Linden Lab & Magic Leap Bought, NeoVR Rises: Reader Predictions for 2020

Pic by Julienn Sands

Some really solid VR/VW 20202 predictions from readers:

NeosVR will be a success. They are now laying a solid foundation with all the tech. No big amount of active users but it's ok to focus. If the speed of development will continue the NeosVR quality will be recognized I assume. -- Rob

More about NeosVR here. Here's another:

Magic Leap will eventually be purchased by one of two companies: Facebook, or Disney. Apple will scoop up at least half of Magic Leap's patents from JP Morgan Chase. Google will stay on the fringes of XR with its mapping efforts and SLAM.  --  Joey1058 

If you're wondering why Magic Leap might be bought out, here's a post partly explaining why.

Finally, predictions around Linden Lab and High Fidelity:

By the end of next year High Fidelity will return as a closed platform with a new name and goals.

Sansar will go back into early Beta Status to preserve the work done while Linden Lab hires someone to redirect the project...

Likely in the end, Sansar will be the burden Second Life could not get past as Linden Lab prepares to put itself up for sale in another bad business move that leads to the grid being shuttered as just an IP purchase by a buyer with no plans to keep the grid running (residents are given 90 days notice of closure). -- More Censored then Ezra

Seriously skeptical Second Life would be bought and then shuttered; more likely the new owner would try and milk it for decades. Anyway, more predictions here. Got another you want to add? Post below and I may highlight it next week!

Comments

[irihapeti]

my prediction is that Augmented Passivity will be the breakout app for the masses

where the user doesn't interact - they observe. An example of this is here: https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/visit/whats-on/the-antarctica-vr-experience

over the next 5 years or so Augmented Passivity will grow to include being able to watch a film from a character's pov. Able to view a music concert from the performer's pov, etc

Augmented Passivity will then grow into being 'present' at a live event. For example, seeing a sporting event from the player/contestant's pov in real-time

[Nodoka Hanamura]

I highly doubt Linden Lab would be that desperate to keep Sansar alive, selling SL off. If they sold SL to someone I'd be furious at how stupid they are. Sansar is dead weight, and they need to pull the plug and focus on SL, the one thing that has, is, and will continue to keep them as a company afloat. I've said it before, and I'll continue to say it:

Sansar has been a failure. Linden Lab needs to pull the plug and move on, and quit trying to keep this pipe dream of a successful VR platform alive when others have taken that spot already. Even with VR, SL will be alive for long enough for Linden Lab to make a second go at it down the line. But now it's best for them to focus on what is best for the company and its' customers.