But some of the “multiple, larger projects” Epic Games has in the works remain undisclosed, we’re told.

Facebook, too, claims the metaverse is the next big gambit for social networking, with CEO Mark Zuckerberg having described it as an “embodied internet that you’re inside of rather than just looking at.”ģ/6 The metaverse vision and products we’re working on at are also about shared experiences, but in a more rich form than 2D video - one that's better positioned to shape the next generation of the internet.Īn Epic Games spokesperson tells TechCrunch the Houseparty team has worked on (and continues to work on) a number of other projects that focus on social. The “metaverse” is an increasingly used buzzword that references a shared virtual environment, like those provided by large-scale online gaming platforms such as Fortnite, Roblox and others. The company’s announcement hinted that those social features would be designed and built at the “metaverse scale.” While none of the Houseparty team members are being let go as a result of this move, we’re told, they will be joining other teams where they will work on new ways to allow for “social interactions” across the Epic Games family of products. That said, all Epic Games would say today is that the Houseparty team could no longer give the app the attention it required - a statement that indicates an executive decision to shift the team’s focus to other matters. But the reality is that Epic Games may have something larger in store beyond just video chat. The company didn’t offer any solid insight into what, at first glance, feels like an admission of failure to capitalize on its acquisition.

Now, just over two years after the acquisition was announced, and less than half a year since support for livestreaming was added to the app, Houseparty is shutting down. 8 investors discuss social gaming’s biggest opportunities

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