- In October 2023, XRHealth, an Israeli startup specializing in VR-based healthcare, deployed hundreds of virtual reality headsets across 30 hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and mental health centers throughout Israel. This rapid response followed the Hamas terrorist attacks, aiming to support patients coping with PTSD, anxiety, and stress. The headsets featured XRHealth’s Patient Xperience software, offering immersive environments for meditation, relaxation, and emotional recovery. The initiative underscores XRHealth’s commitment to using spatial computing to expand access to mental health therapy, especially in times of crisis
- In June 2023, DPVR, a leading virtual reality hardware provider, partnered with Clique Games, a VR content publisher, to elevate immersive gaming experiences across the Middle East and Africa. This collaboration combines DPVR’s cutting-edge VR headset technology with Clique Games’ portfolio of interactive VR titles, aiming to meet the region’s rising appetite for next-gen entertainment. The partnership is part of a broader trend of expanding VR ecosystems in emerging markets, where demand for affordable, high-quality gaming solutions is acceleratin
- In January 2023, YouGotaGift, a leading digital gift card platform in the Middle East, partnered with Carrefour UAE to launch multi-brand “phygital” HappyYOU gift cards across Carrefour’s retail outlets. These cards, made from sustainable materials, can be purchased in-store and activated digitally via the YouGotaGift app, allowing users to access a wide range of experiences—including VR-related content. This collaboration enhances the accessibility of immersive digital experiences and reflects the region’s growing embrace of digital gifting and interactive entertainment
- In June 2020, Lenovo unveiled the Mirage VR S3 Standalone Headset during the VR/AR Global Summit Online Conference, introducing a powerful all-in-one VR solution tailored for enterprise and educational use. Developed in collaboration with Pico Interactive, the headset features a 4K display, hands-free control, and a hygienic, easy-to-clean design, making it ideal for multi-user environments across sectors such as healthcare, training, and remote collaboration. With support from the Lenovo ThinkReality platform, the Mirage VR S3 enables scalable deployment and management of immersive content—particularly relevant for emerging markets in the Middle East and Africa
- In June 2020, Meta (then Facebook) acquired Ready at Dawn, a renowned VR game developer best known for titles such as Lone Echo and Echo VR, to bolster its Oculus Studios portfolio. The acquisition aimed to deepen Meta’s investment in immersive VR content, integrating Ready at Dawn’s creative expertise into its broader spatial computing strategy. While the move initially expanded Meta’s global VR footprint—including potential growth in emerging markets such as the Middle East and Africa—the studio was later shuttered in August 2024 as part of Meta’s restructuring of its Reality Labs division
