XR Weekly Roundup (2025.01.21): XR Autumn Trends, Windows 11 Update Disables WMR, and More!

I can say from personal experience that the CES bug is real, and, unfortunately, it doesn’t just vanish once CES is over. However, my commitment to bringing you the latest in XR news surpasses this annoying cold, so here’s a roundup of what’s been happening in the XR world that I think you’ll find fascinating.

Top News of the Week

The fall season for XR technology seems to be an ongoing journey. Right now, the immersive reality sector isn’t exactly booming; the market’s a bit stagnant, and business is tough. While we all agree that AR/VR technologies will be vital in the future, they’re not quite mainstream yet. This is something I’ve explored in previous articles, analyzing the current state of our field.

This week once again affirms my earlier observations:

• PowerWash Simulator VR’s studio has announced that they are halting updates just 14 months post-launch because development costs outstrip earnings.
• Soul Assembly, the creators of titles like Drop Dead: The Cabin and Just Dance VR, is letting 15% of its workforce go.
• Downloads for the Meta Horizon app plummeted by 27% on Christmas Day 2024 compared to a year before, based on data from Omdia and Sensor Tower. VR purchases this holiday season aren’t mirroring previous years, possibly due to users with Quest 2 not finding enough reason to upgrade to a 3 or 3S. A similar slump was seen during Black Friday on Amazon.
• A report from Counterpoint shows a 4% global VR market decline in Q3 2024 compared to Q3 2023.
• Former Sony exec Shuhei Yoshida confessed in an interview his regrets about being “wrong” on PS VR2.
• After 7 outstanding years, the F.Reality podcast is signing off.

Blair Renaud, the developer of LOW-FI, took to X to express his discontent with the current uncertain climate. Feeling adrift on an uncertain voyage is not uncommon among developers these days.

Although the overall situation is worrying, there are a few bright spots:

• Forbes released an article emphasizing the metaverse, noting that younger generations prefer it as a socializing platform over traditional social media.
• The Counterpoint analysis also indicated that Apple Vision Pro shipped more than IDC’s initial projections, especially internationally. If these shipments equate sales, Vision Pro’s numbers align with Apple’s early estimates.
• Beat Saber is reportedly on the cusp of reaching 10 million copies sold on Quest alone.

As we look to the future, it’s clear we face challenging times. At CES, I didn’t encounter anything that signaled a shift in current AR/VR trends, apart from smartglasses. I’ve highlighted the positives to remind us there’s hope, and eventually, the tide will turn. However, we should brace ourselves for what’s to come. What’s crucial now is survival.

Other Relevant News

• Microsoft is now pushing the 24H2 update for Windows 11 onto machines they control, like Home versions. This update ends Mixed Reality support, turning all Windows Mixed Reality headsets into doorstops unless you can dodge the update with a Pro version or an enterprise-controlled PC. To all WMR users, hang in there.

• ASUS has put out a new trailer for their AirVision M1 smart glasses. While these glasses aren’t new (they first appeared back during CES in 2024), they’ve only just caught my attention. These 3DOF glasses project a virtual display before you with features like 1100 nits brightness, 60% lens transparency, TÜV Rheinland certification, and built-in speakers. It’s compatible with Windows PCs and Rog Ally handhelds and weighs just 87g. You can enjoy a virtual multi-screen setup via companion software, priced at $700, a tad higher than the XREAL One Pro’s $600.

News Worth Mentioning

• Palmer Luckey responded to Blair Renaud’s X thread, hinting at an exciting announcement in the coming weeks tied to VR, possibly related to his military VR headset teased at AWE or maybe that cheeky Quest Pro. Keep an eye out.

• Somnium Space has bumped its headset prices by €5–700 following manufacturing complexities. The updated lineup: Somnium VR1 Visionary Edition at €3000 + VAT, Titan Edition for €3400 + VAT, and Ultimate Edition at €4300 + VAT.

• Meta and Plessey have unveiled what they call "the world’s brightest" red microLED display for AR glasses, pushing 6M nits with minimal power use, crucial for outdoor AR glasses. Dr. Keith Strickland of Plessey hailed it as a "significant breakthrough in AR technology.”

• Two young developers, Caden Li and Eddy Xu, are using Ray-Ban Meta glasses to enhance chess play, streaming board images to an AI that suggests moves audibly through the glasses’ speakers. This ingenious demo underscores the potential of smart glasses integrated with AI, advocating for more open, programmable devices.

• American quarterback Jayden Daniels has garnered attention for leading the Washington Commanders to their first NFL playoff win since 2006. He credits his success, in part, to VR headset training, reinforcing the effectiveness of VR technology in sports preparation.

Content Updates

• The Rust-like survival game GRIM and Tablecraft, a free "mad science" VR sandbox, are both in early access this week for Quest and SteamVR.
• Lovesick, offering a VR puzzle journey from the viewpoint of a weary band bassist, hits Meta Quest headsets on March 6.
• Rogue Piñatas: VRmageddon is smashing into Meta Quest on February 6, followed by a spring release on Steam.
• Unexpectedly, PSVR 2’s Firewall Ultra receives an update, despite studio closure.
• UploadVR has its regular XR News Roundup featuring smaller industry updates.

Reviews on Recent Content

• Upload praised Iron Rebellion’s mech simulation for its deft balance of control and being in a large, clunky mech.
• Arken Age brings a compelling game with vibrant visuals and satisfying combat mechanics.
• Assetto Corsa EVO’s Early Access launch faces multiple issues.
• The Thrill Of The Fight 2 presents a fresh angle on multiplayer boxing.
• Human Within stumbles in delivering a well-constructed branching narrative.

Other News

• Discontent is brewing as Meta removes the in-headset app for achievement viewing.
• There’s ongoing curiosity around the small LED by the Quest 3S cameras.
• With continued debate around the Visor headset, reviews are mixed amidst Discord bans for release date inquiries.
• Michael Gschwandtner is creatively crafting low-cost AR glasses that connect with his Nintendo Switch.

News from Partners (and Friends)

A workshop on the musical metaverse is happening at the IEEE International Symposium on the Internet of Sounds in L’Aquila, Italy, from Oct 29-31. The October 30 event invites academia and industry to delve into Musical XR and networking advancements. If you’re working on similar projects, consider submitting your papers!

Some XR Fun

• A humorous take on Meta hardware vs. software.
• A comical portrayal of doing business in XR.
• A light-hearted suggestion for a new QA test for Quest devices.

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