The XR Weekly Update (February 25, 2025): Niantic Considers Selling Pokémon Go, Meta Launches $50M Creator Fund for Horizon Worlds, and More!

Another week rolls in, bringing with it a fresh batch of XR news just waiting to be explored!

Highlights from the Week

Niantic May Be Selling Its Gaming Division

In a surprising turn of events, Bloomberg reports that Niantic is considering selling its gaming wing to Saudi Arabian-owned Scopely for a staggering $3.5 billion. This potential sale could mean that Niantic’s crown jewel, Pokémon Go, might find a new home. It’s bewildering to think they might part with such a lucrative franchise, despite its declining hype. Pokémon Go continues to generate significant revenue, thanks to its dedicated fanbase. While the game remains a key revenue source and a massive data generator for training AR algorithms, the move suggests Niantic’s steadfast commitment to pivot more towards AR-driven initiatives. The company appears poised to channel resources into building an "outdoor metaverse" and improve its AR toolsets—a bold gamble indeed, particularly in the absence of Pokémon Go’s steady cash flow. From a business standpoint, it seems like a high-stakes, high-reward maneuver I personally might shy away from. Yet, as an XR enthusiast, I’m thrilled about Niantic’s apparent faith in XR’s burgeoning potential. If Niantic believes that now is the pivotal moment for AR, who’s to argue against a potential surge in its relevance in the coming years?

For more details

Other Noteworthy Updates

Meta Launches a $50M Creator Fund for Horizon Worlds

Meta is shaking things up with a $50 million fund aimed at Horizon Worlds creators. This initiative rewards standout contributors through bonuses linked to engagement metrics. Additionally, Meta is sprucing up Horizon Worlds’ development tools, offering a desktop editor reminiscent of popular gaming engines to encourage the creation of more impressive worlds.

While I commend Meta’s investment in fostering creativity, the timing raises some eyebrows. Many XR developers voice concerns about visibility issues on the Horizon Store, and there’s growing discontent over Horizon Worlds seemingly eclipsing other projects. In this context, announcing a new fund might seem a tad tone-deaf. Additionally, rather than accepting pitches for specific world projects, Meta’s current reward structure might deter smaller teams who can’t afford to work potentially unpaid. The approach seems to curry favor mainly with independent creators who have the luxury of time, perhaps skewing towards a more Roblox-esque ecosystem.

Nonetheless, I still view this increased financial support as a positive step. My hope is that Meta’s broader strategy evolves to bolster the XR development ecosystem further.

For more details (Meta announces $50M creator fund for Horizon Worlds)

• [More on Horizon Worlds desktop editor]
• [Thoughts on the payout strategy]
• [The case for rethinking Horizon Worlds]

The XR Sector’s Continuous Challenges

The turbulence within XR appears unrelenting, evidenced by reports of layoffs and the persistent frustrations voiced by developers regarding the Horizon Store. However, amidst these challenges, success stories occasionally emerge, highlighting pockets of potential within the industry.

This week’s highlights:

• Embracer Group’s game, Metro Awakening, fell short of financial expectations despite its favorable reviews and revenue.
• Toast Interactive, known for titles like Richie’s Plank Experience, downsized due to the underwhelming Quest Store visibility for Max Mustard.
• Despite frustrations with the Horizon Store, 3R Games’ Thief Simulator VR: Greenview Street reached a milestone with over 310,000 units sold on Quest.
• Schell Games re-brands Among Us VR as Among Us 3D to expand its user base across platforms.

It’s evident there remain hurdles to overcome, yet stories of resilience continue to inspire hope within the community.

For more details on specific stories within the XR industry, check out:

• [Metro Awakening]
• [Toast Interactive’s changes]
• [Horizon Store complaints]
• [Schell Games’ branding shift]
• [3R Games’ successes]

Meta Reveals Connect 2025 Dates

Mark your calendars for September 17-18! Although specifics are sparse, look out for announcements regarding new smart eyewear from Oakley and updates on Horizon headsets by Lenovo and ASUS. We won’t expect any AI news, as LlamaCon is now the go-to event for that.

