Hello everyone! I’m feeling much better now, so here I am, right on schedule with this week’s newsletter (woohoo!). This past week wrapped up nicely for me both professionally and personally. On the work front, I broke some exciting news about camera access on Android XR (I’ll delve into that in a bit). Meanwhile, on the personal side of things, I whipped up some delicious Italian pasta for friends right here in China, thanks to a few ingredients I brought from home. Fingers crossed for another fantastic week ahead for not just me but all of you as well!
Top News of the Week
The Meta Quest Ecosystem is in a Delicate Phase
Henry Stockdale from Upload VR has offered an insightful take on the challenges currently facing the Horizon Store. Since integrating the main store with App Lab and overhauling the UI of Meta Horizon OS and mobile app to heavily promote Horizon Worlds, developers are finding it increasingly difficult to have their games discovered by users. When games aren’t easily found, revenue suffers. Many studios are reporting a staggering drop in earnings, ranging from 50–80% compared to 2023. Developers have been vocal about their struggles on the platform and, having written a similar piece from a personal perspective a few months ago, I can relate.
What’s sorely needed is an urgent update to the Horizon Store, improving the discoverability of quality titles rather than cluttering the space with Gorilla Tag replicas. Meta, however, responded with a blog post celebrating a strong year for Quest 3 and Quest 3S, noting demographic shifts in the store. It seems two-thirds of headsets sold this year are in the hands of new users, many of whom are young and prefer free-to-play games. Essentially, Meta said they’re catering to this new wave of users and content.
This response was shocking. While it’s true that the XR ecosystem now includes many young users, happy to embrace XR technologies and foster growth, both user bases should be served. The problem is not the younger audience; it’s a flawed store layout leading to drastic revenue reductions, mainly evident around mid-2024 when store changes were implemented.
What’s worrying is that as layoffs continue to affect VR studios, like SideQuest and nDreams, if Meta doesn’t address this issue, developers might abandon ship in favor of alternative projects or platforms like Android XR, a contender just on the horizon. Without action, Meta risks losing the vibrant ecosystem it has cultivated over the past six years. The community sides mostly with the developers, with Reddit campaigns encouraging premium game purchases and even Horizon Worlds uninstallations to stop its content from dominating search results.
Adding to the current complications, Mark Rabkin, VP of XR at Meta, recently left the company for family reasons. Such managerial shifts during a crisis might delay effective responses to these pressing issues.
For further details, check out Upload VR’s article on Quest developers’ concerns and Meta’s response regarding the Quest Store changes.
Other Relevant News
Andrew Bosworth Explains Why 2025 Is Critical for XR
This week, Andrew Bosworth stirred plenty of conversation following a memo to Meta employees, styled as a motivational appeal to reinvigorate efforts around XR. A particular statement in the memo caught attention — he called 2025 a "make it or break it" year for XR at Meta. Personally, I’m skeptical of this urgency. XR is still maturing, and significant developments aren’t expected this year. Instead, the major event on the horizon is the introduction of Android XR headsets, although the pricing of Samsung’s device limits its competition against Meta. Meta has committed billions to XR investments slated through 2030, so it’s hard to see this year being pivotal.
Some speculate that Boz’s language hints at anticipated failures and potential cuts in VR spending, leading some to believe a shift toward smart glasses is likely. However, considering even Ray-Ban Meta hasn’t realized broad adoption with one million units sold, abandoning VR for an untested market seems improbable.
Boz also mentioned that Meta plans to debut "half a dozen wearables," likely referencing the upcoming lineup of smartglasses, smartwatches, and neural smartbands.
John Carmack offered his thoughts, appreciating the memo but critiquing specific points. He felt "MR" overshadowed VR, suggesting possible neglect, and was concerned that Horizon Worlds was too central at the expense of broader focus.
Read more about Meta’s sizable XR investment and Carmack’s thoughts on Boz’s memo.
Apple Still Exploring PSVR 2 Controller Integration
Marc Gurman reports Apple continues to work on integrating PSVR 2 controllers with the Apple Vision Pro. Expected to be an optional accessory for gaming on Vision Pro, the controllers may soon be available separately, should the partnership move forward. The timeline for this update remains uncertain, though VisionOS 3’s announcement at the June WWDC is a plausible release window.
