Meta Needs to Enhance Its Store to Better Support Developers

There’s quite a stir among VR developers lately as they find it increasingly challenging to get their games noticed on the Quest platform, prompting many to call on Meta for action – fearing their ventures might face existential threats otherwise. Let’s dive into the core complaints, potential solutions, and why this conversation is crucial.

The Merging of App Lab

The Problem

I’ve long been critical of how the Meta Store’s curation process segregates indie developers into a secondary category known as "App Lab." It never seemed fair to classify developers as either Class A or Class B when, ideally, everyone should get an equal shot at showcasing their games to the community, hoping for that big break into stardom. So, when App Lab was merged into the main Quest Horizon Store, I was thrilled.

However, the transition hasn’t been smooth. It seems the Horizon Store wasn’t quite prepared for this influx. App Lab had its charm with some unique indie games, but also its fair share of lackluster content. Post-merge, users have expressed frustration, finding their store homepage cluttered with subpar shovelware, and others have been inundated with ho-hum recommendations. I’ll never forget someone mentioning that they got a suggestion for a game named "Orilla Tag," which is a blatant knockoff of the popular Gorilla Tag. It makes you wonder if there are other clones like "Rilla Tag" or "Illa Tag," falling into ridiculousness with "G". Clearly, the recommendation algorithm isn’t doing its job right, as it’s promoting content nobody’s clamoring to play instead of pushing the indie darlings that deserve the spotlight.

Amidst this, the Search Engine also poses a significant issue. Typing in partial names doesn’t reliably pull up desired results, sometimes not showing the game at all or burying it among unrelated entries. This is a huge setback for developers when potential players can’t locate a game they glimpsed in a passing YouTube video and only faintly recall its name. That’s a missed opportunity for sales.

A Possible Solution

To tackle the search debacle, Meta needs to prioritize fixing this glitch. Effective search algorithms are no mystery these days. With Meta’s resources, they can surely elevate this to the top of their agenda and resolve it.

The recommendation system, however, harkens back to the old Gear VR days when people received bizarre notifications like, “Since you enjoyed Arizona Sunshine, try out Hello Kitty Word 2000,” which became a laughable meme on Reddit. It’s about time to address this conundrum comprehensively. Fixing the recommendation mechanic isn’t as straightforward, though.

There isn’t a one-size-fits-all strategy for suggesting content to users. What weighs more – content type (action vs adventure), duration (short vs long), user reviews, or a user’s previous activity? The algorithm must amalgamate these aspects to yield meaningful recommendations. While complex, a tech powerhouse like Meta, especially being an AI frontrunner (just think of Llama models), should be capable of surmounting this challenge.

A broader hurdle looms in blending certified quality games with undiscovered gems. A naive solution would be to flood the store with every game and highlight only those from respected developers. However, this could inadvertently sidelining small indie teams – reminiscent of the App Lab days. Instead, a balance could be struck: on a personalized homepage, mix known high-quality games (like Batman: Arkham Shadow, Gorilla Tag, Max Mustard) with a few intriguing under-the-radar titles. The system should monitor these lesser-known games’ engagement metrics; those performing well should ascend the rankings, while less favored ones gradually fade from top listings, even if they originate from big-name developers. Such an approach lets user interactions determine a game’s rise, reinforcing that merit accrues attention.

The Visibility of Horizon Worlds

The Problem

Meta has long aimed to nail a stellar social VR app. Their latest contender, Horizon Worlds, hailed as the pinnacle of social VR, launched with much fanfare but failed to claim major success. Competitors like VRChat and Rec Room consistently pulled larger audiences, positioning Meta – a social media titan – as unable to crack the social VR code. Not one to back down, Meta poured resources into Horizon, aiming to rule social XR since it garners extensive user data. This fervor means Horizon Worlds is seemingly everywhere. Try launching the Meta Horizon app on your smartphone, and you’re greeted almost exclusively by Horizon Worlds, sidelining other apps. Even on a Quest headset, the initial “Horizon Feed” proposes a mix of games, Horizon destinations, and unrelated YouTube videos. Search results, too, mix games with Horizon destinations. At the latest Meta Connect, Meta flaunted a redesigned Quest interface, unsurprisingly emphasizing quick Horizon Worlds access…