For more details

• [Meta Connect 2025 insights]

Notable Mentions in the News

Palmer Luckey Unveils More on His Military Headset

During a chat with Shawn Ryan, Palmer Luckey gave us a glimpse into his latest military-grade headset. Designed from scratch, this device promises to be revolutionary, surpassing existing AR/VR systems. Luckey’s bold proclamations about its capabilities are sure to stir excitement and anticipation within the tech community.

For more details

Meta’s New Terminology: MR Over VR?

Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth recently shared that the company now uses "MR" as a catch-all term for both mixed reality and virtual reality—a move likely inspired by Apple’s own terminology shift. However, this new phrasing leaves many VR developers anxious about Meta’s future focus.

For more details

Meta Quest v74 Brings "DisplayPort" Output

Quest’s latest runtime release has caused quite a stir. Among its new features is the ability to connect an external monitor to the Quest’s USB-C for high-quality display mirroring, which will prove invaluable for demos and exhibitions. There are also enhancements to the casting experience and more.

For more details

The VR Games Showcase Returns Soon

Circle March 11 on your calendars! The upcoming VR Games Showcase is set to feature popular titles like Hitman: World of Assassination and Roboquest VR among others, with new game announcements expected.

For more details

Humble Bundle Tailored for Developers

Developers, take note! Humble Bundle’s latest offering, "The All-In-One VR Game Dev Bundle," equips you with invaluable resources across Unity, Unreal, and Godot engines.

For more details

Unique Additions in Game Content

Several intriguing game titles are on the horizon:

• Detective VR immerses you fully into a narrative-driven MR experience.
• Silent North promises intense multiplayer action with zombies.
• There’s more to look forward to, from Pixel Arcade’s parkour thrills to an XR adaptation of Neon Genesis Evangelion.

For comprehensive updates and more details about new releases and adaptations, see:

• [Detective VR]
• [Silent North]
• [Chronostrike]
• [Monster Snap]
• [Several other engaging updates]

Content Reviews

Recent reviews provide insight into several VR experiences:

• "One True Path" delivers a compelling narrative.
• "Realize Music: Sing" offers a casual karaoke experience but is marred by bugs.
• Ashen Arrow blends VR shooting with roguelite elements.
• "Selina: Mind At Large" captivates, despite a few technical hiccups.

For more insights on each title:

• [One True Path]
• [Realize Music: Sing]
• [Ashen Arrow]
• [Selina: Mind At Large]

Miscellaneous Updates

• A closer look at VR’s graphical potential using an RTX 5090 card.
• Discover key features in the upcoming VisionOS 2.4.
• A comparative study on hand-tracking differences between PSVR 2 and Quest.
• Microsoft’s exciting developments in quantum technology.

For more fascinating insights, dive into:

• [VR graphics enhancements]
• [VisionOS updates]
• [Hand-tracking comparison]
• [Advancements in quantum chips]

Innovations from Allies and Friends

Explore the Golden Kingdom

Golden Kingdom promises a sweeping fantasy RPG experience in an open-world format, stirring the imagination of PCVR enthusiasts. For those keen, check out the free demo available during the Steam Next Fest.

For more about this ambitious endeavor:

• [Official website]
• [Free demo on Steam]

A Bit of XR Humor

• Curious about AI? Here’s a laugh: [Funny link]
• A cheeky take on Meta’s interactions: [Funny link]
• A humorous twist on situational solutions: [Funny link]

Extend a Helping Hand

Instead of a call for personal support this week, consider aiding individuals impacted by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The Red Cross is actively providing much-needed humanitarian assistance.

Thank you immensely to my dedicated Patreon supporters, whose contributions help drive this platform forward.

Consider donating here: [Support The Red Cross in Ukraine]

(Header image by Niantic)

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