Metaverse — Weekly News Digest (2025-11-05 to 2025-11-12, JST)
John: Hi folks, John here! Welcome to our weekly Metaverse digest, where we break down the talk of the virtual world — from XR headsets and VR games to AI avatars, mixed reality, and digital economies. This week, we’ve got new game launches, XR milestones, major software upgrades, and some big moves in social VR and developer contests. All info is grounded in official news and expert sources — no fakes, no fluff! If you’d like a simple starter guide to crypto exchanges, take a look at this beginner-friendly overview.
Lila: Hi everyone, it feels like there’s something new every day — XR headsets, buzz about the “most-used VR device,” and more immersive games. John, what’s made the biggest splash this week?
Top Stories & XR Launches
John: The most-talked about headline nearly everywhere this week: Meta Quest 3 has officially become the most-used VR headset on Steam as of November 8, 2025. For context, Quest 3 launched in 2023 and gained steady ground, so hitting the top spot means more players than ever are using it for desktop VR, not just standalone play. This matters because it signals mass adoption for affordable, all-in-one headsets — a clear demand for accessible, wireless VR experiences and cross-platform play[4].
Lila: Does that mean VR gaming is more mainstream now?
John: We’re not at “mainstream like mobile phones” yet, but we’re closer. More games, better access, and bigger sales are helping — plus the userbase keeps growing every quarter.
Lila: Any major new hardware updates?
John: While there’s no new Quest hardware, Xbox Limited Editions have been restocked, and the 256GB Quest 3S bundle with Batman Arkham Shadow remains a favorite as of November 10, 2025. Black Friday discounts are starting to appear, with official Meta refurbished Quest 3S units at about $200 in the UK market — and expect more worldwide as November 28 approaches[3][5].
Major Game Launches & Events
Lila: What’s just released for XR and virtual worlds?
John: Quite a line-up! The biggest new title is “Hotel Infinity”, launching November 13, 2025, for Meta Quest 2, 3, and 3S. Made by the creators of Manifold Garden, it’s a room-scale puzzler with reality-warping environments. Why it matters: high buzz and critical attention, great to showcase what new room-scale VR can do[2][4].
Lila: Is that the only big release?
John: Not at all! Here are some highlights, all verified releases between November 5–11, 2025:
- Laser Dance (Early Access, Nov 6, 2025): A mixed reality game for Quest 3 and 3S with true room-scale physical play, challenging players to dodge lasers in their real space[6].
- Arken Age (Now on Quest 3, Nov 5, 2025): Previously on PSVR2 and PC VR, now bringing its epic single-player combat experience to more headsets[4].
- Little Critters (Nov 7, 2025): Mixed reality defense game where players fortify their real-life room against waves of cartoonish critters, available for Quest 3[4].
- Other new Quest games this week include Rhypunch (Nov 10), Lunar Chrono (Nov 9), and BowlRush (Nov 7)[1].
Lila: Is there a way to check if these games are safe or legit?
John: Absolutely. Check for:
- Official store listing (like Meta’s, Steam, or PlayStation stores).
- Reviews from trusted sources (e.g., The Verge, RoadToVR).
- Dev or publisher announcements (on company blogs or X).
- Community buzz — but filter out obvious sponsored hype!
Social & Mixed Reality: Platform Updates
Lila: What about VR social worlds or apps?
John: Big news: VRChat just moved out of beta and is now officially available on both Android and iOS as of November 8, 2025. That’s huge because it means way more people can join VR worlds via their phones, not just headsets — which is a leap for cross-device interoperability and community building[4].
Lila: Will my old VRChat account work everywhere?
John: Yes, your account syncs across devices. Just log in on your phone, headset, or desktop — your friends and avatars carry over (that’s platform interoperability in action: it means the same identity across apps and hardware).
Lila: Any interesting XR features coming soon?
John: Meta rolled out a Horizon OS update (v81) this week, with a rebuilt customizable Home environment, tighter Windows 11 desktop support for remote work, and easier access to the Horizon Worlds social space[4]. This makes it simpler to personalize your VR space and hop into social events directly.
Developer & Creator Ecosystem
Lila: Are there new opportunities for creators?
John: Meta launched a Horizon Start developer competition on November 8, 2025 — offering a $1.5 million prize pool. The focus: innovative, casual, or social XR projects, especially in gaming, fitness, or productivity. Submissions are open until December 9, so if you like building in Unity or Unreal, this is your shot[4][5].
Lila: What’s the best way to submit or follow this?
John: Follow official announcements on the Meta Quest developer blog and the Horizon Start website. Always use the official form and check guidelines before submitting. And remember, any project with tokens or virtual assets must comply with your local laws!
Upcoming: Showcases, Roadmaps, and Cautions
Lila: Is there a big event or game reveal soon?
John: Yes — the VR Games Showcase, in partnership with Road to VR, is set for November 13, 2025. Expect dozens of new game trailers, surprise announcements, and content roadmaps for all major XR platforms (Quest, PSVR2, PC VR)[4][7]. These events often preview the next 6–12 months, so it’s perfect for anyone planning their holiday wish list!
Lila: Any upcoming games I should know about?
John: Watch out for Thief VR: Legacy of Shadow (all headsets, December 4, 2025) and RoboQuest VR (coming to Quest in early 2026, but Steam & PSVR2 on November 20, 2025)[4][5][7]. These highlight the industry’s focus on both action-packed and genre-expanding VR content.
Lila: How do I keep my assets and games safe?
- Only buy from official stores or authorized sellers.
- Enable account security (2FA, strong passwords).
- Before joining social or crypto-adjacent worlds, check for updated privacy policies.
- Regulatory requirements for digital assets and crypto differ by region; always check official guidance before participating.
Looking Ahead
John: The past week confirms that XR and the Metaverse are evolving quickly — platforms are getting easier, games are more immersive, and social VR is bridging the gap with mobile and PC. Whether you’re playing, building, or just exploring, there’s more to try every week. And if you’d like a bit more background on exchanges, you might enjoy this global guide.
Lila: Every update feels like a sneak peek into the future — things move so fast! Can’t wait to see what’s next, and thanks for making it all so clear, John.
This article was created based on publicly available, verified sources. References:
- Meta Quest 3 News & Reviews – Road to VR
- Meta Quest Platform – Release Date Announcement Trailer
- Black Friday Meta Quest deals 2025 – GamesRadar
- New Games on Meta Quest – Metacritic
- Laser Dance Early Access Review – UploadVR
- New Quest Features Coming Soon, INSANE Headset Discounts – SteveKnows (YouTube)
- NEW VR GAMES COMING NEXT WEEK (Quest 3, PSVR 2, PCVR) – Rhys Da King VR (YouTube)
- Forefront – Quest VR Games – Meta Store