Recently, Microsoft announced that it would be sunsetting social VR pioneer AltspaceVR. AltspaceVR first launched in 2013, quickly becoming one of the most popular virtual reality (VR) experiences. The service offered unique ways to interact with friends and others online in a fun and immersive environment.
Microsoft acquired AltspaceVR back in 2017 and the company has since been a platform for VR social events and providing users with a variety of ways to virtually hang out with their friends. As of now, AltspaceVR will be closed on August 3rd, 2020.
In its official statement, Microsoft said that the decision to close AltspaceVR was part of a broader vision of investing in creating social VR experiences with its platform. The company also explored different ways to help AltspaceVR continue to thrive, but ultimately determined that the best course of action was to sunset the service.
AltspaceVR was an incredible experience for many users and provided a platform for many different activities, from general socializing to gaming, karaoke and more. Although it was a popular platform and was used by a great number of virtual reality enthusiasts, Microsoft said in its statement that the company was unable to make the service financially profitable over the long term.
It’s a shame to see AltspaceVR go, but Microsoft’s decision to sunset the service will give them more resources to continue investing in other projects that have the potential to be more successful. Microsoft is already investing big in the virtual reality space, recently releasing the HoloLens 2 headset, with plans to move into augmented reality and mixed reality spaces.
This move will also provide more of an opportunity for other virtual reality platforms to gain more users. There are plenty of great social VR experiences out there, and many of them will benefit from Microsoft’s decision to shut down AltspaceVR.
Microsoft’s decision to sunset AltspaceVR may have disappointed many virtual reality enthusiasts, but it is ultimately part of the company’s strategic vision in the space and will enable them to invest in even better social VR experiences.
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