Feeling a bit more rejuvenated these days, I’m thrilled to be bringing this newsletter to you right on time (hooray!). It’s been a pretty rewarding end to the week for me. On the professional front, I’ve been diving into some exciting updates about camera access on Android XR—more on that later. On a personal note, I relished the chance to whip up some authentic Italian pasta for friends here in China, complete with ingredients I smuggled from home, of course. So here’s hoping we all have another great week ahead!
Top News of the Week
The Meta Quest Ecosystem Faces Challenges
Henry Stockdale over at Upload VR penned a detailed analysis worth a look, addressing the issues with the Horizon Store. After merging with App Lab and revamping the Meta Horizon OS and mobile app, making Horizon Worlds the centerpiece, many Quest developers find it increasingly tough to get their games noticed. This lack of visibility leads to significant revenue drops, with some studios citing losses between 50-80% compared to what they used to earn in 2023. Developers have been voicing their struggles on various platforms, and I even highlighted similar concerns in a personal piece on my blog some months back.
The crux of the matter is the need for Meta to overhaul the Horizon Store, improving discoverability for quality titles rather than pushing clone-heavy shovelware of Gorilla Tag and similar games. Meta, however, responded by boasting about Quest 3 and Quest 3S sales and the changing demographics of the store, which now include a large number of new users—kids with limited budgets. Understandably, these younger users gravitate towards free-to-play, simplistic games.
This shift, as Meta puts it, stems from an influx of younger users clamoring for free content. If you’re creating high-quality premium content, well, you’re basically on your own. While I understand Meta’s need to adjust to a changing audience, it’s concerning that they’re sidelining developers of premium games. Since 2022, more kids have joined the platform, but the real revenue decline hit around mid-2024 after Meta’s store revamp. Clearly, the issue lies in the store’s new design, not the young users.
This week’s news included further layoffs at VR studios like SideQuest and nDreams. If Meta doesn’t address these challenges, developers might shift their focus elsewhere, perhaps creating traditional flatscreen content, because surviving on the Horizon Store seems increasingly impossible. As potential alternatives like Android XR emerge, developers will likely gravitate toward them, feeling betrayed by Meta’s current trajectory. If Meta solely wants its headsets to host Horizon Worlds and its low-cost content, it risks losing the vibrant ecosystem of Quest creators it has spent years cultivating.
With community support mainly rallying around the developers, some Redditors are calling for users to buy more premium games or even uninstall Horizon Worlds to disrupt search results. Amid this turmoil, Mark Rabkin, Meta’s VR division head, stepped down for family reasons, further complicating the response to this crisis.
For more info, check out the Upload VR article on the Quest developers’ situation, various discussions on Meta’s new Quest Store philosophies, or join Reddit discussions advocating for change.
Other Relevant News
2025: A Critical Year for XR According to Andrew Bosworth
One of the week’s most talked-about revelations was Andrew Bosworth’s motivational memo to Meta employees. Declaring 2025 as the pivotal year for XR at Meta, Bosworth seems to be rallying the troops to stay focused and driven. Yet I’m skeptical. XR is still in its infancy, and while we might see the launch of Android XR headsets, significant market shifts aren’t expected due to factors like Samsung’s device pricing.
Meta has committed billions to XR, with plans extending into the 2030s. So, despite Boz’s assertion that this year defines whether Meta’s XR efforts are visionary or a misstep, it feels more like a motivational tactic than a factual prediction. Some observers speculate this could preemptively justify potential scaling down or pivoting towards smart glasses, but abandoning VR for an unproven market seems unlikely.
Boz also mentioned new wearable launches, hinting at smart glasses, watches, and neural smartbands. John Carmack both appreciated and critiqued Boz’s memo, noting the importance of emphasizing both VR and MR, rather than just MR, and questioning Horizon Worlds’ growing dominance in Meta’s strategy.
Dive deeper into Meta’s strategic plans with links to discussions on their projected XR investment, Boz’s full memo, and expert opinions.
Apple and PSVR 2 Controller Integration
According to the ever-reliable Marc Gurman, Apple is still keen on integrating PSVR 2 controllers with Apple Vision Pro. These controllers, optional accessories sold separately, target gamers who require controllers for specific games on the Apple platform. While Sony doesn’t currently sell these controllers independently, this could change pending confirmed collaboration. While we await further updates, VisionOS 3’s June announcement during WWDC might reveal more.
