Meta says it’s ushering in “a new era for Mixed Reality,” as the tech company announced today that it is teaming up with ASUS to create a new third-party gaming headset.
In a blog post, Meta revealed that ASUS’ Republic of Gamers (ROG) brand will create a third-party gaming headset that runs Meta’s new hardware ecosystem, Horizon OS. However, Meta did not share any further details on the headset.
“We’ve been inspired by the incredible gaming community that has formed around virtual and mixed reality, and we know that the most passionate gamers want high-performance hardware,” ASUS co-CEO S.Y. Hsu wrote. “With Meta Horizon OS, ASUS and Republic of Gamers will build the gaming headset of the next generation.”
Meta also revealed similar partnerships with Xbox and Lenovo. The former is making a “limited edition Meta Quest, inspired by Xbox.” Though the description seems rather vague, it appears it’ll be an Xbox-themed reskin of the Meta Quest 3. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg revealed in an Instagram post that this particular headset “comes out of the box with Xbox controllers and Game Pass.” In contrast, Lenovo is working on a new headset focused on “productivity, learning, and entertainment.”
Beyond the new hardware initiatives, Meta also talked about some changes to the software side. First, it revealed that the Meta Quest Store will be renamed the Meta Horizon Store and that it will house a section for App Lab; previously, Meta operated two separate Quest storefronts, with App Lab hosting experimental and/or still-in-development apps.
Interestingly, Meta revealed it was loosening up its policies with the goal that a more open OS for its hardware ecosystem will make it easier for Quest owners to access content from other storefronts such as Steam. Meta also encouraged Google to bring its Google Play store to Quest headsets, saying that the company “can operate with the same economic model it does on other platforms.”
The announcement comes as Meta continues on the path to try and be a frontrunner in the mixed reality and metaverse markets. It began shifting its focus after it rebranded its parent company name from Facebook, Inc. to Meta in 2021. The shift also came after it dominated the VR market over the last few years, thanks in part to the Quest headsets, specifically the Quest 2.
Taylor is a Reporter at IGN. You can follow her on Twitter @TayNixster.
