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Another week brings new updates in the ever-evolving XR landscape!
Highlight of the Week
Niantic Considers Selling Its Gaming Division
A startling report from Bloomberg suggests that Niantic is in discussions with Scopely, a company owned by Saudi Arabia, to possibly sell its gaming division for a whopping $3.5 billion. This could potentially mean that Pokémon Go might find a new home. It’s an unexpected move since Pokémon Go continues to generate significant revenue, despite the fading initial craze. Niantic hasn’t been able to recreate the same kind of success with any other title, with even promising ventures like the AR Harry Potter game quickly winding down. It’s puzzling why they’d consider parting with such a significant revenue generator. Pokémon Go isn’t just a cash source; it supplies valuable data that fuels Niantic’s AR advancements. Analysts suggest this strategy allows Niantic to concentrate on its goal to create an ‘outdoor metaverse’ and advance AR service potentials. In an audacious all-or-nothing strategy, Niantic appears determined to focus on AR innovation and expansion, a move that inspires excitement and confidence among XR enthusiasts.
Other Noteworthy Updates
Meta’s $50M Creator Fund for Horizon Worlds
Meta has rolled out a $50 million fund aimed at rewarding top creators in its Horizon Worlds ecosystem. Bonuses are being awarded based on contributions to the ecosystem, with categories like time spent, retention, and purchases in mind. Exciting contests and advancements in development tools are part of the mix as well. However, the timing is questionable. Developers are concerned about visibility and economic sustainability, and some argue that Meta should channel these efforts differently to genuinely uplift the ecosystem. Yet, the influx of these funds reflects Meta’s commitment to enriching creative content within Horizon Worlds.
The Continuing Challenges of XR
The XR industry faces ongoing challenges, including layoffs and product visibility struggles. Despite this, there are glimmers of success, such as 3R Games achieving substantial sales with Thief Simulator VR despite industry-wide struggles underscoring a complex but hopeful narrative.
Meta Connect 2025 Dates Announced
Save the dates: September 17 and 18 are when you can catch Meta Connect 2025. Alongside anticipated updates like new smart glasses collaborations and third-party details on Horizon headsets, there’s plenty to look forward to, though details about AI developments will surface separately at the new LlamaCon.
Quick Bytes
- Palmer Luckey Talks Military Headset: Palmer Luckey promises new military AR/VR hardware offering unprecedented advances in resolution and capabilities.
- "MR" Now Encompasses VR at Meta: Meta is now referring to both mixed reality and virtual reality as "MR", which has sparked discussions among developers.
- Quest v74 Runtime Update: New DisplayPort mode allows high-quality mirroring during demos, marking a notable improvement for exhibitions.
Game-related Highlights
- VR Games Showcase: Upcoming reveals and announcements from Hitman: World of Assassination to Roboquest VR lined up for March 11th.
- Developer’s Humble Bundle: An enticing package for VR developers across platforms, from Unity to Godot.
XR Fun & Support Initiatives
The ongoing XR dialogue includes a touch of humor and an earnest push for support to humanitarian causes. For those wishing to make a difference, consider donating to the Red Cross in Ukraine—every contribution counts.
Stay Engaged and Informed
Stay connected with these evolving stories by checking out the full-length features through the provided links, and don’t hesitate to support good causes or reach out if you have insights or innovations to share!
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