Meta’s attempt to pioneer the metaverse and make VR cool failed completely. A single shining diamond, Supernatural is a VR fitness game that makes working out fun and accessible. Now users can rejoice that Supernatural isn’t ending after all.
Meta went through the hassle of an eight-month antitrust battle to acquire Within, the game studio behind Supernatural, in 2023. The deal was reportedly worth about $400 million, and the cost of fighting and winning the FTC lawsuit was significant. But after all that effort, Meta laid off most of its VR team and announced that it would stop adding new content just a few years later.
But in a rare moment of mercy, Mehta listened to supernatural users protesting the app’s sad fate. About five months later, Meta has now spun off the Supernatural team into a new, independent company called Supernatural Health, which will acquire the app later this year.
“Supernatural is being reborn. Same coaches, same DNA, same obsession with making fitness feel like the best part of your day — now, under a new, independent company, we’re starting from scratch,” Supernatural Health says on its website.
Who is behind Supernatural Health? Of course, the same goes for the original founders.
Although it is a happy ending, it is bitter. This is the same rule as a high school student professing his undying love for his crush with an elaborate prom, then having a tense dinner with his date’s parents to prove they have good intentions, but breaking up right after the dance.
“We are grateful for the platform and resources provided by Meta during this important phase of growth,” Supernatural Health wrote. “This transition reflects our shared belief that Supernatural’s community is best served by a focused, independent team, and Meta has been supportive throughout.”
I’m going to tear my hair out about how stupid this whole situation is. But at least I know that one online community has escaped Big Tech’s harsh anvil.
“Like many of us, I was so shocked when we heard the coaches were fired and our beloved Supernatural. We loved it and it was great, but it would never be better than it was. All we had was what we had. We all felt like we bought it to kill it,” one user wrote in a public Supernatural Facebook group. “I am such a sap. Why am I crying?”
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