blockworks.co
The metaverse-focused division within the company formerly known as Facebook continues to bleed, this time posting a quarterly net loss of nearly $4 billion.
Known as Reality Labs, the unit encompasses augmented reality, virtual reality and the company’s metaverse software platform.
The first quarter loss for the department, revealed on Wednesday in a company financial report, was slightly lower than the $4.3 billion hit it took in the final quarter of 2022. The division’s total net loss last year reached $13.7 billion.
The company said in a statement Wednesday it continues to expect the operating losses of Reality Labs to increase year-over-year in 2023.
Facebook changed its name to Meta in October 2021 to capitalize on the metaverse trend.
Meta executives have said in previous quarters they are set to continue investing in the metaverse, citing “significant long-term opportunities” in the segment.
Meta’s “Family of Apps” segment — comprising Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, WhatsApp and other services — more than offset the big net loss from Reality Labs, posting a net gain of $11.2 billion last quarter.