Hey everyone, I’m feeling much better lately, so I’m thrilled to say this newsletter is right on schedule again—hooray! My week ended on quite a high note. On the work front, I shared some exciting news about camera access on Android XR (more on that soon), and personally, I whipped up a delicious Italian pasta dinner for friends here in China, thanks to some ingredients I brought from home. Now, here’s hoping the week ahead is fantastic for all of us!
Top News of the Week
The Meta Quest Ecosystem Faces Challenges
Henry Stockdale from Upload VR has penned an insightful piece about the ongoing struggles within the Horizon Store. After the main store merged with App Lab and the user interface of Meta Horizon OS and the mobile app shifted focus more towards Horizon Worlds, it’s been a tough landscape for Quest developers. If games can’t be found, they can’t be sold, and many studios are reporting revenue losses between 50–80% compared to what they expect. Developers have been voicing these concerns for weeks, and it’s something I echoed on my blog not too long ago. Meta really needs to address this with updates that spotlight quality titles rather than the constant barrage of Gorilla Tag clones and overly showcase Horizon Worlds’ content. Meta’s response so far? They’ve been celebrating Quest 3’s successful year and shifting user demographics, which indicate a wave of younger users who prefer free, fun content. While the influx of younger users is indeed an intriguing growth area for the XR ecosystem, the challenge lies in balancing that with the needs of developers who create high-quality premium content. Recent VR studio layoffs, including those at SideQuest and nDreams, underscore the urgency of the situation. The conversations on Reddit where folks are advocating for purchasing premium games or uninstalling Horizon Worlds indicate the community’s support for devs. Amidst all this, the recent departure of Meta’s VP of XR, Mark Rabkin, might not bode well for prompt resolutions to these issues.
Other Relevant News
Andrew Bosworth’s 2025 Vision for XR
A notable source of discussion this week was Andrew Bosworth’s memo to Meta employees. It reads like a pep talk, urging the push for XR’s success. While Boz called 2025 the "make it or break it year" for XR, I’m not entirely on board with that perspective. XR is still in its infancy, and nothing earth-shattering is anticipated this year—perhaps Android XR headset launches, but meta plans massive investments in XR. Boz also hinted at potential failures, a sentiment some interpret as hedging against unsuccessful outcomes, but I don’t see Meta backing away from VR yet. The launch of several new wearables is expected, likely encompassing smartglasses and neural smartbands.
John Carmack sees potential in Boz’s vision but critiques the emphasis on MR and Horizon Worlds, suggesting a need to maintain focus on the broader VR landscape.
Apple and PSVR 2 Controller Integration
According to Marc Gurman, Apple is progressing on integrating PSVR 2 controllers with Apple Vision Pro, targeting those opting for controller-reliant games. While a release date is speculative, VisionOS 3’s launch during WWDC could be a fitting occasion.
Android XR’s Camera Access Feature
Google confirmed indiscreet camera access alignments on the Android XR operating system, promising camera capabilities reminiscent of phones. This feature should empower developers to advance on mixed reality projects, mimicking phone-like permission systems for user control.
News Worth Mentioning
Quest Game Optimizer Hits Milestone
Despite the turbulent XR climate, Quest Game Optimizer, which optimizes Quest applications, has hit 100k users—a commendable achievement, especially for an app not available directly on the store. Kudos to its developer for this impressive feat.
John Carmack on VR Innovations
Carmack shared on X that standalone VR outpaced other advancements profoundly, with games like Beat Saber making more impactful strides than Half-Life: Alyx in promoting VR adoption.
Ray-Ban Meta’s Super Bowl Ads
Meta’s Super Bowl ads for their Ray-Ban glasses featuring Hollywood celebrities may not hit all the right notes but aim to boost awareness for smartglasses.
Spatial.io’s New Game Venture
After several pivots, Spatial.io finds success with a game inspired by Gorilla Tag, marking another change in direction for the company.
Civilization VII Will Explore VR
Civilization VII is making its way to VR on the Meta Quest, offering both MR and VR versions, much to the delight of series veterans like myself.
Content Highlights
Exciting new content includes the Kendrick Lamar-themed Super Bowl celebration in Synth Riders, Frenzies’ event on Quest, Gorilla Tag’s fourth anniversary bash, and launches like Harpagun and Project Aeroes. Be sure to dive into celebrated frescoes hitting the market.
Reviews
COLD VR is proving to be a fresh take on the SUPERHOT formula, though some levels might still need some tweaks.
Other News
Steam is now alerting users about early access games that stall in development, and Stereopsia is joining forces with AWE Europe to form the UnitedXR event. Additionally, Meta’s exploring a "Desk Mode" for Quest AI interaction.
Community Support
As XR developers face current challenges, show your support by purchasing XR games, sharing positive reviews, and promoting them in your networks—every gesture boosts our spirits!
Fun in XR
For some amusement, check out the witty reasons people are turning to the UEVR universal mod and the humorous takes circulating online.
Engage and Contribute
Let’s take a moment to reflect on the immense support from patrons and consider donating to humanitarian causes, like efforts to aid those affected in Ukraine via the Red Cross. Your contribution can make a difference.
(Header image courtesy of Meta)
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