XR Weekly Roundup (March 18, 2025): Niantic Sells Pokémon Go, Meta Launches Passthrough APIs, and More!

This past week has been a whirlwind of activity for me at work—but in the best possible way. Just as I was juggling a ton of tasks, Meta’s latest update on camera access for Quest piqued my interest and, naturally, I had to dive in. Now, let’s get straight to the most exciting and substantial XR news of the week…and hang in there until the end because there’s a giveaway you won’t want to miss!

Top News from the Industry

Niantic’s Big Move: Gaming Division Sold to Scopely

In a surprising turn of events, Niantic has sold off its entire gaming division, including the widely popular Pokémon Go, to Scopely. The deal closed at a hefty $3.85 billion, making Pokémon Go a property of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. Niantic, on the other hand, is shifting gears to focus on their geospatial tech that integrates AI, AR, and spatial intelligence. They’ve launched Niantic Spatial with a solid $250M in initial financing. While the sale is a significant gamble—parting ways with a major revenue source like Pokémon Go—it indicates Niantic’s strong belief in the future profitability of AR in the coming years. But let’s be honest, this move strips them of a potential system-seller for future XR glasses. I must say, John Hanke has shown incredible courage by wagering everything on XR, cutting off safety nets in the process. Regardless of the outcome, this bold pivot earns my respect.

Meta’s Passthrough APIs Debut for Quest

Meta has finally released the Passthrough APIs that allow developers to utilize camera frames, enabling mixed reality applications on Quest to interact more dynamically with a user’s environment. Once developers secure permission from users, cameras can be managed easily via Android and Unity’s existing functionalities—an encouraging development for cross-platform applications. Despite its current status as an experimental feature, which means applications can’t be deployed on the Horizon Store yet, this is a promising step forward. Meta typically relaxes such restrictions after a few months, so those interested should keep an eye out.

VR Games Galore at the March 2025 Showcase

The recent VR Games Showcase, led by Jamie Feltham, delivered a slew of intriguing updates in VR gaming. While there wasn’t any earth-shattering reveal, we’ve got a few gems worth highlighting:

• “Stay: Forever Home” is ready to launch on Quest this April, featuring exciting VR adventures with a virtual dog-like buddy.
• "Hitman: World of Assassination," set for release on March 27, has dropped a promising trailer for PSVR 2.
• Those who enjoy a good scare will be pleased to hear that "Slender: The Arrival VR" is on its way to PS VR2, PC VR, and Quest this spring.

For a deeper dive into these announcements, we’re linking all the updates below!

A Gloomy Future for Ultraleap

It’s truly disheartening to report that Ultraleap, once renowned for its innovations in haptics and hand tracking, is being sold for parts. According to Sifted, Roli will acquire the hand-tracking segment, with SIM IP taking over the intellectual property for haptics. The split sees Ultraleap laying off 30 employees, with the remaining team moving over to Roli. While the company has kept quiet, the writing on the wall suggests a grim future for what was once a prospective leader in XR technology.

Samsung’s Project Moohan: A Look Ahead

Samsung appears to be staying in the game with its Project Moohan headset, opting for first-party controllers similar to those found on existing headsets like the Meta Quest. The decision avoids going all-in on hand tracking, a strategy Apple appears to favor with its devices. Whether these controllers will be standard with headset purchases remains to be seen, but what’s clear is that Samsung is setting the stage for smooth content transitions from other platforms to Android XR—a smart way to fill out a content library quickly.

Meta Faces Internal Struggles with Horizon Worlds

A report from New World Notes sheds light on internal issues at Meta regarding Horizon Worlds, particularly a lack of enthusiasm among developers. Some employees reportedly put tape over their headset sensors just to fake participation. Additionally, many developers on the project come from a background in social app development, which might explain why some interfaces seem more suited for websites than virtual worlds. If this report holds true, Horizon Worlds is missing the passionate drive needed for success.

AdHawk and Valve’s Exciting Developments

Google is in talks to acquire AdHawk Microsystems for its cutting-edge eye-tracking technology—an investment that showcases Google’s ongoing commitment to XR. Meanwhile, Valve is potentially working on a SteamVR Link Dongle to enhance wireless VR connectivity, potentially in tandem with the rumored Deckard headset. This move could offer a major improvement in wireless PC VR reliability.

Meta’s Micro Gesture Feature and Immersed Delays

This week, amidst all the XR updates, Meta introduced micro gesture detection in its SDK, allowing for smooth, minimal effort interactions within MR applications. On the flip side, Immersed announced further delays for their Visor headset, which is now expected after summer. The company’s financials look concerning, raising questions about its long-term viability unless significant traction is achieved post-launch.

Challenges and Future Experiments

Tough times persist for the VR gaming market; Phaser Lock and People Can Fly are either shutting down or stepping back. These decisions echo the industry’s turbulence amidst reduced investment, highlighting the uncertainty still present in the VR gaming landscape.

And finally, in a realm where reality blurs with fiction—bio-computers with living neurons are now a reality, and dream-sharing experiments are pushing boundaries that defy imagination.

Exciting Deals and News on XR Games

For all you gaming enthusiasts out there, both Steam and the Horizon Store are offering great discounts on VR titles. And for those quick enough, there’s a chance to snag a free copy of Mythic Realms—just check the codes above!

In summary, the XR landscape is rife with innovative strides and significant stumbles. While some ventures face headwinds, others break new ground, promising an exciting future filled with both challenges and opportunities for growth.

Let’s keep our fingers crossed for more groundbreaking updates in the days to come, and hey, maybe pick up a few discounted games while you’re at it!