The ambitious dream of a virtual reality empire is rapidly fading at Meta. Just two years after a staggering $400 million acquisition, the company is dismantling Supernatural, the popular VR fitness app developed by Within – a purchase fiercely defended against the Federal Trade Commission.
This isn’t an isolated incident; it’s a seismic shift in strategy. Meta recently announced the elimination of 1,500 positions, roughly 10% of its workforce, specifically within Reality Labs, the division dedicated to hardware and virtual reality.
The company’s public statements reveal a clear pivot. Instead of doubling down on the “Metaverse,” Meta is now aggressively redirecting resources towards the development of AI-powered wearable technology – a move signaled internally last month.
The impact extends far beyond Supernatural’s user base. Meta is shuttering three highly respected VR game studios: Armature, celebrated for its immersive Resident Evil 4 VR adaptation; Sanzaru, the creators of the epic Asgard’s Wrath; and Twisted Pixel, known for the irreverent Deadpool VR.
These closures represent a significant loss of talent and creative potential within the VR gaming landscape. The studios were at the forefront of pushing the boundaries of what was possible in virtual reality, delivering experiences that captivated players and showcased the technology’s promise.
The dismantling of these projects and teams underscores a fundamental reassessment of Meta’s future. The once-dominant vision of a fully realized Metaverse is giving way to a new focus, one centered on integrating artificial intelligence into everyday wearable devices.