Camera Access in Android XR Confirmed
Google has confirmed that developers will be granted camera access on Android XR, similar to mobile phones. With user permission via a pop-up, developers can utilize the headset’s front and back cameras. The front camera mirrors the phone’s rear camera, while an avatar-based face reconstruction represents the selfie camera. This setup allows mobile apps to function seamlessly, capturing either the user’s view or their avatar’s face. This development is a welcome boost, enabling true mixed reality experiences while keeping user control at the forefront.
News Worth Mentioning
Quest Game Optimizer Celebrates a Milestone
Amidst a slew of challenging XR news, here’s a positive highlight! The Quest Game Optimizer app, which optimizes settings for superior Quest performance, has impressively reached 100,000 users. Particularly noteworthy as it’s not available on the store but must be sideloaded. Kudos to the developer behind this brilliant tool!
John Carmack Weighs in on XR Game Importance
In a recent post, John Carmack remarked that Beat Saber had a greater impact on XR’s growth than Half-Life: Alyx, citing its role in driving standalone VR adoption. While both games have played significant roles in different respects—Alyx capturing hardcore gamers and showcasing VR’s immersive potential—Carmack highlights Beat Saber’s pivotal role in standalone VR’s success.
Ray-Ban Meta’s Super Bowl Promotions
You can now catch the two Super Bowl ads Meta rolled out for the Ray-Ban Meta glasses. As someone who’s watched the one featuring Chris Hemsworth, I found it entertaining yet not particularly groundbreaking. Nonetheless, I hope it sparks more interest in smart glasses tech.
Spatial.io’s Game Development
Spatial.io has pivoted through various business models, from enterprise meetings to showcasing NFTs, and is now having some success with a Gorilla Tag-inspired game called Animal Company. Happy to see them finding a niche after numerous strategic shifts.
Civilization VII Goes VR
Sid Meier’s Civilization VII is branching beyond its traditional platforms to include Meta Quest, available in both MR and VR formats. While it may not be the top choice for today’s Quest market, it’s a nostalgic delight for gamers like me who’ve spent countless hours in Civilization II.
More information on Civilization VII’s Quest release can be found on YouTube and Upload VR.
More Content Highlights
- Synth Riders introduces a Kendrick Lamar Experience on Apple Vision Pro for Super Bowl LIX.
- FRENZIES launches a new Super Bowl-themed event on Quest.
- Gorilla Tag celebrates its fourth anniversary with a Birthday Bash event.
- Harpagun, a VR arcade game, launches in early access on February 13 on Quest.
- Project Aeroes, a mixed reality game, is live on Quest, free until March 5.
- Boxed Out hits Quest on March 24.
- DIVR Labs drops a demo for Aim Assault on February 13 for PC VR.
- The indie co-op game Duet encourages communication and teamwork as you progress.
Catch up with the regular XR News Round-Up from Upload VR for a compilation of smaller updates.
Review Corner
COLD VR offers an intriguing take on SUPERHOT but some levels are still a bit rough around the edges and could benefit from further refinement.
Other News
Steam announces it will notify players when early access games lack updates for a year. In other developments, Stereopsia and AWE Europe have merged into the UnitedXR event based in Brussels. Meanwhile, Meta’s internal "Desk Mode" for Meta AI on Quest hints at future integrations, although it’s uncertain if it will launch publicly.
Partner Updates
Support the XR developers!
We’ve discussed the challenges XR developers are facing. Consider supporting them by purchasing games or apps, leaving positive reviews, sharing their work, and boosting visibility on social media. Your support could make a huge difference.
XR Fun
Discover the memes behind the UEVR universal mod and giggle at the hilarious comments they spurred. Check out what people really want when splurging on new headsets or just wanting one core thing in VR—cue the laughs.
Donate for a Good Cause
As always, let’s not forget those in need. This week, I encourage contributing to the Red Cross, supporting civilians in Ukraine amidst ongoing conflicts. Your help is invaluable, and I’ll leave a donation link for your convenience.
Thanks to my incredibly supportive Patreon donors who continuously back my blogging efforts. You’re all amazing!
- Alex Gonzalez VR, DeoVR, GenVR, Eduardo Siman, Jonn Fredericks, and others who power this journey with their support.
Here’s where you can donate:
Support The Red Cross in Ukraine
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