Creators are not happy with Meta’s sudden decision to pull the plug on its Spark platform. The app gave many third parties the chance to create AR effects but that’s no longer going to be the case.
The news was published on the company’s Facebook community account for Meta Spark. This is where creators spoke about how disappointed they were with the news. Remember, the app was also a means of livelihood for many creators, and shutting doors means putting hundreds out of work.
The news did not come with any warming but as a sudden decision that led to confusion and chaos on the creators’ part. Many are now issuing demands as to why this decision was made as others ask for accountability on Meta’s part.
The effective deadline has been outlined as January of next year after which the AR tools will no longer be in use. However, those already created and under the ownership of Meta will still be available for use across its different apps.
Meta tried to cover up the anger by speaking about how grateful they were to the community and stakeholders who helped make the project a success. It was first rolled out seven years back when AR was first introduced. Since then, it has required a lot of creativity and innovation, also giving rise to extended reach to millions.
All the effects created using Sparks tools were utilized billions of times, Meta confirmed. It would not be wrong to call it one of the company’s biggest AR apps during that era. Moreover, it was not only restricted to Instagram and Facebook but also Messenger. When it launched, it was already in use by 600k creators from more than 190 different nations. Clearly, the app was making head waves.
Meta says the choice to scrap the app was not linked to its popularity or adoption. Instead, it was designed after a proper assessment. According to Facebook’s parent firm, it was a necessary call, and like all of its other offerings, it is prioritizing what it feels can best serve the general public.
There are some reports about Meta making creators and developers happy with better initiatives at this year’s Meta Connect event that will take place next month. This includes the company’s plans to roll out AR smart glasses. Now the question is whether or not that’s going to be a good enough replacement for Spark.
From what we can see right now, it does not seem like it. A lot of creators have invested time, money, and knowledge to transform Spark into an app by which they can make a living. It was doing good for the company and for many creators. Hence, shutting it down is still a mystery that creators may never be able to solve.
For now, if you do have some published effects stored on Meta’s apps, we suggest you save all of your project files before it’s too late.
Image: DIW-Aigen
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