XR Weekly Highlights (2025.02.10): Meta Quest Store’s Transition, Possible Integration of PSVR 2 Controllers by Apple, and More!

Lately, I’ve been feeling better, and I’m pleased to send out this newsletter on time again—hooray for small victories! It’s been a productive end to the week. On the professional front, I’ve unveiled some exciting news about camera access on Android XR (stay tuned for details), and on the personal side, I pulled off a successful Italian pasta night for friends here in China, thanks to some ingredients I brought from home. Here’s hoping that next week brings more goodness for all of us!

Let’s dive into the week’s highlights.

The Meta Quest Ecosystem: Navigating a Fragile Moment

Henry Stockdale from Upload VR crafted an insightful piece on the challenges facing the Horizon Store. The main store’s merger with App Lab and revamped UI prioritizing Horizon Worlds has left Quest developers struggling for visibility. With fewer users discovering their games, studios are witnessing revenue drops between 50-80% compared to previous years. Developers have been voicing their frustrations for weeks, and even I penned a personal piece on my blog months ago discussing similar issues. Meta seriously needs to update the Horizon Store to highlight quality games instead of endless clones and stop putting Horizon Worlds on a pedestal. Instead, Meta’s response via a blog post was to celebrate the successes of Quest 3 and Quest 3S, emphasizing the changing demographic with more devices being purchased by new, younger users who favor free-to-play, simple games. If you’re developing premium titles, it seems you’re left to fend for yourself.

Reading Meta’s response left me perplexed. While it’s true that XR is attracting younger audiences—a positive sign for future growth—both premium and free-to-play titles could coexist, benefiting all parties involved. Developers saw significant revenue drops starting in mid-2024 after changes to the store, not because of an influx of younger users. So, the store’s functionality is the real issue.

The situation is tense, highlighted by recent layoffs at VR studios like SideQuest and nDreams. If Meta remains inactive, many developers might pivot to other content types or platforms, like Android XR, in search of greener pastures. Meta risks losing the vibrant ecosystem of Quest creators it’s fostered over six years if it continues this path. In response, the dev community on platforms like Reddit has rallied, encouraging the purchase of premium games and even uninstalling Horizon Worlds to avoid unwanted search results.

Meanwhile, Mark Rabkin, VP of XR at Meta, left the company for family reasons. The current management upheaval adds another layer of complexity to this urgent issue.

For further details, check out: Upload VR’s article | My own take | Meta’s Store changes recap – Road To VR | User reactions on Reddit.

Key Developments in XR

The Countdown to 2025: A Crucial Year for XR

The buzz this week includes a motivational memo from Andrew Bosworth at Meta, proclaiming 2025 as XR’s pivotal year. While it reads like a corporate pep talk, I don’t entirely buy into the idea. XR is still in its early phase, and apart from the upcoming Android XR headset release, not much groundbreaking is expected soon. Meta has committed to huge investments through the 2030s, predicting XR spending could hit $100 billion. Suggesting 2025 as make-or-break seems more motivational than factual.

Boz’s words about envisioning either a visionary legacy or a significant misadventure have stirred speculation about potential VR budget cuts. Yet, the idea of shifting focus from VR to smart glasses doesn’t hold water for me. Success in smart glasses isn’t yet evident enough to justify abandoning VR. The memo also hinted at launching "half a dozen wearables," likely encompassing smartglasses, watches, and neural smartbands.

Tech luminary John Carmack took a look at the memo, agreeing with parts but critiquing the evasion of direct VR focus and the overemphasis on Horizon Worlds.

For more insights, see: Meta’s expenditure insights | Boz’s memo analysis | Potential wearable launches discussed by Upload VR.

Apple and PSVR 2 Controllers: Integration in Progress

Marc Gurman whispers that Apple is hard at work integrating PSVR 2 controllers with the Apple Vision Pro. These controllers, set to be sold separately, will cater to gaming enthusiasts keen on controller-centric games on the Vision Pro. Sony hasn’t traditionally sold controllers separately, but a confirmed partnership could change that. The anticipated announcement might coincide with VisionOS 3 at June’s WWDC.

Find out more here: Full Story.

Exciting News for Android XR Developers

Google recently assured that Android XR will offer camera access akin to smartphone capabilities. Developers can tap into the front and back cameras with user permission, facilitated by a simple popup. The headset’s forward-facing camera will serve as the back camera equivalent, with user facial reconstruction supported by onboard sensors. This setup mirrors mobile phone permissions, placing control firmly in users’ hands.

This is indeed promising. Developers now have new tools to build immersive mixed reality experiences.

Get the full scoop: Here.

Noteworthy Mentions

Quest Game Optimizer Hits a Milestone

Amidst the influx of challenging news in XR, here’s a bright spot: Quest Game Optimizer, an app that maximizes the performance of Quest applications, has surpassed 100,000 users! Kudos to the creator for achieving this on a platform that necessitates sideloading.

Discover more: Details.

Carmack Weighs In on Gaming Milestones

John Carmack, via X, shared his stance that Beat Saber’s contribution to XR eclipses that of Half-Life: Alyx due to its role in standalone VR’s success. Although both games hold distinct and significant impacts on VR, with Alyx showcasing deep immersion for hardcore fans.

Further details here: More.

Meta’s Super Bowl Ad Campaign

Meta rolled out two Super Bowl ads featuring well-known actors to boost its Ray-Ban Meta glasses. While Chris Hemsworth’s spot was entertaining, it didn’t quite hit the mark. Yet, any exposure is good exposure, right?

Learn more: Full Story.

New Ventures and Releases

• Spatial.io’s new game venture inspired by Gorilla Tag is showing promise.
• Civilization VII is set to expand into VR and MR for Meta Quest users, which is music to the ears of many longtime fans.

For the full release lineup, check out: Spatial.io | Civilization VII News.

Keeping Up with Content

With events cascading around Super Bowl and various game releases, there’s something for everyone:

• Synth Riders celebrates with a Kendrick Lamar Experience.
• New games and updates launching in February and March—perfect for a gaming refresh.

Explore more updates: Here.

Quick Content Reviews

COLD VR offers an intriguing twist on SUPERHOT, though some levels could use a bit of refining.

For more reviews, see: Full Review.

Additional Tidbits

• Steam alerts players about inactive early access games—a necessary nudge.
• Two events, Stereopsia and AWE Europe, are merging into UnitedXR.

Find out more: Here.

Support Our XR Community

It’s a challenging time for XR developers. Standing by us by purchasing games, sharing reviews, or simply spreading the word is immensely appreciated. Every small action helps sustain this growing field.

And now, a call for kindness: consider supporting the humanitarian efforts in Ukraine through the Red Cross. The enduring conflict there needs our collective help.

Finally, thanks to all who continue to support my efforts and those of my peers.

For contributions, please visit: Here.

(Header image by Meta)

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