Meta Reality Labs Layoffs: AI Pivot Leaves Supernatural VR Fans in the Dust

The dream of the metaverse is hitting a cold, hard wall. According to Bloomberg, Meta has laid off more than 1,000 employees across its Reality Labs division this week. The most painful casualty of this shift is the premier VR fitness platform Supernatural, which will no longer receive updates, effectively freezing the service in time.

The AI Pivot: Meta Reality Labs Layoffs Hit Home

Meta's decision to gut its VR talent isn't just a cost-cutting measure; it's a strategic realignment toward Artificial Intelligence. Resources are being funneled into the Meta AI platform and the development of next-gen smart glasses under the Ray-Ban and Oakley brands. Along with the team at Supernatural, Meta shuttered three internal VR studios, including those behind major titles like Resident Evil 4 VR.

A $100 Ghost Town: The Future of Supernatural VR

Since its release in 2020, Supernatural built a fiercely loyal following. Users credit the app with life-changing health improvements and social connections via the 'Together' mode launched in September 2024. Now, those users are being told that while their $100 annual subscription price won't drop, no new songs or workout lessons will be added.

Meta acquired Supernatural in 2022 after a protracted legal battle with the FTC. For many 'athletes'—as the users call themselves—the move feels heartless. They argue that while the library of 3,000 lessons is vast, the lack of fresh content makes the subscription a hard pill to swallow.