Lately, I’ve been feeling a lot better, so I’m happy to say this newsletter is right on schedule (yay!). It’s been a rewarding end to the week; work-wise, I shared some exciting news about camera access on Android XR (more on that later), and personally, I successfully made some tasty Italian pasta for my friends here in China, with ingredients I brought from home. Fingers crossed next week will be just as great, not just for me but for all of you too!
Top News of the Week
(Image by Meta)
The Meta Quest Ecosystem Faces Challenges
Henry Stockdale from Upload VR has penned an insightful article about the current hurdles in the Meta Quest ecosystem, particularly focusing on the Horizon Store. With the integration of the main store and App Lab, combined with UI changes in Meta Horizon OS and its mobile app that prioritize Horizon Worlds, Quest developers are finding it increasingly difficult to have their games discovered. The result is a notable decrease in revenue, with some studios reporting losses between 50-80% compared to their earnings in 2023.
Developers have voiced their frustrations for weeks, hoping for Meta to update the Horizon Store to enhance the visibility of quality titles over repetitive Gorilla Tag clones and not constantly spotlight content in Horizon Worlds. Meta’s response was a blog post celebrating the year’s success for Quest 3 and Quest 3S, citing changing store demographics. Interestingly, around two-thirds of this year’s headset buyers are new users, many of whom are children inclined towards easy, free-to-play games rather than premium ones.
Reading Meta’s blog post was startling. On the one hand, I’m thrilled to see more children engaging with XR, which bodes well for future interest in the technology. However, there’s room for both children’s content and premium-quality games, and Meta, taking a 30% cut from transactions, should support a diverse range of developers. The issue isn’t just more kids on the platform; it’s the problematic store redesign.
With recent layoffs in VR studios like SideQuest and nDreams, it’s uncertain what Meta’s plan is. If no changes occur, developers might shift focus to flatscreen content or new platforms like Android XR, feeling betrayed. If Meta wants to lean solely into Horizon Worlds, it risks losing the creative ecosystem it’s cultivated over six years.
Reddit communities advocate for developers, encouraging support for premium games and uninstalling Horizon Worlds to lessen its influence on search results. Amid these changes, Meta’s VP of XR, Mark Rabkin, has left for family reasons, and management restructuring likely delays addressing these issues.
Other Key News
(Image by Meta)
Andrew Bosworth’s 2025 XR Prediction
Andrew Bosworth stirred conversation with a memo urging Meta employees to drive XR forward, marking 2025 as a pivotal year. While I think XR’s journey is still in early days, and 2025 might not be as decisive as some suggest, Meta is committed, planning hefty XR investments through the 2030s, potentially reaching $100B this year. Some speculate this memo’s a precursor to scaling back on VR in favor of smart glasses, but I doubt it; VR remains critical to Meta’s strategy.
In the memo, Bosworth hints at launching several new wearable devices, probably covering upcoming smartglasses, smartwatches, and neural smartbands. Interestingly, John Carmack praised the memo yet criticized the focus on MR over VR and Horizon Worlds’ mobile emphasis, remarking on Meta’s growing fixation.
Apple’s Collaboration with PSVR 2
Marc Gurman reports Apple is working on integrating PSVR 2 controllers with Apple Vision Pro, primarily for users wanting more immersive gaming experiences. If this partnership progresses, Sony will likely offer controllers separately. The timeline for this update isn’t clear, but VisionOS 3 at June’s WWDC could be an opportune moment.
Android XR’s New Camera Integration
Google has confirmed Android XR will grant camera access akin to smartphones, enabling developers to utilize both front and rear cameras, with user-permission pop-ups ensuring control. This marks a significant step, potentially unlocking true mixed reality experiences for developers.
Noteworthy Mentions
(Image by Quest Games Optimizer)
Quest Game Optimizer Hits Milestone
Amid a torrent of unfavorable XR news, here’s a positive highlight: Quest Game Optimizer has now attracted 100,000 users, a commendable achievement considering it isn’t directly available on the store but requires sideloading. Kudos to its developer!
John Carmack on VR’s Influences
In a recent statement, John Carmack suggested that while standalone VR saw massive adoption success, Beat Saber proved more pivotal than Half-Life Alyx. While each game served unique purposes—Alyx for showcasing VR’s potential to hardcore gamers—his view holds weight from an adoption standpoint.
Ray-Ban Meta’s SuperBowl Spot
Meta launched two ads for Ray-Ban Meta during the Super Bowl, featuring well-known actors like Chris Hemsworth. Though the humor and pacing weren’t particularly outstanding, the hope is they will still generate interest in their smart glasses.
Spatial.io’s New Adventure
After several strategic pivots, Spatial.io is enjoying some success with a game inspired by Gorilla Tag, aptly called Animal Company. It’s great to see them thriving after numerous changes!
Civilization VII Ventures into VR
Exciting news for Civilization fans: Sid Meier’s Civilization VII is heading to Meta Quest, offering both MR and VR experiences. While it might not be everyone’s cup of tea in the current market, it certainly brings nostalgia for those of us who grew up with early Civilization games.
Content Highlights
- Synth Riders: Dive into a Kendrick Lamar Experience for Super Bowl LIX on Apple Vision Pro.
- FRENZIES: Kicks off a Super Bowl-themed event on Quest.
- Gorilla Tag: Celebrates four years with a Birthday Bash—a big Happy Birthday!
- Harpagun launches on Quest February 13 in early access.
- Project Aeroes: A new mixed reality game debuts on Quest for $9.99, free until March 5.
- Boxed Out brings colorful puzzle fun to Quest on March 24.
- Aim Assault demo arrives February 13 for PC VR.
- A new indie co-op game, Duet, emerges with unique communication dynamics.
Other Updates
- Steam’s new notification for stagnant early access games.
- Merger of Stereopsia and AWE Europe into UnitedXR in Brussels.
- Potential "Desk Mode" feature in the works for Meta AI on Quest, although future release remains uncertain.
Support the XR Community
I’ve covered how tough times are for XR developers—your support makes a difference! Buy a game, leave a positive review, share a title with friends or on social media; every bit helps and is deeply appreciated.
Just for Laughs in XR
Check out UEVR’s funny universal mod, entertaining post comments, and lighthearted XR memes—sometimes laughter is the best companion in tech!
Donate for Good
In closing, rather than ask for donations to my blog, I’d like to remind you to consider supporting those enduring hardships due to the conflict in Ukraine by donating to the Red Cross. Your generosity can make a tangible difference. Huge gratitude goes out to my Patreon supporters for their ongoing encouragement and support—thank you all! Here’s the link for your contribution:
Support The Red Cross in Ukraine
(Header image by Meta)
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