveiling of VisionOS 3 at June’s WWDC.
Camera access on Android XR confirmed
I’ve received confirmation from Google that Android XR will support camera access similar to smartphones. With user permission secured via a popup, developers can use both front and rear headset cameras. This setup is crucial for developers aiming to craft genuine mixed reality experiences. I’m pleased that Google is replicating their phone permission model, ensuring user control remains paramount.
Newsflash
- Quest Game Optimizer, an app for fine-tuning Quest settings, has hit 100,000 users—a remarkable achievement for a non-store app. Kudos to its developer!
- John Carmack asserts that Beat Saber has been more pivotal for VR adoption than Half-Life Alyx. While I agree regarding mass appeal, each game holds substantial significance for different reasons.
- Meta debuted Ray-Ban Meta glasses ads during the SuperBowl, featuring stars like Chris Hemsworth. Though not outstanding, they help build smart glasses awareness.
- Spatial.io’s pivot to gaming with Animal Company—drawing heavily from Gorilla Tag—is finally gaining traction.
- Civilization VII is set to debut on Meta Quest alongside traditional platforms. As a fan of Civilization II, this news certainly excites me, although its appeal may vary for the current Quest market.
A few notable highlights:
Recent content updates and launches:
- Synth Riders celebrates the Super Bowl with a Kendrick Lamar Experience on Apple Vision Pro.
- FRENZIES launches a Super Bowl event on Quest.
- Gorilla Tag marks its fourth anniversary with a Birthday Bash—happy anniversary!
- Harpagun, a new arcade game, steps into early access on Quest on Feb 13.
- Project Aeroes arrives on Quest, free until March 5.
- Boxed Out, a color puzzle game, is slated for a March 24 Quest release.
- DIVR Labs unveils a demo for Aim Assault on PC VR on Feb 13.
- A co-op game called Duet is in development, promoting silent initial communication.
For an extensive rundown of minor XR news, check out Upload VR’s usual XR News Round-Up.
Content Review
COLD VR offers an intriguing twist on SUPERHOT, though some levels need revising.
For more insights: Check out the review!
Other news
- Steam now alerts players about stagnant early access games.
- UnitedXR emerges from a merger between Stereopsia and AWE Europe.
- Meta is reportedly developing a “Desk Mode” for Meta AI on Quest, though its future release remains uncertain.
Supporting the XR community
You’ve seen the challenges XR developers face lately. Support us by purchasing applications, leaving positive reviews, spreading the word, or highlighting games on social media—your efforts make a difference!
A touch of XR humor
Indulge in some humor with these quirky links on XR mods, headsets, and gamer desires.
A plea for generosity
Once again, let me urge you to extend your helping hand toward those caught in the Ukraine conflict. Please consider donating to the Red Cross to aid their humanitarian efforts. Here’s the link to contribute.
Before I go, let me express thanks to the wonderful supporters who keep this blog going through Patreon:
[Acknowledgment list of supporters]
And now, here’s the donation link to the Red Cross in Ukraine.
(Header image by Meta)
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