MENLO PARK, CA – november 15, 2024 – meta today announced a $320,000 prize pool for developers creating content for its horizon Worlds platform, signaling continued investment in VR and mixed reality despite recent declines in Quest headset sales. The company is offering $60,000 and $50,000 to the winners of the “Most satisfying Progression System” and “Most Sharable Moments” contests,respectively,alongside $20,000 awards for multiple winners across 14 new specialized categories.
Meta: “We’re Still Investing Massively in VR Gaming And Don’t Plan To Stop”
Meta says it funded over 100 VR & mixed reality titles that shipped in 2024, as well as over 200 currently in “active production”.
This move comes as Meta navigates a shifting strategy within its Reality Labs division, responsible for VR and AR advancement. While Meta’s overall investment in VR/MR remains substantial – funding over 100 titles released in 2024 and supporting over 200 currently in development, according to Director of Games Chris Pruett – the focus is evolving. The company recently launched Deadpool VR, developed in collaboration with Marvel Games, following the release of Batman: Arkham Shadow, both exclusive to the Quest 3 headset.
The announcement is highly likely to be closely watched by VR developers who have observed a perceived decrease in Meta’s direct funding of core VR gaming experiences. A report from earlier this year detailed concerns about shifting priorities within Meta, impacting developer relationships. Andrew Bosworth, Meta’s chief Technology Officer, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to VR gaming in a statement earlier this year.
As Ray-ban Meta Sales Skyrocket, Quest Sales Are Down Again
Meta Reality Labs revenue rebounded in Q2, up 5% compared to 2024. But this was driven by the Ray-Ban Meta glasses, while quest headset sales were again down.
Recent financial reports indicate a revenue rebound for meta Reality Labs in Q2 2024, increasing by 5% compared to the previous year.Though, this growth was primarily driven by sales of the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, while Quest headset sales continued to decline. The company sold approximately 400,000 Quest headsets in Q2 2024, down from 463,000 in the same period last year, according to data from Counterpoint Research. The Ray-Ban Meta glasses, priced at $299, have seen meaningful demand, especially in the United States and Canada.
The new creator prizes and emphasis on social features suggest Meta is attempting to position Horizon Worlds as a more broadly appealing social platform, potentially aiming to compete with platforms like Roblox. The success of this strategy remains to be seen, with analysts questioning whether social media integration and financial incentives will be enough to overcome challenges in user adoption and content quality within Horizon Worlds.
