Got some XR news to catch up on? Let’s dive into the week’s most intriguing stories!
Top News of the Week
Niantic’s Gaming Division Up for Sale?
In a twist that’s taken the gaming community by surprise, Niantic, the powerhouse behind Pokémon Go, might be handing over its gaming division to Scopely, a Saudi-owned entity, for a staggering $3.5 billion. If this goes through, Pokémon Go could soon find itself under new management. Despite Pokémon Go’s phenomenal success and enduring popularity, Niantic has struggled to recapture that magic with its other games. They’re considering this sale to pivot toward developing an "outdoor metaverse" and focus exclusively on AR services. With $3.5 billion to power their ambitious goals, Niantic is indeed making a bold move. It’s risky, but as someone deeply fascinated by XR technology, their faith in AR’s potential is thrilling. Niantic’s actions suggest a strong belief that AR is set to grow significantly within the next three years.
Other Relevant News
Meta’s $50 Million Bet on Horizon Worlds
Meta is stepping up its game by dedicating a hefty $50 million to reward creators on Horizon Worlds. Every month, the most engaging and fun contributions to the ecosystem will be eligible for financial bonuses. This initiative includes a contest launching on March 11, with prizes reaching up to $100,000. Alongside this, upgraded creation tools for Horizon Worlds are being introduced, allowing for more sophisticated world-building using Typescript, akin to game engines like Unity or Unreal. While it’s exciting to see Meta supporting creators, the timing raises eyebrows amidst developers’ complaints about visibility issues on the Horizon Store. Meta’s efforts could inadvertently hinder the Quest ecosystem if not aligned with wider developer needs. Additionally, rewarding creators only after their content gains traction might deter smaller studios and independent developers from participating without guaranteed returns.
Continued Turmoil in the XR World
The XR landscape remains stormy, characterized by layoffs and ongoing challenges on the Meta Horizon Store. Developers lament over poor visibility, while users are frustrated with subpar game selections. Success stories exist but seem rarer. This week’s updates include Embracer Group’s revelation that Metro Awakening didn’t hit financial targets despite good reviews, and Toast Interactive facing layoffs due to insufficient sales linked to discoverability issues. Conversely, 3R Games celebrates selling 310,000 units of Thief Simulator VR on Quest, illustrating that success is still attainable.
Save the Dates: Meta Connect 2025
Mark your calendars for September 17-18 as Meta Connect 2025 approaches. While no specific agenda is available, expect updates on smart glasses and third-party Horizon headsets, with no news on the Quest 4 or AI developments.
News Worth a Mention
Palmer Luckey’s Military Headset Ambitions
Palmer Luckey shared exciting insights about a new military-grade headset developed to outperform the IVAS device. Custom-built for military use, this headset aims to enhance situational awareness through advanced AR/VR/MR systems. Luckey is confident it’s a revolutionary leap forward, even compared to his initial Oculus innovations.
Meta Rebrands VR to MR
Meta’s CTO, Andrew Bosworth, announced a controversial shift: "MR" (mixed reality) will now encompass both MR and VR. While intended to align Meta’s branding more closely with Apple, this may unsettle VR developers who fear their contributions might be sidelined.
Exciting Updates and Events
- Meta Quest v74: The latest update introduces "DisplayPort" mode for screen mirroring, enhancing demo experiences with improved casting features.
- VR Games Showcase: Scheduled for March 11, featuring games like Hitman: World of Assassination and Roboquest VR with new announcements.
- Humble Bundle for Developers: Featuring tools for Unity, Unreal, and Godot, this bundle aims to empower VR game developers.
Content and Reviews Highlights
- Detective VR and Silent North: Bringing new narrative and multiplayer adventures to VR enthusiasts.
- Chronostrike and Monster Snap: Offering unique mechanics and fresh content for Quest and PC VR.
Other News
- VR games’ visual enhancements with RTX 5090 graphics.
- Upcoming functionalities in Apple VisionOS 2.4.
- Insights into hand tracking on PSVR 2 versus Quest.
Support and Fun
Golden Kingdom presents an open-world RPG in a game demo, aligning with VR enthusiasts’ dreams. Lastly, humor and goodwill abound with calls for donations to humanitarian causes.
That’s your XR news roundup for the week—conveying an industry on the brink of groundbreaking shifts and hopeful advancements. Keep those VR headsets at the ready!
