Revival of Supernatural: A Second Chance for VR Fitness
A few months ago, Meta effectively handed Supernatural, a popular VR fitness game on the Meta Quest, a death sentence. As part of overarching VR layoffs, the company announced the game would no longer get any new content, enraging its tightly knit, devoted community. However, in a surprising turn of events, Supernatural is getting a second chance. Meta announced in a community post that the game is being spun off into an independent company later this year.
Introducing Supernatural Health
The new entity will be called Supernatural Health, launching as a separate app on the Meta Horizon Store. Meta spokesperson Che’von Lewis confirmed that the original founders and coaches are behind Supernatural Health and that James Senior, previously Meta’s product leader for its Studio and New Vertical portfolios, will step in as CEO. The new app is expected to launch later this fall, accompanied by fresh content. In the meantime, Meta plans to wind down its current version of the app, and Supernatural Health will begin taking over Supernatural’s social channels and its official Facebook group. Current subscriptions will remain valid until December 3rd, and further details regarding the transition will be sent directly to subscribers.
A Controversial Acquisition
Meta’s acquisition of Supernatural in 2023 was initially contested by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), led at the time by Lina Khan. The FTC argued that Meta was attempting to monopolize the VR market, potentially decreasing competition in the future. While the case ultimately did not succeed, many disgruntled Supernatural fans expressed concerns that Meta’s ownership was the “kiss of death,” anticipating decreased product support and fewer new features.
The Community Speaks
Since Meta decided to sunset Supernatural, several fans have made their voices heard online in a bid to save the game. While fan campaigns usually face grim outcomes, there’s always hope. A recent example is Zombies, Run!, a fitness game that was revived by its original owner with new content. Additionally, smartwatch maker Pebble has seen a resurgence under its original brand name. These instances demonstrate that new life can be breathed into once-faltering products.
The Future of VR Fitness
Meta’s decision to allow Supernatural to thrive as a new, independent company highlights a crucial point: VR is not currently a top priority for the tech giant. As the virtual reality landscape continues to evolve, the success of Supernatural Health could pave the way for other games and platforms to find their own footing apart from large corporations. The ongoing commitment of the original team to this new venture brings a sense of optimism to its users.
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