### Mark Rabkin Resigns from Meta: Vishal Shah Takes the Lead in VR and Mixed Reality
In a noteworthy shift in leadership at Meta, Mark Rabkin, the Vice President of Virtual Reality (VR) and Mixed Reality (MR), has declared his resignation after 18 years with the organization. Rabkin, who has played a crucial role in developing Meta’s VR/MR environment since the debut of the Oculus Quest 2 in 2020, will officially conclude his tenure in March 2025. His successor, Vishal Shah, who is currently the Vice President of the Metaverse at Meta, will take on the position and duties of VP of VR/MR.
This leadership change occurs at a critical time for Meta, as the company pursues its ambitious goals in the metaverse while addressing challenges within its VR/MR sector.
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### **Mark Rabkin’s Impact at Meta**
Mark Rabkin has been a foundational figure in Meta’s VR/MR journey, significantly influencing the company’s hardware and software development. During his leadership, the Meta Quest headsets reached unprecedented revenue levels, with the division exceeding $1 billion in sales during the last quarter of 2024. Rabkin also led the rebranding of Oculus to Meta, aligning the company’s VR offerings with its overarching metaverse aspirations.
A significant milestone during Rabkin’s term was the evolution of the Meta Horizon OS, which shifted from an Oculus-branded product to a platform that third-party developers could leverage. This change was part of Meta’s initiative to broaden its ecosystem and enhance accessibility for external developers.
However, Rabkin’s era was not devoid of challenges. In late 2024, a major overhaul of the Meta Horizon Store, the digital marketplace for Meta Quest applications and games, transitioned from curated content to a more open framework. While this decision aimed at democratizing the platform, it drew criticism from developers and users alike. Numerous developers voiced their discontent over their applications being overshadowed by inferior clones, while users expressed disappointment regarding the absence of curated, high-quality offerings.
Despite these hurdles, Rabkin’s influence on Meta’s VR/MR division has been transformative. In his farewell message posted on Facebook, Rabkin reflected on his tenure at Meta as a “foundational, formative experience” and cited family health challenges as his primary reason for stepping down.
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### **Vishal Shah: The New Head of VR/MR**
Vishal Shah, who has been at the forefront of Meta’s metaverse activities since 2021, will now take on the crucial role of managing the VR/MR division. Shah’s elevation underscores Meta’s dedication to unifying its VR/MR strategies with its overall metaverse vision.
Shah’s time as VP of the Metaverse has been characterized by ambitious objectives and notable obstacles. Since Mark Zuckerberg introduced the metaverse idea in 2021, Meta has encountered skepticism and criticism regarding its capacity to deliver on its commitments. Shah has been leading these initiatives, striving to realize the metaverse concept.
One of Shah’s immediate tasks will be to tackle the challenges present in the Meta Horizon Store. Developers and users have raised concerns regarding the platform’s current status, and Shah will need to achieve a balance between openness and quality assurance. Furthermore, Shah is likely to prioritize expanding the Meta metaverse platform, Horizon Worlds, which has faced difficulties in gaining popularity compared to rivals such as Fortnite and Roblox.
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### **The Future for Meta’s VR/MR Division**
The leadership shift arrives at a crucial time for Meta. The company has poured substantial resources into its VR/MR and metaverse projects, with 2025 being referenced as a “critical year” by both CEO Mark Zuckerberg and CTO Andrew “Boz” Bosworth. In a leaked memo, Bosworth characterized 2025 as the year that will establish whether Meta’s metaverse initiatives are perceived as visionary or simply a “legendary misadventure.”
Meta’s plans for the upcoming years include a focus on operational excellence and innovation. The company aims to deliver high-quality products and experiences that will appeal to both developers and users. This strategy encompasses rectifying previous missteps, such as the flawed rollout of a holiday update that temporarily affected Meta Quest headsets.
Shah’s leadership will also likely stress the integration of mobile platforms with VR/MR experiences. Meta has acknowledged that the metaverse cannot be limited to VR only and is exploring methods to enhance accessibility across various devices.
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### **Major Changes on the Horizon**
With Shah leading the charge, the Meta Horizon ecosystem is set for substantial transformations. The organization has already made progress in rebranding and refreshing its platforms, but numerous tasks remain to be completed. Shah’s expertise in the metaverse uniquely positions him to connect Meta’s VR/MR hardware with its grander vision for a cohesive digital universe.
One primary focus area will be Horizon Worlds, Meta’s flagship metaverse platform. Despite years
