To further elaborate, Microsoft is letting go a significant number of employees engaged in VR projects as well as shuttering the AltspaceVR platform.
In Brief
Microsoft has dismissed a large segment of its workforce involved in VR, XR, and HoloLens development.
The tech giant has decided to cease operations of its social VR space, AltspaceVR, yet remains optimistic about the future of Microsoft Mesh.
While tech giants like Apple and Meta While others push forward in the metaverse, Microsoft is retrenching by letting go of its mixed reality team and phasing out AltspaceVR.
SEC filings Reports suggest that Microsoft is realigning its strategy, leading to the termination of over 10,000 jobs, which constitutes about 5% of its total workforce. Such layoffs may halt progress on HoloLens and related headset endeavors.
Just last week, Microsoft confirmed the discontinuation of AltspaceVR, a VR platform it purchased back in 2017. announced it would be shutting down On March 10, the team behind Altspace expressed that the business is transitioning to support immersive experiences driven by Microsoft Mesh.
The decision to cut the crew responsible for the Mixed Reality Tool Kit (MRTK), a collaborative effort to create mixed reality applications for Unity, was also part of the layoffs. A new MRTK release was scheduled for next month but has now been scrapped.
Microsoft’s move to dissolve its VR and MRTK divisions could imply a diminishing confidence in the metaverse's potential. Conversely, the company is prioritizing its development of Microsoft Mesh as its key VR venture.
Last October, the tech company The incorporation of tailored avatars and artificial intelligence functionalities into the video conferencing platform, Teams, is part of the broader Microsoft Mesh vision, which aims to foster shared immersive experiences. Please keep in mind that the information provided here is not intended as legal, tax, investment, or financial advice. It's wise to only invest what you can afford to lose and seek independent financial counsel if you have concerns. For comprehensive details, we recommend checking the terms of service and support resources available from the issuer or advertiser. At MetaversePost, we strive for accuracy and objectivity in our reporting, but market conditions may change without prior notification.
Microsoft has also recently extended its partnership with OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT.
Disclaimer
In line with the Trust Project guidelines Agne is a dedicated journalist who focuses on the latest trends in the metaverse, artificial intelligence, and Web3 for Metaverse Post. A storyteller at heart, she’s conducted numerous interviews with experts in these fields, always on the lookout for compelling narratives. She holds a Bachelor's degree in literature and has a rich writing history covering diverse topics including travel, art, and culture. Additionally, she has volunteered as an editor for an animal rights organization, advocating for animal welfare. Feel free to reach out to her at
