The unique Oculus Quest headset was launched in 2019, serving to kick off standalone VR headsets as a viable platform for video games and purposes. Nevertheless, Meta is about to finish full help for the mannequin that began all of it.
Meta is sending emails to homeowners of the unique Meta Quest (thanks Evan!), which was referred to as the Oculus Quest at launch, informing them about future adjustments to software program help. The corporate mentioned, “we launched Quest 1 over 4 years in the past and we’re grateful to the Quest 1 group for pushing VR ahead. As we glance to the longer term, we stay dedicated to supporting the group of Quest 1 customers and can proceed to help the headset with a couple of adjustments.”
The unique Quest will stay principally purposeful, with continued entry to apps and video games, however Meta is finished including new options. Meta Horizon Dwelling social options gained’t work beginning on March 5, 2023, so Quest 1 homeowners gained’t be capable to invite others to their dwelling or go to different houses. Creating and becoming a member of events will even break, and significant bug fixes and safety patches will solely proceed till someday in 2024.
Meta ending full help after lower than 5 years is disappointing, particularly if trendy online game consoles are thought-about the baseline. The Xbox One and PlayStation 4 are nonetheless totally supported, regardless that each consoles have been launched in 2013 — making them 9 years outdated. The Quest is predicated on {hardware} developed for Android smartphones, most of which don’t obtain main OS updates after 5 years, however many units proceed working past that time. Limiting new options to the newer headsets is comprehensible, however eradicating present social options is extra irritating.
The Quest 2 remains to be Meta’s mainstream self-contained VR headset, although the Quest Professional was launched final yr as a brand new premium choice. Each units have newer and extra highly effective {hardware} than the unique Quest.
We’ve reached out to Meta for extra details about software program help, and we’ll replace this publish once we hear again.
