Thank you for the thoughtful messages you’ve shared since we shared we’re winding down 8th Wall. We’ve heard a mix of appreciation, concern, and very practical questions about what comes next. Since that announcement, our focus has been on providing clear guidance so you can plan ahead with confidence.
Today, we’re sharing an update on the structure of the transition: what will be distributed, what will be open sourced, and what will no longer be supported after the end of hosted services in 2027. Some details are still being finalized, but we want to give you an early look to help you plan. As such, this post focuses on the shape of what’s to come rather than an exhaustive feature list.
Distributed 8th Wall Engine Binary (Limited-Use)
8th Wall’s core capabilities rely on proprietary computer vision and tracking technology that cannot be open sourced. At the same time, we want to support continued development with these capabilities once platform hosting ends in February 2027. To do that, we will release the 8th Wall Engine as a free distributed, closed-source binary.
Details on the engine distribution license type are still being finalized. Once released, use of the engine will be governed by the distribution license provided with the binary.
What’s included in the engine binary
The distributed engine binary includes many of the core AR capabilities of 8th Wall, including:
- World Effects
- Face Effects
- Image Targets
- Sky Effects
- Absolute Scale
To ensure stability during the transition, we’ll maintain the engine binary through March 2026. After that, it will still be available to download in perpetuity.
What’s not included in the engine binary
The engine binary does not provide source code access, and developers cannot modify, recompile, or redistribute it in altered form. In addition, the binary removes platform services and IP that we can’t share, including Niantic Spatial products.
Specifically, the engine binary will not include:
- Niantic Spatial VPS (also known as Lightship VPS for Web)
- Lightship Maps
- Hand Tracking
Open Source Components
We’re preparing all components surrounding the engine that are not tied to SLAM or proprietary computer vision technology for open source release. These components will work alongside the distributed engine binary to support self-hosted and offline workflows.
What will be open sourced:
Planned open source components include:
- Standalone Runtime / ECS
- Developer tools, including:
- Desktop App for Mac and Windows
- MCP Server
- Documentation and Sample Projects
What will not be open sourced:
Some components cannot be open source. This includes:
- Engine internals (covered by the distributed binary)
- Hand Tracking
- Niantic Spatial products (as mentioned above)
Niantic Spatial Feature Availability After February 28, 2027
As previously shared, hosted 8th Wall services will remain available through February 28, 2027. Because Niantic Spatial services are being decoupled from the 8th Wall engine, and are not included in the distributed engine binary, features that rely on those services - including Niantic Spatial VPS, Lightship Maps, and the Geospatial Browser - will not be available when running projects offline after that date.
For questions about access to Niantic Spatial products, timelines, or future availability, please visit the Niantic Spatial Developer Forum, where the Niantic Spatial team will continue to share updates and guidance.
Looking Ahead
We know this is a significant transition, and we’re committed to sharing clear, steady updates as components move through review and release. Our next communication is planned for January, where we’ll share progress on what’s ready and what’s coming next.
Thank you for your continued patience, feedback, and creativity. We’re grateful for the community that has shaped 8th Wall, and we remain focused on supporting you through what comes next.
If you have more questions, please refer to our updated FAQs for expanded details.
Tags: Announcements
Written by 8th Wall
8th Wall is the 3D engine for the AI era, built for developers who can’t wait. We make it faster to bring ideas to life with AI-powered creation, a flexible editor, and instant publishing to web and native apps. Trusted by developers, creators, and global brands, 8th Wall powers thousands of real-world projects, from interactive experiences to full games, redefining how the next generation of worlds are built and shared.