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

This past week has been a whirlwind at work, but thankfully, it’s been the kind of whirlwind that comes with excitement and opportunity. Just when I thought my plate was full, Meta’s latest move — giving developers camera access for Quest — threw another task my way. I had to dive in! Now, let’s unpack some of the most captivating XR news that’s been buzzing around this week. Stick around till the end, you might just find a tempting giveaway!

Top Highlights of the Week

Niantic’s Major Move to Scopely

In a jaw-dropping announcement, Niantic sold its entire gaming division, including the blockbuster Pokémon Go, to Scopely for $3.85 billion. Interestingly, Scopely’s parent company is tied to Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, meaning the game is now under Saudi control. Niantic is shifting gears to dedicate itself to advancing its geospatial tech by launching Niantic Spatial, starting with a $250M fund. Selling Pokémon Go, their cash cow, signals they’re going all in on XR’s future potential. It’s risky—without Pokémon Go, they’re leaping without a lifeline if AR adoption drags. Hats off to John Hanke for betting big on XR’s future; it’s a bold, all-or-nothing strategy.

Meta’s Passthrough APIs for Quest

After much anticipation, Meta has unveiled the Passthrough APIs for Quest, granting developers access to camera frames for improved MR app interaction. With this release in the SDKs for Quest and Quest 3S, and official sample projects out, the community is buzzing with new possibilities. I even penned a comprehensive guide to help developers jumpstart this exciting feature. While it’s currently an experimental feature, restricting it from the Horizon Store, this isn’t uncommon for Meta, and they usually lift such restrictions soon after.

VR Games Showcase Brings New Announcements

The latest VR Games Showcase, curated by Jamie Feltham, didn’t disappoint with its numerous thrilling updates. From the heartwarming “Stay: Forever Home” set to debut on Quest, to the much-anticipated "Hitman: World of Assassination" for PSVR 2, there are plenty of gems in the pipeline. Games like "Memoreum," promising an exciting September release on Quest, and "Slender: The Arrival VR" for PS VR2 are creating a buzz. Notably, Flat2VR Studios is ambitiously expanding with four new titles, following their success with "Trombone Champ: Unflattened." Dive into the related links for full details on these announcements!

Ultraleap’s Unexpected Sale

In a disheartening turn of events, Ultraleap has been sold off in parts. Once a trailblazer in haptics and hand tracking, it’s now a shadow of its vibrant self. A segment of its hand-tracking tech has gone to Roli, a musical instrument manufacturer, with 30 employees laid off. Meanwhile, US IP firm SIM IP has acquired its intellectual property. Ultraleap’s assets, especially those integrated in various headsets, face an uncertain future. Perhaps the company aimed too high, hoping for a manufacturer buyout before XR brands developed hand tracking internally.

Samsung and Project Moohan Controllers

A SamMobile report highlights that Samsung’s upcoming Project Moohan headset will feature proprietary motion controllers, identified by model number ET-OI610. This decision ensures that content can be easily adapted from platforms like Meta Quest, enhancing the cross-platform compatibility with Android XR — a move that could substantially expand Google’s VR content library.

Horizon Worlds’ Internal Struggles

A revealing New World Notes report uncovers why Horizon Worlds isn’t meeting Mark Zuckerberg’s ambitions. Surprisingly, many developers behind it aren’t passionate about virtual worlds, often resorting to tricks to avoid using the app themselves. The team’s background in web app development over immersive experiences has led to web-like interfaces rather than engaging virtual worlds. Despite these hurdles, Meta continues to bet on this project, raising questions about why resources aren’t redirected to enhancing the Quest ecosystem instead.

Google’s Eye-Tracking Acquisition and Valve’s Wireless Innovations

Bloomberg reports Google’s $115 million acquisition of AdHawk Microsystems, known for its non-optical eye-tracking tech employing micromirrors. This system offers privacy and power efficiency benefits, albeit less precision. Meanwhile, datamining reveals Valve is developing a “SteamVR Link Dongle,” enhancing wireless VR headset performance by providing a robust PC connection — potentially a boon for upcoming headsets like Deckard.

Micro Gestures and Immersed’s Visor Delays

In another significant update, Meta has introduced microgesture recognition in its SDK, allowing subtle finger movements for effortless MR interactions. However, the road for Immersed’s Visor remains challenging, with another delay announced for mass production. The company’s current financial situation is precarious, raising doubts about its sustainability post-launch. Clearer communication from Immersed could ease growing community concerns.

Industry Withdrawals and Experimental Tech

This week also saw Phaser Lock closing its doors due to economic pressures, alongside People Can Fly exiting the VR publishing scene, citing reduced industry investment. Amidst these challenges, two experimental tech stories caught attention — the first machine embedding living neurons with silicon, and an experiment enabling communication between two dreaming individuals.

MAGE’s Groundbreaking Physics Engine

MAGE, a physics sandbox game on Quest 3, has impressed with its custom engine delivering high framerates and detailed effects, well beyond Unity or Unreal capabilities. This over-optimized engine could revolutionize specific gaming applications if opened to other developers.

Apple’s Immersive Metallica Experience

Apple has released a Vision Pro immersive concert of Metallica, recorded in an 8K 3D video format with spatial audio. Despite mixed feedback on recording techniques, it stands as a testament to Apple’s ongoing investment in immersive content.

SXSW 2025 Recap and Major Sales

The SXSW 2025 event showcased outstanding immersive storytelling pieces, summarized excellently by Charlie Fink—highly recommended reading. On a lighter note, massive sales on VR titles on both Steam and Horizon Store make this a fantastic time to expand your virtual library, with steep discounts on iconic titles like Half-Life: Alyx.

In Content News

XR Games has teased “BEATABLE,” an upcoming rhythm game with a unique twist, while the launch of “Path of Fury — Episode I: Tetsuo’s Tower” and “Quantum Threshold” adds fresh experiences for VR enthusiasts. Exciting developments include the anticipated "RoboCop: Streets of Anarchy," though it’s restricted to arcades.

Game and Tech Reviews

Recent reviews praise the seamless hand tracking of “Waltz Of The Wizard” on PSVR 2, though with minor quirks. “Deep Cuts” indulges players’ creative impulses in movie scenes, while "Path of Fury" provides addictive beat-based combat. Meanwhile, “Mythic Realms” and "Pixel Dungeon" charm with their respective innovative gameplay elements, adding strategic layers to immersive experiences.

Industry Tidbits and XR Humor

Vicon’s new markerless motion tracking at GDC, D-Link’s Quest Air Link challenges, and Tyriel Wood’s review of the True Gear haptic suit highlight ongoing industry progress. XPANCEO’s smart contact lenses and Brendan Iribe’s debut of a praised conversational AI startup, Sesame, round off tech updates. For a lighter moment, enjoy our handpicked collection of XR humor links that never fail to bring a smile.

A Plea for Support

As we conclude, I urge your kindness and generosity toward the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Ukraine. Donations can be made to The Red Cross, assisting those in dire need. Gratitude goes out to my incredible Patreon supporters for making my work possible:

[List supporters here]

And now, to extend a helping hand:

Support The Red Cross in Ukraine

(Header image by Niantic)

Remember, your actions can make a difference in this ever-evolving digital world. Let’s continue to innovate, celebrate creativity, and offer help where it’s needed most.