The adult industry has long been at the forefront of innovation and adoption when it comes to emerging technologies such as virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR). One area where this is particularly evident is in the realm of VR fitness games, which have seen significant growth in recent years. However, a recent development involving Meta's acquisition of Within, the studio behind popular VR fitness game Supernatural, has sparked both excitement and concern within the industry.
Meta's attempt to pioneer a metaverse and make VR cool totally flopped, except for one shining diamond in the rough: Supernatural, a VR fitness game that made working out feel fun and accessible. Now, users can rejoice that Supernatural isn’t shutting down after all. The game's original founders are leading the new venture, preserving its coaches and identity.
What Happened
In 2023, Meta acquired Within, the studio behind Supernatural, in a deal reportedly worth around $400 million. However, just two years later, Meta laid off much of its VR team and announced that it would stop adding new content to Supernatural entirely. This decision was met with widespread criticism from the game's dedicated community, who felt that Meta had effectively "killed" the game.
However, in a surprising turn of events, Meta has now agreed to spin off Supernatural into an independent company called Supernatural Health, which will be run by the original founders. This decision is seen as a rare moment of mercy from Meta, and one that reflects a shared belief that Supernatural's community is best served by a focused, independent team.
Background and Context
The acquisition of Within by Meta was initially contested by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which argued that the deal would stifle competition in the nascent VR fitness market. However, Meta ultimately won the lawsuit, and the deal went through. The FTC's concerns about Meta's dominance in the VR market are still relevant today, particularly given the company's recent decision to spin off Supernatural.
Supernatural was a breakout VR fitness sensation when it first launched, offering users a unique and engaging way to work out. However, since Meta took over, the game has seen significant declines in support and new features. This has led many fans to feel that Meta's acquisition of Within was simply a way for the company to acquire a popular VR fitness game without having to invest heavily in its development.
Why it Matters to the Industry
The decision by Meta to spin off Supernatural into an independent company is significant not just for the game's community, but also for the wider adult industry. The move reflects a growing trend towards decentralization and independence within the tech industry, where companies are increasingly looking to break free from the shackles of big tech.
This development has important implications for the adult industry, which has long been at the forefront of innovation and adoption when it comes to emerging technologies such as VR and AR. As the industry continues to evolve and grow, it will be interesting to see how companies like Meta respond to changing market conditions and consumer demands.
What Comes Next
The future of Supernatural is now in the hands of its original founders, who are leading the new venture as an independent company. The team has promised to continue developing new content for the game, and to preserve its coaches and identity. This decision is seen as a rare moment of mercy from Meta, and one that reflects a shared belief that Supernatural's community is best served by a focused, independent team.
As the industry continues to evolve and grow, it will be interesting to see how companies like Meta respond to changing market conditions and consumer demands. The decision to spin off Supernatural into an independent company is a significant development, and one that reflects a growing trend towards decentralization and independence within the tech industry.
Key Facts
- Meta acquired Within, the studio behind Supernatural, in 2023 for around $400 million.
- The acquisition was initially contested by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which argued that the deal would stifle competition in the nascent VR fitness market.
- Just two years after acquiring Within, Meta laid off much of its VR team and announced that it would stop adding new content to Supernatural entirely.
- Meta has now agreed to spin off Supernatural into an independent company called Supernatural Health, which will be run by the original founders.
- The new company promises to continue developing new content for the game, and to preserve its coaches and identity.
In conclusion, the decision by Meta to spin off Supernatural into an independent company is a significant development that reflects a growing trend towards decentralization and independence within the tech industry. As the adult industry continues to evolve and grow, it will be interesting to see how companies like Meta respond to changing market conditions and consumer demands.
