Meta Saves VR Fitness Game: Supernatural Spins Off Independently

Meta’s multi-billion-dollar push to make VR the next big thing was mostly a bust, save for one major exception: Supernatural, a VR fitness game that made working out feel fun and accessible. Now, users can rejoice that Supernatural isn’t shutting down after all. In a rare reversal that actually benefits the gaming community, Meta has decided to spare the beloved virtual reality fitness game from the tech graveyard. Following widespread user backlash and a heartbreaking few months for players, the tech giant officially announced it will let the game spin out into a brand-new, independent company called Supernatural Health rather than permanently pulling the plug.

About five months after placing the game in a frozen maintenance mode, Meta is handing the reins back to the people who know it best. The new entity will be led by the app’s original founders, Chris Milk and Aaron Koblin, and will see the highly anticipated return of its fan-favorite fitness coaches. 

A completely fresh version of the game will relaunch on the Meta Horizon Store this autumn, while the current Meta-owned app will officially shut down on December 3, 2026. Existing subscriptions will remain active until that sunset date, and players will receive direct communication about the mandatory migration to the new, independent app.

The Price Bump for Newfound Independence

This newfound independence and rescue mission will cost players a bit more cash. Transitioning to the independent platform means a significant price bump to cover music licensing and the dedicated team's salaries. Monthly subscription fees are doubling from $10 USD to $20, while the annual membership price will jump from $100 to $180. Still, for a dedicated community whose massive outcry successfully pressured Meta to respond, paying a little extra is a small price for saving their digital sanctuary.

Players had previously launched petitions and flooded social media with heartfelt stories of how the game transformed their routines, so the news of a revival has been incredibly emotional. The new team confirmed the good news on its website, writing that Supernatural is being reborn with the same coaches, same DNA, and same obsession with making fitness feel like the best part of your day, all under a new, independent company built from the ground up. 

One user in the public Supernatural Facebook group perfectly captured the mood, writing, “Like so many of us, I was so devastated when the coaches were let go and we were told our beloved Supernatural, while we loved it and it was great, would never get any better than it was. We all felt like it was purchased to kill.”Another simply wrote: "I am such a sap. Why am I tearing up?"

An Expensive Chapter for Reality Labs

While it is a happy ending, it is also incredibly maddening and marks the end of a very strange, expensive chapter in gaming history. Back in 2023, Meta went through the immense hassle of fighting an eight-month antitrust battle against the Federal Trade Commission, with CEO Mark Zuckerberg even testifying in federal court just so it could acquire Within, the game's original developer. 

The deal was reportedly worth around $400 million, plus however much it costs to fight and win an FTC lawsuit. Yet after all that effort, Meta’s Reality Labs division underwent sweeping layoffs in January 2026, firing roughly 1,500 employees, slashing 10% of its workforce, and halting new content for Supernatural entirely.

Despite the chaos, Supernatural Health expressed gratitude for Meta’s resources during its critical growth phase, noting that the transition reflects a shared belief that the community is best served by an independent team. Meta has been supportive throughout.