Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has announced the launch of a new subscription-based service for its virtual reality (VR) division. Named ‘Meta Quest+’, this VR subscription is priced at $7.99 per month or $59.99 per year and is compatible with Meta’s Quest 2, Quest Pro, and the upcoming Quest 3 VR headsets.
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Subscribers to the Meta Quest+ service will receive two hand-picked VR titles each month, allowing them to gradually build a diverse collection of games over time. As long as users maintain their monthly or yearly subscription, the titles will remain accessible in their game library. The introduction of this VR subscription comes at a critical juncture for Meta, as it faces stiff competition from Apple, which recently launched the Apple Vision Pro and poses a threat to Meta’s market share in the VR industry.
The emergence of a dominant player like Apple or any other major technology company in the VR space could potentially impact Meta’s public image and financial prospects. This concern led Meta to undergo a significant rebranding in 2021, changing its name from ‘Facebook’ to ‘Meta,’ to signify its dedication to virtual reality and the development of the ‘metaverse.’
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg expressed his vision for the company, stating, “Over time, I hope that we are seen as a metaverse company, and I want to anchor our work and our identity on what we’re building towards.”
While Meta finds itself in direct competition with Apple, it currently holds an advantage in terms of pricing. The Apple Vision Pro is priced at a substantial $3,499, whereas Meta’s Quest headsets are available in the market at prices ranging from $299.99 to $999.99. However, both companies have a long way to go as the virtual reality industry, similar to artificial intelligence, is still in its early stages, with numerous opportunities and unexplored areas.
As Meta expands its VR offerings with the Meta Quest+ subscription service, it aims to solidify its position in the evolving virtual reality landscape while contending with fierce competition from tech giants like Apple.
