Report: Meta's Ambitions in Virtual Reality Diminish

SadaNews - Meta has begun a major reduction in its virtual reality sector, laying off more than a thousand employees within its Reality Labs unit, a move that reflects a clear shift in the company's priorities, which will have immediate repercussions felt by virtual reality gaming enthusiasts.

According to media reports, the cuts have affected teams responsible for developing some of the most popular virtual reality games, at a time when Meta is redirecting its investments away from costly metaverse bets toward artificial intelligence, wearable devices, and mobile-focused experiences.

Closure of Studios and Disappearance of Big Names

These changes have not been confined to numbers. Meta has closed studios that developed notable games such as Resident Evil 4 on Quest and Marvel’s Deadpool VR, a clear indication of the rapid scaling back of internal game development, according to a report published by "digitaltrends" that was reviewed by "Al Arabiya Business".

According to a report from Bloomberg, the layoffs within Reality Labs are part of a resource reallocation.

An "Engadget" report also pointed to an internal memo from CTO Andrew Bosworth, emphasizing that wearable devices, particularly AI-supported Ray-Ban smart glasses, have become a higher priority.

What Does This Mean for Quest Users?

For Quest headset owners, the reduction of internal gaming teams may result in fewer exclusive game releases and longer wait times between major titles, with greater uncertainty about the type of projects that Meta will fund in the future.

Unlike in previous years, big games are no longer a key tool for driving users to purchase new Quest devices.

While Reality Labs continues to exist as an umbrella for virtual and mixed reality endeavors, it is now required to achieve faster results and with smaller budgets.

Losses Pressure Decisions

The financial background plays a crucial role in this shift. Reality Labs has incurred losses exceeding $70 billion since 2020 without recording any profits to date, making it difficult to justify large budgets for games that require years of development, even if they achieve critical acclaim.

Additionally, Meta currently has no plans to launch a new generation close to Quest 3, which weakens the traditional link between new devices and strong exclusive titles.

Where is Meta Heading?

Although Meta confirms that virtual reality is still part of its strategy, VR games are no longer at the forefront.

Observers expect the next phase to focus on ports, updates, and smaller experiences instead of large, long-term projects.

The clearest indicator will be how Meta discusses games during the upcoming announcements for its devices.

If features related to artificial intelligence and practical applications overshadow the showcasing of new major games, it clearly reflects where the company sees its growth future.

Until the picture becomes clearer, experts advise users to purchase virtual reality devices based on what is available now, rather than on promises or potential titles in the future.