Meta has decided to transition its VR fitness game Supernatural into a new independent entity rather than shutting it down, much to the relief of its dedicated users. Originally developed by Within, the app has gained traction for making workouts enjoyable and accessible for many.
In 2023, Meta acquired Within for roughly $400 million while navigating an eight-month antitrust battle. Despite this significant investment and effort, the company later downsized its VR team and announced plans to cease adding new content to the platform just a few years post-acquisition.
However, after receiving feedback from Supernatural’s user community, who expressed strong opposition to the app’s potential discontinuation, Meta has allowed the Supernatural team to establish a new independent company known as Supernatural Health. This transition is set to take effect later this year.
“Supernatural is being reborn. Same coaches, same DNA, same obsession with making fitness feel like the best part of your day — now under a new, independent company we’re starting from the ground up,” states Supernatural Health on its website.
The original founders of Supernatural will lead this new venture.
While the outcome is positive, it is also frustrating. The situation parallels a high school romance where a heartfelt confession leads to a complicated dinner with the date’s parents, only to end right after the prom.
“We’re grateful for the platform and resources Meta provided during a critical growth phase,” Supernatural Health remarked. “This transition reflects a shared belief that Supernatural’s community is best served by a focused, independent team. Meta has been supportive throughout.”
In light of the recent developments, one user expressed their emotional relief and nostalgia within the public Supernatural Facebook group, stating, “I was so devastated when the coaches were let go and we were told our beloved Supernatural would never get any better than it was. We all felt like it was purchased to kill.”
