The XR Weekly Digest (March 18, 2025): Niantic Sells Pokémon Go, Meta Launches Passthrough APIs, and More!

What a whirlwind of activity it’s been! My week was packed, but in the best way possible. Just when I thought my to-do list couldn’t get any longer, Meta drops a bombshell with the release of camera access for Quest, and naturally, I couldn’t resist diving right in. Let’s uncover some of the most captivating XR news from the past week—trust me, there’s plenty. Stick around until the end, and you might just stumble upon a surprise giveaway!

The Key Highlights This Week

Niantic Says Goodbye to Its Gaming Division

In a stunning $3.85 billion deal, Niantic sold off its entire gaming division, including the iconic Pokémon Go, to Scopely. Interestingly, Scopely’s parent company is partially owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund—meaning Pokémon Go now has royal ties. Niantic has repositioned itself to focus on its geospatial technologies, incorporating AI and AR to create Niantic Spatial, a new venture bolstered by $250 million in funding. It’s a bold move, no doubt, shedding their biggest revenue generator to focus on technology that is yet to prove its financial might. This risky leap towards the future of XR suggests Niantic sees AR gaining substantial profitability in the near future. But let’s be honest, without Pokémon Go as a safety net, could this venture be a leap too far if the road to AR adoption gets longer than expected? Hats off to John Hanke for this audacious pivot though; it’ll be intriguing to see where this gamble lands.

Meta’s Passthrough APIs for Quest

After much anticipation, Meta finally rolled out its Passthrough APIs for the Quest series. These APIs allow developers to access camera frames so that applications can intelligently respond to the user’s environment—think AI-driven image analysis. Released as an experimental feature, this advancement integrates into Quest’s SDK and runtime, with official samples to boot. The community’s enthusiasm is palpable, with developers already creating instructional content. It’s a promising move towards creating a more immersive experience, despite being bound by some initial usage limitations. But historically, Meta has lifted such restrictions relatively soon, so keep your optimism handy!

VR Games Showcase Delivers Again

Another installment of the VR Games Showcase led by Jamie Feltham passed, offering up a smorgasbord of exciting VR updates. While nothing seismic came through, there were several engaging announcements to appreciate:

• "Stay: Forever Home" set to launch on Quest with a charming VR canine companion.
• A slick new trailer for "Hitman: World of Assassination," aiming for a March 27 release on PSVR 2.
• The spine-tingling "Memoreum" drops its new trailer, with a release scheduled for Quest in September.
• "Slender: The Arrival VR" will become available across PS VR2, PC VR & Quest this spring.

And the list goes on! Check out the provided links for a deeper dive into all the exciting updates from the showcase.

Ultraleap and the Corporate Breaking Point

In a rather sobering development, Ultraleap is being dismantled and sold in parts. Once a beacon of innovation in haptics and hand-tracking, it’s heartbreaking to see it now merely a shadow of its former self. Rumor has it Roli, a musical instrument manufacturer, is acquiring its hand-tracking segment while 30 employees have been let go. The rest will join Roli, marking a significant shift for Ultraleap’s once promising trajectory. This suggests an early acquisition might have been more prudent, given the ever-evolving XR landscape.

Sneak Peek at Samsung’s Project Moohan

Samsung seems poised to equip its upcoming Project Moohan headset with motion controllers, as discovered by SamMobile. References to new controllers suggest a departure from Apple’s hand-tracking only approach, hinting that Samsung values a blend of both traditional and innovative control schemes. Such versatility could ease the content transition from devices like the Meta Quest, enriching Samsung’s offering right off the bat.

Meta’s Horizon Worlds Faces Internal Struggles

A report shines a not-so-flattering light on Horizon Worlds. It appears internal enthusiasm is lacking, with some developers going so far as to trick sensors into thinking they’re using the application, while they remain physically absent. It seems those building the infrastructure aren’t avid users of virtual spaces themselves—a curious revelation. Meanwhile, the structure borrows more from social app development than immersive worlds, which might be hindering its appeal.

A Touch of Other News

Elsewhere, Google’s $115 million acquisition of eye-tracking company AdHawk signals an escalation in XR investment. Valve’s wireless dongle hints at a more robust SteamVR experience, possibly aligning with the anticipated Deckard headset. Meanwhile, Meta’s new micro gesture detection could profoundly alter user interaction within mixed reality applications.

Looking Forward

Amidst all this, there’s much more brewing in the XR world, from Valve’s potential innovations to Samsung’s strategic moves. The VR ecosystem is shifting rapidly, and it’s an exciting — albeit unpredictable — era to witness firsthand.

Don’t Miss The Giveaway!

To wrap it up with a flourish – I’m offering a chance to snag "Mythic Realms," a captivating mixed and virtual reality game for Quest, absolutely free. Be quick and redeem one of the two exclusive keys. If you miss out, consider purchasing to support the developers, as they’re creating great content that keeps us coming back for more.

Final Thoughts

While the industry evolves, public support can make all the difference, especially for those plagued by conflict beyond our screens. Consider donating to the Red Cross to aid humanitarian efforts in Ukraine.

Let’s keep this dialogue going as XR continues to redefine the future of gaming. Happy gaming, and here’s to a world of endless possibility in VR!