Android XR Set to Provide Camera Access
Google confirmed that the Android XR OS will allow camera access reminiscent of smartphones. Developers can utilize the headset’s front and back cameras, provided users grant permission via a popup request. This setup allows the headset’s "front" camera (akin to a smartphone’s rear camera) to show the user’s environment, while the "selfie" camera reconstructs an avatar’s face using sensors.
This development is exciting because it paves the way for developers to craft true AR experiences while putting user control front and center, mirroring Android phones’ approach.
News Worth a Mention
Quest Game Optimizer Hits 100,000 Users
In a breath of fresh, positive air amidst challenging XR industry news, Quest Game Optimizer — a sideloader app adjusting Quest settings for optimal app performance — recently hit 100,000 users. A huge shoutout to its developer for reaching this milestone without being in the official store!
John Carmack Comments on XR’s Journey
In a nod to VR’s journey, John Carmack recently said on X that "standalone VR" triumphs as VR’s greatest win, and Beat Saber has been more pivotal than Half-Life: Alyx. While both titles play crucial roles for various reasons, Carmack’s perspective highlights Beat Saber’s broader impact on adoption.
Ray-Ban Meta Launches Super Bowl Ads
Meta unveiled two ads featuring star-studded talent to promote Ray-Ban Meta glasses during the Super Bowl. I caught one with Chris Hemsworth; it was decent but didn’t quite hit the mark as expected. Let’s hope they still boost awareness for smart glasses!
Spatial.io Ventures into Gaming
After several strategic shifts, Spatial.io seems to have found its groove with a new game, Animal Company, largely inspired by Gorilla Tag. A success story worth recognizing, especially given their pivot-filled past.
Civilization VII to Venture into VR
And this one’s for the nostalgics: Sid Meier’s Civilization VII is making its way to VR on Meta Quest alongside traditional platforms, offering MR and VR modes. Not entirely sure it’s what the current Quest crowd wants, but as an old fan of Civilization II, this news is a delightful surprise.
For more insights, check out the YouTube trailer for Civilization VII’s Quest version and Upload VR’s coverage.
Some Exciting Content News
From celebrating Super Bowl LIX with a special Kendrick Lamar event to Gorilla Tag’s fourth anniversary bash, here’s what’s happening in the XR content sphere:
- Synth Riders brings the Kendrick Lamar Experience to Apple Vision Pro
- Frenzies kicks off a Super Bowl-themed event on Quest
- Harpagun, a new shooter-smasher VR game, arrives on Quest for early access on February 13
- Project Aeroes, the mixed reality spaceship guiding game, hits Quest — free until March 5!
- Boxed Out, a VR puzzle color-matching game, lands on Quest March 24
- Aim Assault, DIVR Labs’ next VR rail shooter, offers a demo for PC VR on February 13
For the full scoop, head to Upload VR’s XR News Round-Up.
A Few Content Reviews
COLD VR intrigues with a fresh spin on SUPERHOT, though some levels could use some polish. Interested? Check out more about COLD VR.
Tidbits and Updates
- Steam’s new alert system warns players if early access games stagnate without updates for over a year. Learn more.
- Stereopsia and AWE Europe now unite under the UnitedXR event banner in Brussels. Learn more.
- Meta’s "Desk Mode" for AI interaction while a headset is idle is under wraps and might never see a full release. Learn more.
Support Developers in XR
It’s a tough time for XR developers, so every bit of support counts. Whether it’s buying a game, leaving a positive review, or sharing with friends, your contributions make a world of difference.
Fun with XR
Indulge in some lighthearted entertainment with quirky and humorous links to keep your spirits lifted. Explore the funny bits here.
Donate to Make a Difference
In closing, instead of seeking donations for the blog this week, I urge you to consider the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. Your aid through the Red Cross can make a significant impact. Thank you to my Patreon supporters for sticking with me through thick and thin!
Support The Red Cross in Ukraine
(Header image by Meta)
Thank you for reading, and see you next time!
