The XR Weekly Insider (February 25, 2025): Niantic Considers Selling Pokemon Go, Meta Introduces $50M Horizon Worlds Creator Fund, and More!

Here’s your rewritten article, maintaining the original structure while giving it a more human touch:

Hello gamers and tech enthusiasts, it’s time for another roundup of the latest XR happenings this week!

Top News You Need to Know

Niantic is Weighing a Sale of Its Gaming Division

In a surprising twist, Bloomberg reports that Niantic is in negotiations to sell its gaming division to Saudi-owned Scopely for a whopping $3.5 billion. This could mean Pokémon Go could soon have a new home. Despite its initial hype waning, the iconic game is still a massive revenue generator. Interestingly, Niantic hasn’t been able to mirror this success with other titles, notably with its Harry Potter AR game that ended up being a misfire. You’d think they’d hold onto such a profitable venture, not to mention the treasure trove of data helping to develop their AR tech. Analysts suggest Niantic’s bold move aims to pivot towards crafting an "outdoor metaverse," essentially aiming to spearhead AR services and eventually hardware. With $3.5 billion, they could really zoom in on geospatial AR advancements. It’s a gutsy move—a high-risk, high-reward scenario where the loss of Pokémon Go’s financial safety net could be daunting. As a fan of XR, though, I see it as Niantic betting big on AR’s future, possibly banking on a surge over the next three years.

For more details, click here.

Other News Highlights

Meta Unveils $50M Fund for Horizon Worlds Creators

Meta’s throwing $50M into the ring for Horizon Worlds creators. These funds will reward developers who entice users into the metaverse with enjoyable, mobile, and mixed-reality worlds—with bonuses tied to metrics like user engagement and in-world spending. They’re also revving up their creation tools, offering a new desktop editor that channels Unity or Unreal with a dash of TypeScript programming. As a fan of all things XR, it’s heartening to see Meta putting money and resources into creator pockets. Yet, this move arrives amid developer grumbles over visibility issues on the Horizon Store. Many worry that pouring resources into Horizon Worlds might overshadow other valuable ventures.

This approach could limit funding and growth opportunities for startups or smaller teams, who might struggle to invest in world-building without guarantee of return. I see the potential for a community mirroring Roblox’s—full of youthful creators fueled by passion rather than paychecks. So, while more creator cash is positive, I think some strategic adjustments could optimize Meta’s impact.

For more on this, visit: https://skarredghost.com/2025/02/25/niantic-sells-pokemon-go-meta-fund/.

Struggles Continue in the XR World

Challenging times persist in the XR space, with developer frustrations mounting amid storefront woes. Yet, amidst the layoffs and user dissatisfaction, a few success stories manage to break through. Consider these recent highlights:

• Embracer Group conveyed to its investors that "Metro Awakening" underperformed financial expectations, although it still garnered respectable revenue and reviews.
• Toast Interactive suffered layoffs due to Quest Store discoverability issues affecting sales, despite praise for "Max Mustard."
• Schell Games shakes things up by renaming "Among Us VR" to "Among Us 3D," targeting cross-platform appeal.
• On the brighter side, 3R Games’ "Thief Simulator VR: Greenview Street" hit it big with sales, surpassing 310,000 units on Quest with potential revenues over $6 million.

Reflect on these dynamics: while trials continue, there’s enough promise in the XR realm to keep the dream alive for developers and fans alike.

Read more details: https://skarredghost.com/2025/02/25/niantic-sells-pokemon-go-meta-fund/.

Meta Confirms Connect 2025 Dates

September 17-18 are the days to mark for Meta Connect 2025. While a new Quest edition isn’t expected, smart glasses advancements and Horizon headsets updates are likely in store. Keep your eyes peeled for what Meta has tucked up its sleeves.

Find out more: https://skarredghost.com/2025/02/25/niantic-sells-pokemon-go-meta-fund/.

Mention-Worthy News

Palmer Luckey Opens Up on Military Headset

Palmer Luckey claims his military-focused headset outstrips current devices with impressive integration and features. He touts it as a leap greater than the original Oculus—a claim I can’t wait to verify when the headset debuts.

Check details here: https://skarredghost.com/2025/02/25/niantic-sells-pokemon-go-meta-fund/.

Meta’s "MR" Shift

Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth clarifies, "MR" now blankets both mixed and virtual reality. While some find this shift illogical, it aligns Meta’s brand language with Apple’s. Nonetheless, it triggers worries about focus shifts from VR content development.

Learn more: https://skarredghost.com/2025/02/25/niantic-sells-pokemon-go-meta-fund/.

Quest v74 and DisplayPort Enhancement

Quest’s latest runtime introduces DisplayPort capabilities—not for PC connection as imagined, but for high-quality external monitor casting. This development coupled with other improvements underscores Meta’s commitment to innovating in casting technologies.

Delve into full features here: https://skarredghost.com/2025/02/25/niantic-sells-pokemon-go-meta-fund/.

Exciting Gaming Announcements

Here are some thrilling gaming updates you won’t want to miss:

• Detective VR invites you to solve mysteries with MR tech.
• Silent North gears up for its multiplayer VR zombie escapade.
• Chronostrike blends co-op fun with SUPERHOT’s stylized mechanics.
• Monster Snap sets its sights on a 2026 VR launch.
• Gorilla Tag’s Orion Drift enters Early Access.
• More delightful surprises are brewing, promising to deliver immersive experiences like never before.

For all gaming insights: https://skarredghost.com/2025/02/25/niantic-sells-pokemon-go-meta-fund/.

Remember, the XR space is a whirlwind of innovation, community efforts, and fresh ideas. Each week brings its share of ups and downs, but the persistence and creativity in this domain continue to amaze. Keep exploring, keep supporting, and let’s shape the future of gaming together!

If you want to support those in need, consider donating to the Red Cross for their ongoing efforts in Ukraine.

Take care till the next update and happy gaming!