A certain tech giant once invested heavily in the metaverse track, forming a large dedicated team. Now, the company has announced the elimination of approximately 1,500 employees from the metaverse department, a decision that reflects a shift in the market situation.

Looking back at the peak of the metaverse craze a few years ago, major internet companies were betting heavily, with overwhelming promotional materials and luxurious advertising campaigns, depicting the prospects of the virtual world vividly. At that time, public opinion was extremely enthusiastic, as if the metaverse was the ultimate form of the internet.

But reality is often more complicated than expected. Unfinished technology, limited application scenarios, unmet user needs—these issues gradually emerged. From the evolution of the Web3 ecosystem, this adjustment also reminds us: not every hot trend is worth all-in, and industry development requires time for accumulation and genuine demand-driven growth. The strategic shift of large companies is both a sign of market rationality returning and a wake-up call for the entire industry.