Meta Halts Supernatural Content: Community Rallies for VR Fitness Game's Future
Meta recently ceased content production for Supernatural, a popular VR fitness game, following the shutdown of three VR studios within its Reality Labs division and broader layoffs. This decision has spurred significant user backlash, prompting individuals like Sherry Dickson, a 69-year-old retired teacher and regular Supernatural player, to initiate an online social media campaign advocating for the game's continued development.
Users describe the cessation of new content as detrimental to the game.
Beyond Exercise: What Makes Supernatural Unique?
Supernatural uniquely combines elements of connected fitness classes and rhythm games, immersing users in workouts synchronized to music within diverse virtual environments. Its core model relies on a continually updated library of content, including new music, levels, and choreography, which users state is crucial for maintaining engagement and connection with the game's coaches.
The Supernatural Facebook page, boasting over 110,000 members, is now filled with numerous expressions of attachment to the game. A Change.org petition requesting Meta and CEO Mark Zuckerberg to reconsider the decision has already garnered over 7,000 signatures. Users such as Regina Lynn have voiced strong criticism, viewing Meta's decision as a significant misstep.
A Diverse Community: Accessibility and Health Benefits
The typical Supernatural user often differs significantly from broader VR demographics. A majority of its players are women, individuals over 50, and those with limited mobility. This distinct user base has actively voiced profound concerns following the announcement. Many users, particularly those with physical considerations, reported that Supernatural provided a non-judgmental environment for exercise.
Accounts from users over 50 indicate the game has been instrumental in managing health conditions, recovering from injuries, facilitating weight loss, and maintaining consistent fitness. Users like Vickie Bitter and Jennifer Boyer highlighted the game's exceptional accessibility, allowing workouts without traditional gym settings or concerns about physical limitations. Boyer, who uses ankle-foot orthotics, found Supernatural's varied choreography and adjustable settings—including wheelchair mode and single-handed play—particularly suitable for her mobility needs and more engaging than conventional exercises.
Jeanna Duryee, a physical therapist, noted using VR, including Supernatural, with patients to address issues such as depression and deconditioning, reporting positive patient engagement with the game as an intervention.
Post-Acquisition Concerns: A Decline in Quality?
Supernatural was considered a highly successful VR application prior to its acquisition by Meta. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) initiated a probe in 2021 to prevent the acquisition, citing Meta's previous purchase of Beat Saber and potential market dominance concerns. The acquisition was ultimately finalized in 2023 after the probe failed.
Users like Boyer, who was a beta tester, and Dickson reported a noticeable decline in the game's quality and community support following Meta's acquisition. Specific concerns included a reduction in new features, diminished direct interaction opportunities with coaches, decreased frequency of new workouts, and the discontinuation of beta group chats. Matt Krzycki has advised other app developers to carefully consider Meta's handling of Supernatural.
The Unbreakable Bond: Coaches and the Supernatural Family
Many users expressed that Meta's treatment of Supernatural's creative team, especially the coaches, was a significant point of concern. Users, such as Erica Carter, viewed the coaches as integral to their experience and felt a deep personal connection to them, describing emotional distress over their layoffs. The Supernatural coaches have cultivated strong bonds with the community; for example, users showed extensive support during a personal loss for coach Leanne Pendante.
Following their layoffs, coaches like Mindy Lai, Antonio “Doc” Harrison, and Mark Harari have used social media to express their gratitude for the community and encourage users to continue engaging with the platform.
Meta's Silence and Users' Loss of Trust
Meta declined to comment on the community backlash or future plans for Supernatural. A spokesperson, Johanna Peace, cited new features and content introduced post-acquisition, such as a subscription price reduction, a multiplayer mode, and new artist collaborations, as evidence of ongoing development.
Users who spoke with The Verge expressed a profound loss of trust in Meta. Some have canceled subscriptions, while others, like Dickson, are organizing grassroots efforts. A primary concern for users is the potential expiration of music licenses, which could lead to the removal of existing workouts. Many users stated they perceive no viable alternative to Supernatural.
Jennifer Boyer, who purchased multiple Meta Quest headsets specifically for the game, stated that she would not acquire other Meta products, expressing a view that the company does not prioritize its users.
Fighting for Survival: Grassroots Efforts and Future Hopes
Pieter Montoulieu, a long-time Supernatural player, is already developing a similar VR fitness prototype for the Apple Vision Pro, citing Meta's decision as a motivating factor.
Sherry Dickson's campaign aims to ensure Supernatural's existing content remains available on Meta's servers. She also expressed a desire for an investor to acquire Supernatural's rights, allowing it to become an independent platform again and potentially rehire the original creative team. Chris Milk, cofounder of Within (the studio behind Supernatural), declined to comment via a spokesperson.
While Supernatural's future remains unclear, users intend to continue playing as long as possible. Dickson aims to mobilize the community to influence Meta's decision or attract potential buyers. As Sherer Minor, another Supernatural user, expressed, there is a strong desire for the app's continued existence.