The XR Weekly Recap (December 23, 2024): Meta Braces for Rivalry, Niantic Enhances Spatial Intelligence, and More!

With the holiday season fast approaching, I wanted to take a moment to spread some festive cheer. Tomorrow, I’ll be sending out a special holiday message, but today I’ve got a surprise for you. Consider me your early Santa, because I’m giving away not one but two game keys for some fantastic XR experiences. Be sure to read through this update to discover how you can snag these gifts!

Top News of the Week

Meta Looks Back on 2024 and Gears Up for 2025

Andrew "Boz" Bosworth, the CTO at Meta, shared insights in a revealing blog post reflecting on the company’s achievements over the past year. He highlighted some key moments, alongside thoughts from Mark Rabkin, VP of MR/VR, and the Lowpass newsletter. While much of the post covers well-trodden ground—like the release of Quest 3S, their affordable mixed-reality headset—there are some intriguing insights you won’t want to miss:

• Quest 3S Sales: According to Boz, the device performed well during Black Friday, with expectations for a spike in activations during the holidays. We’ll have to wait to see if it surpasses the Quest 2’s success.

• New Users: Not all buyers are upgrading from Quest 2. Rabkin notes a significant number of first-time Quest users, pointing to a broader reach in the XR community thanks to Quest 3S’s affordability.

• Changing Demographics: With many kids now using Quest, younger audiences are driving new trends in multiplayer and co-op games. Titles like Gorilla Tag exemplify this shift. Meanwhile, adults over 25 are expanding their horizons with more entertainment experiences.

• Success Strategies: Meta is keen on fostering genres that thrive on the platform, such as social gaming and mixed reality. Developers aiming for investment should focus on these areas.

• Popular Apps: The most frequently used apps on Quest 3S include Gorilla Tag, YouTube VR, and Horizon Worlds. This highlights continued interest in media content on VR/MR headsets, with Horizon Worlds gaining traction among younger users.

• Future Prospects: With the competition heating up from Apple and Google (teaming with Samsung), Meta is feeling the pressure. This competition could ultimately benefit users and developers, providing more choices and innovations in the XR space.

For a detailed dive into this discussion, check Boz’s blog post and Lowpass newsletter.

Other Relevant News

Spatial Intelligence Gains Ground

This week, AI and XR continue to intertwine in fascinating ways, particularly through "Spatial Intelligence," focusing on AI’s capability to understand environments. Niantic published a contemplative piece on Large Geospatial Models, illustrating how AI can fill spatial data gaps. Meanwhile, NYU researchers have proposed VSI-Bench to assess AI’s 3D space comprehension—a vital step toward enhancing XR experiences.

News Worth Mentioning

Apple’s 8K Camera Pre-Orders Kickoff

Blackmagic Design’s new URSA Cine Immersive camera, tailored for Apple’s Immersive Video, is now open for preorders. Aimed at professionals, this $30,000 camera boasts huge specs geared towards delivering high-quality VR180 content.

Meta’s New SDK Feature

A new SDK feature allows developers to animate avatars with just audio input, enhancing expressions beyond simple lip-syncing.

Performance Fix for Quest on Steam VR

A handy workaround discovered by users could smooth out quirky performances of Quest on Steam VR—try disabling the Motion smoothing option.

Tokyo’s Digital Twin

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government offers a point cloud of the city for free, ideal for crafting digital twins, training AI models, or mapping new locations.

Holiday Deals and Awards

Meta’s Winter Sale is brimming with discounts on blockbuster VR games. For those keeping track of 2024’s standout titles, Upload VR has unveiled its top game choices—did you guess correctly which game starts with "Bat"?

Alien Rogue Incursion Launch

Despite mixed reviews, this title adds to the array of VR experiences shaping the medium’s future. While not the standout we hoped for, it still rounds out this year’s fun releases.

Game and Tech Highlights

• Preorders & Releases: SUPERHOT-inspired COLD VR is coming soon, while Figmin XR introduces colocation on Apple Vision Pro. Steam’s Tentacular Playground and Niantic’s Scaniverse offer fresh gaming landscapes.

• New Experiences: From VR visual acuity tests to dinosaur-raising simulators, these new games and apps look to broaden our digital horizons. Masters of Light and Grimlord provide exhilarating action on different platforms.

PatchWorld Updates

PatchWorld, a dynamic music app on Quest, unveils a new update with increased hand-tracking functionality, opening new avenues for interaction and integration with tools like Ableton Live.

Join Us at CES!

If you’re attending CES, don’t miss the DeoVR Afterparty—a fantastic chance to connect and unwind with fellow VR enthusiasts.

Finally, let’s take a moment to support those in need. Consider donating to the Red Cross to assist those affected by the ongoing crisis in Ukraine. Together, we can make a significant impact.

Thank you to all my supporters, patrons, and readers. Wishing you all a joyous holiday season filled with gaming adventures and happy experiences!