Managers at Meta pushing ambitious user targets for Horizon by year-end seem keen to assert this by embedding Horizon Worlds prominently within user interfaces. However, this tactic inconveniences developers and users alike. As a user, the app serves more as a Horizon Worlds and Avatar facilitator than a platform for acquiring or configuring games, frustrating anyone eager to engage with the vast store offerings. From a developer’s perspective, competing against high-priority Horizon Worlds listings diminishes a game’s spotlight within the ecosystem. Some developers even lament that users gravitate towards lackluster free Horizon knockoffs over genuine paid creations in the Meta Store.

Legal concerns could also arise. Although I’m not a legal expert, the preferential treatment Horizon Worlds enjoys might backfire. Competitive social VR platforms like VRChat deserve equal footing, and the EU’s Digital Markets Act scrutinizes tech giants leveraging their platforms to advantage proprietary products. If I were Meta, I’d tread cautiously considering potential antitrust scrutiny.

A Possible Solution

I propose revamping the Meta Horizon app’s design to prioritize ease of use, enriching stores’ visibility, and mirroring these improvements across platforms, including the Quest runtime and web store. Removing Horizon Worlds results from store searches could be imperative. If people seek a Horizon World, they should navigate within the dedicated app – akin to Windows suggesting Roblox worlds instead of Microsoft Word creations, which would be baffling.

If Meta remains adamant about promoting social VR, perhaps a “Featured Worlds” section could showcase a curated collection of noteworthy social experiences, whether from Horizon Worlds, Rec Room, or VRChat. Such a segment could aid users in discovering intriguing social content without overshadowing the broader Quest app marketplace.

Meta should contemplate whether Horizon Worlds aligns with current VR desires. Forcing a product doesn’t speak well of its natural appeal, especially when even lesser visibility fails to surpass competitors. Unlike Chrome, which dominated due to inherent quality when introduced, Horizon Worlds remains less favored. If Meta truly reflects on this, perhaps they could reassess their approach rationally.

The Store Cut

The Problem

Meta continues to claim a hefty 30% cut from all transactions in the Store. For small developers striving to keep afloat, this fee represents a significant burden.

A Possible Solution

I realize the complexity and costs that come with overseeing a store, and Meta’s reliance on Store revenue to offset hardware subsidies. Thus, eradicating these fees isn’t viable.

Nonetheless, compromises might exist. Possible options could include a store fee reduction during a fledgling company’s initial period or a lower percentage for products under a given sales threshold.

For those pondering why Meta should support smaller developers when they can snag blockbuster titles like Asgard’s Wrath 2 or Batman: Arkham Shadow, remember that while major games elevate a platform, indie innovation sustains its vigor. Many VR sensations started within indie studios – consider Beat Saber or Gorilla Tag as prime examples. Meta needs its developers content, and that means ensuring their financial sustainability. If they receive a proper slice of the pie as thanks for wrapping their brains around captivating projects, it elevates everyone’s experience. Should developers feel sidelined, poor press and emigration from the platform will follow, leaving Quest’s ecosystem barren.

Some might question where developers would go in absence of Quest’s reach. While no current alternatives parallel it, fast-forward a few years, and platforms like Apple and Google stores may offer more enticing prospects. Meanwhile, various avenues within XR, including enterprise applications, beckon, or developers could pivot to general 3D content or the growing AI sector. Several colleagues have transitioned, recommending I do the same. We developers have choices, and our continued association with VR stems primarily from sheer devotion.

Closing Remarks

Don’t misinterpret my sentiments. I deeply appreciate Meta’s contributions to XR, notably launching the Quest headset, which has fostered a sustainable VR ecosystem for developers. But teamwork remains vital for XR’s flourishing, necessitating mutual encouragement to realize success. This involves Meta assisting our endeavors even at the cost of eschewing spotlight domination over self-promotion, thereby generating long-term benefits for all stakeholders, including Meta itself. My hope is we converge on this path.

• Note: This blog includes advertisements and affiliate links to ensure its sustainability. By clicking on these links, you support the site with a small commission. Full disclosure available here.