Meta News April 2023: Meta, formerly known as Facebook, has made some big moves in the virtual reality (VR) world recently, particularly in the gaming sector.
The company has shifted its focus to gaming, as evidenced by a series of recent layoffs and changes to support for certain VR titles.
Here’s what you need to know:
Layoffs Affect Lone Echo and Onward
According to a report from Road to VR, Meta recently laid off a significant number of employees from its VR division. This includes the closure of several studios, such as the one responsible for the development of Lone Echo, a popular VR game.
While Meta has stated that it remains committed to VR, these layoffs suggest a shift in priorities toward gaming.
Meta announced an increased focus on gaming-related projects within its Reality Labs division, but these layoffs are part of the company’s “year of efficiency” plan, which was announced in March 2023.
CEO Mark Zuckerberg said that 10,000 employees would be laid off, with tech roles affected in April and business roles in late May.
Support for Quest 1 and Myst Ending
In addition to the layoffs, Meta has announced that it will end support for the original Oculus Quest headset.
This means that new games and updates will no longer be available for the device, as developers will be focusing their efforts on the newer Quest 2.
This move has also affected the classic VR game Myst, which will no longer receive updates or support on the Quest platform.
Eye of the Temple Release Date Announced
On a more positive note, Meta has announced the release date for Eye of the Temple, a VR adventure game that has been in development for several years.
The game is set to launch on May 17th, and will be available on both the Quest and PC VR platforms. This is an exciting development for VR enthusiasts, particularly those interested in adventure games.
VR App Store Revenue Continues to Grow
Despite the changes and layoffs at Meta, the VR industry as a whole continues to grow. A recent report from Mixed News states that revenue from VR app stores is expected to reach $10 billion by the end of 2022.
This is a significant increase from previous years, and suggests that the VR market is still ripe with potential for developers and investors alike.
!! For more information about the different VR headsets on the market, check out this product specification list.
Final Thoughts
Meta’s recent shifts in focus and support changes suggest that the company is doubling down on gaming in the VR space.
While this has resulted in layoffs and the end of support for certain titles, there are still exciting developments on the horizon, such as the release of Eye of the Temple.
And despite these changes, the VR industry as a whole remains strong and full of potential for growth.
Espen
Espen is the Director of PursuitMeta and has written extensively about Virtual Reality and VR Headsets for years. He is a consumer product expert and has personally tested VR Headsets for the last decade.
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