Another week has unfolded, bringing with it a fresh batch of exciting updates from the XR world. Let’s dive into the highlights and see what’s been stirring in this fascinating industry.
Top News of the Week
(Image by Niantic)
Niantic Contemplates Selling Its Gaming Division
In an unexpected twist, Niantic, the creator behind the widely popular Pokémon Go, is reportedly in talks to offload its gaming division to Scopely—a company owned by Saudi Arabia—for a mind-boggling $3.5 billion. It’s astonishing to consider that Pokémon Go, which still maintains a dedicated fanbase and generates substantial revenue, could soon change hands. Despite Pokémon Go’s sustained success, Niantic struggled to replicate this with other ventures like their now-defunct AR Harry Potter game. Essentially, by selling its flagship, Niantic may be relinquishing not only a hefty revenue stream but also critical data crucial for its AR development efforts, such as AR Cloud capabilities.
Analysts suggest this bold move aligns with Niantic’s aspiration to carve a niche in the realm of AR, potentially positioning itself as a technological torchbearer for the so-called “outdoor metaverse” movement. They speculate the infusion of $3.5 billion might fuel Niantic’s ambitions to advance its AR tools and hardware. While this strategy screams risk, akin to a high-stakes gamble, it also reflects an unwavering belief in XR technology’s impending boom—possibly as soon as within the next three years. As an XR enthusiast, it is exciting to witness Niantic’s commitment, but the risk would have made me uneasy if I were in their shoes.
Other Relevant News
(Image by Meta)
Meta’s $50M Creator Fund for Horizon Worlds
Meta is stepping up its game by announcing a lucrative $50 million in bonuses to creators within its Horizon Worlds platform. These incentives aim to boost content creation, rewarding those whose contributions significantly enrich the ecosystem. Alongside this initiative, Meta is also hosting a contest on March 11 with a substantial $100,000 prize pool. Enhancements in development tools are also coming, with Meta releasing a desktop editor, reminiscent of popular game engines, enabling creators to bring more sophisticated worlds to life.
While extra support for creators is always welcome, the timing of Meta’s announcement feels off. Developers in the XR community are voicing concerns over their games not getting the spotlight they deserve, as Meta seems to be funneling a lot of attention towards Horizon Worlds. Observers argue this not only impacts current developers but risks overshadowing other budding projects within the Quest ecosystem. Meta’s approach, which doesn’t involve upfront funds for project pitches but rewards after-the-fact, doesn’t sit well with professionals who can’t afford the gamble of unpaid labor.
Moreover, questions arise about whether Meta is fostering a sustainable ecosystem or just dangling monetary incentives. Many remember the pitfalls of such approaches—where interest fades once financial perks dry up. Still, more investment in creators is generally favorable, although evolving Meta’s broader strategy might be wiser.
XR Industry’s Ongoing Challenges
Despite bright spots, the XR industry faces significant hurdles, from layoffs to unsatisfactory store experiences on Meta’s platforms. Major successes are scarce, though moments like 3R Games’ report of selling over 310,000 copies of Thief Simulator VR on Quest prove there’s hope.
Notable Incidents:
- Embracer Group expressed dissatisfaction with Metro Awakening’s performance, despite positive reviews and revenue.
- Toast Interactive faced layoffs and downsizing, citing difficulties with game visibility on the Quest Store among the causes.
- Complaints continued on Reddit about poor content discoverability in the Horizon Store.
- Schell Games is rebranding Among Us VR to Among Us 3D, adapting by offering cross-platform play to capture a broader audience.
Upcoming Events & New Developments
Meta Connect 2025 Dates Announced
Meta has marked September 17-18 for its next Connect event. While a new Quest 4 isn’t expected, exciting reveals like new smart glasses are anticipated, alongside updates on third-party Horizon headsets from Lenovo and ASUS. Meanwhile, Meta’s newly established LlamaCon will cover developments in AI, leaving tech enthusiasts curious about what’s next.
Palmer Luckey’s Military AR/VR Innovations
Palmer Luckey unveiled ambitious plans for a military AR/VR headset, claiming enhancements beyond current technology. He hints at a quantum leap in augmented vision, potentially setting a new standard.
VR Game Showcase
The VR Games Showcase scheduled for March 11 promises fresh glimpses at anticipated titles like Hitman: World of Assassination for PSVR 2, Roboquest VR, and revealing Flat2VR Studios’ new projects.
Content Releases & Offers
From narrative-driven adventures to shooter games and co-op experiences, a variety of new VR content is on the horizon. Humble Bundle has unleashed a treasure trove of resources for software developers venturing into VR, catering to engines like Unity, Unreal, and Godot.
Some Lighthearted XR Fun
Pause for a chuckle with fresh AI-related memes.
Support & Gratitude
This week, I urge you once more to consider contributing to humanitarian efforts supporting Ukraine. Your donations to the Red Cross can make a significant difference. My heartfelt thanks go out to all Patreon supporters who continually uplift this endeavor.
Here’s where you can lend your support: [Red Cross Donation Link]
(Header image by Niantic)
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