US-based technology company Microsoft is stopping its activities related to virtual reality.
Metaverse is a virtual space that allows users to connect with each other outside of the real world. It uses blockchain technology, Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) to bring the virtual environment to life. Microsoft first began layoffs from its metaverse-linked subsidiary. This indicates that the company will be at odds with the metaverse for a while.
Microsoft Retires VR Products
All teams involved in Microsoft’s virtual reality and mixed reality products were reportedly removed from the organization.
The layoff, which affected a total of 10,000 employees at Microsoft, involved the entire team at metaverse company AltSpaceVR. AltSpaceVR was acquired by the computer company on undisclosed terms in 2017. According to a blog post by the company, it will shut down completely in March.
Microsoft CSO Henry Bzeih recently said that he thinks the metaverse will play an important role in customer experience. It looks like Microsoft will direct its VR energy to Microsoft Mesh, a collaboration platform that uses a lot of VR and AR technologies.