AltspaceVR is shutting down as Microsoft's mixed reality division shrinks - The Verge

Microsoft volition unopen down AltspaceVR, the societal virtual world (VR) level it acquired successful 2017 (via VentureBeat), connected March 10th, 2023. The institution shared the quality in a blog post conscionable days aft it announced occupation cuts affecting 10,000 workers, stating the determination volition assistance displacement absorption “to enactment immersive experiences powered by Microsoft Mesh.”

AltspaceVR emerged arsenic 1 of the precise archetypal societal VR experiences successful 2015 alongside different platforms similar VRChat and Rec Room. While the startup astir unopen down successful 2017 owed to fiscal issues, Microsoft scooped up the platform arsenic portion of its efforts to physique retired its ain mixed-reality ecosystem. Microsoft says users can download their data from AltspaceVR earlier the shutdown.

“We look guardant to what is to come, including our motorboat of Microsoft Mesh, a caller level for transportation and collaboration, starting by enabling workplaces astir the world,” AltspaceVR writes successful its announcement. “In the near-term, we are focusing our VR efforts connected workplace experiences, learning from and alongside our aboriginal customers and partners, and ensuring we present a instauration that enables security, spot and compliance. Over time, we anticipation to widen to user acquisition a[s] well.”