In a recent developer update, VRChat announced that it will no longer support the original Quest VR headset model. This decision was made in preparation for Meta dropping support for the device’s SDK, which could potentially make the application unstable. As a result, VRChat cannot securely provide an optimized platform or adequate customer assistance for the original Quest device. This move will take effect on June 30, 2023.
Despite this development, users can still use the original Quest device with Quest Link, Virtual Desktop, ALVR, or other tethering methods. However, PCVR streaming applications for the original Quest may face optimization issues. VRChat encourages users to upgrade to newer models, such as Quest 2 or Pro.
This announcement comes after the closure of another popular Metaverse platform, AltSpace VR, which was shut down by its owners, Microsoft, earlier this year. Contrarily, Meta, the parent company of VRChat, is diverting its resources and fans towards its more recent Quest 2 and Pro portfolio.
Meta officially declared the halt of support for Quest 1 on March 5, 2023, as they plan to concentrate on their new Meta Quest 2 and Pro variants. However, they remain committed to supporting the community of Quest 1 users. According to their announcement, Meta will continue supporting the headset with a few changes and will still provide critical bug fixes and security patches until 2024. Users can still access their bought VR applications, but they lost access to Meta Horizon and features such as creating parties, inviting others to a Home immersive environment, and visiting someone else’s Home.
The Meta Quest 2 and Pro are the company’s more recent offerings, with the Quest Pro being a high-end device aimed at changing the future of work. The Quest Pro features several high-end features such as a Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2+ processor, pancake optics, hand/face/eye-tracking, stylus Quest Pro controllers, TruTouch haptics, 75 percent greater contrast than Quest 2, and a movement SDK to support full-motion avatars.
On the other hand, the Quest 2 still remains an affordable, popular, and dependable option. Despite being released in October 2020, it still is one of the most widely used VR headsets. It offers a high-resolution display, comfortable design, and access to a broad range of games and immersive services. Furthermore, the Quest 2 is a popular choice for developers who create enterprise-grade immersive applications.
To conclude, despite this decision by VRChat and Meta to drop support for the original Quest device, users still have many options to access VR games and immersive platforms. As companies continue to innovate and upgrade their products, consumers can expect even more exciting developments in the VR world.
