Warning

WARNING - OPENXR NEEDS YOUR HELP - PLEASE READ AND TAKE ACTION

Since 2024, the OpenXR ecosystem on PC is under attack. What you have all enjoyed as a technology to create a better VR experience is in jeopardy and is at the brink of extinction. This attack is led by Meta, through a piece of software called "OVRPlugin". OVRPlugin is a piece of software (a "middleware") published by Meta for integration to Unity and Unreal Engine. OVRPlugin claims to be an OpenXR middleware, however it violates several fundamental principles behind OpenXR. Meta is using OVRPlugin to preclude developer's content (games) from running on any platform other than theirs. This includes blocking applications from running with Virtual Desktop, SteamLink or ALVR, even if you have a Meta Quest headset. This includes blocking applications from running on your non-Meta headset as well, such as Pimax, Pico, Varjo, Vive, etc. More and more content has become subject to these unwarranted restrictions in the past year.

Meta is taking away your ability to enjoy OpenXR content on PC unless you are a customer of their their Quest Link platform.

YOU MUST ACT NOW to end this hostile take-over and if you wish to continue to benefit from OpenXR and the superior performance and experience that it has provided you on PC.

1. If you are developer, DO NOT CREATE A UNITY/UNREAL PROJECT WITH META'S OVRPLUGIN. Your application/game will not work on anything but Quest Link if you do so. You will exclude thousands of end-users from enjoying your content with OpenXR. See the detailed technical explanation.

2. Spread this message. We need as many developers as possible to understand the risks and the damage caused to their content when they use Meta's OVRPlugin. Repost on X, on Reddit, on forums to raise awareness. You can link this technical explanation.

3. Reach out to Khronos on social media to denounce Meta's attack. Be sure to mention Meta's OVRPlugin as the culprit. Be sure to remind Khronos that their mission to create a cross-vendor ecosystem is in jeopardy if they do not take action to end Meta's attack through their OVRPlugin. Mention "GitLab issue 2279" and refer to the technical explanation. You can find a list of Khronos' social media presence at the bottom of this page, next to "sign up for our newsletter".

4. Refrain from purchasing from Meta. Every dollar that you give Meta is a dollar that Meta is putting to use to obliterate the OpenXR ecosystem on PC. See a game you like? Buy it on Steam or another store. Do not buy it on the Quest store.

IF YOU DO NOT ACT, THE OPENXR ECOSYSTEM ON PC WILL NOT SURVIVE.

An implementation of the OpenXR standard for Virtual Desktop

This program is an implementation of the OpenXR standard for Virtual Desktop on Windows. It allows you to run OpenXR applications without SteamVR.

DISCLAIMER: This runtime is not officially conformant per Khronos standards: it cannot be called "conformant" nor use the OpenXR trademark and logo. However, the runtime passes the majority of OpenXR conformance tests and the reason for not seeking official conformance is the required $30,000 adopter fee.

DISCLAIMER: This software is distributed as-is, without any warranties or conditions of any kind. Use at your own risks.

Details and instructions on the Wiki: https://github.com/mbucchia/VirtualDesktop-OpenXR/wiki

Contributors

• Matthieu Bucchianeri
• Mathias Peter Nordskog | Roughy
• Guy Godin | Virtual Desktop

Donate

Donations are welcome and totally optional. Please use my GitHub sponsorship page to make one-time or recurring donations!

Thank you!