Microsoft shuts down AltspaceVR

Source: Microsoft

As Microsoft laid off over 10,000 workers across the company, one of the divisions impacted is its mixed reality arm. And one of the results is the shutdown of its social virtual reality platform, AltspaceVR. The company acquired the platform back in 2017, but now it meets its end on March 10. According to Microsoft, it will help the company shift focus "to support immersive experiences powered by Microsoft Mesh." Users of AltspaceVR can download their data before the shutdown.

AltspaceVR was one of the first social VR experiences in 2015, but it shut down in 2017 due to financial issues. Microsoft bought the platform to build its own mixed-reality ecosystem. As The Verge pointed out, Microsoft is reexamining its mixed reality ambitions. It's been reported that the team working on the open-source Mixed Reality Toolkit has been laid off along with the AltspaceVR team.

Canadian Reviewer Weekly Roundup - 1/15- 1/21

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Crystal Dynamics to discontinue 'Marvel's Avengers' in Sept.

Crystal Dynamics to discontinue 'Marvel's Avengers' in Sept.

Source: Crystal Dynamics

Marvel's Avengers is nearing its end. Developer Crystal Dynamics announced it'll discontinue support for the game on September 30. This means digital purchases won't be available then. The solo content and multiplayer experience will still be playable after support ends. But the developer has no plans to release any new stories, features, or Heroes. 

There will be a final balance update on March 31. After that, Crystal Dynamics will turn off the cosmetics marketplace, and you can't buy credits anymore. Credit balances will be converted into in-game resources. And all cosmetics will be available for free.

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Instagram expands the functionality of its "not interested" button

Source: Instagram

Aside from rolling out Quiet Mode, Instagram has also expanded on its "not interested" button. The feature lets you flag certain types of content you don't want to see. The platform will now let you hide more than one piece of content on the Explore page. You can now add a list of words, hashtags, or emojis to avoid in the captions of recommended content. It works similarly to how the app already lets you hide DMs with words you don't want to see.

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