Meta has recently undertaken job cuts in its Reality Labs division, which focuses on developing virtual and augmented reality technologies. This reduction particularly affects personnel within Oculus Studios, responsible for creating applications and games for Meta’s Quest VR headsets, including the popular Supernatural app, a VR fitness experience that Meta acquired through its purchase of Within in 2023.
While the exact number of affected employees has not been disclosed, Meta acknowledged that adjustments in team structure and roles at Oculus Studios have led to a decrease in workforce. The company stated that these changes are designed to enhance efficiency in producing future mixed-reality experiences while still supporting the content available to current users.
The Reality Labs division has been a significant financial burden for Meta, incurring nearly $5 billion in losses during the last quarter of 2024, despite generating approximately $1 billion in revenue. Since its rebranding from Facebook, Meta has reported substantial operating losses from Reality Labs annually, highlighting the challenges the company faces in its commitment to the metaverse.
These layoffs occur just ahead of Meta’s upcoming first-quarter earnings report, where the financial implications of Reality Labs are expected to be scrutinised. In light of the layoffs, affected employees are encouraged to explore other employment opportunities within the company.
For users of the Supernatural app, the workforce reductions may lead to a decrease in the frequency of new workout offerings. However, the app promises to provide a broader range of skill levels for each workout rather than limiting users to a single difficulty level. Notably, the workout coaches will remain unaffected by these job cuts, ensuring continuity for users engaging with the app’s fitness programs.
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