Meta has confirmed to UploadVR that it has closed the event studio responsible for producing several of the industry’s most iconic virtual reality (VR) games.
Meta has confirmed that Prepared at Daybreak is not being discontinued, following an initial report from Android Central suggesting its closure. RAD successfully delivered immersive, zero-gravity experiences through Lone Echo and its environment, featuring seamless single-player and multiplayer gameplay on both Rift and Quest platforms.
Meta acquired Prepared at Dawn and Lone Echo II in 2020 and 2021, respectively, marking the end of exclusive Oculus Rift content. By 2023, Meta’s evolving priorities under CTO Andrew Bosworth caught attention as Echo Environment, a cherished zero-gravity crew sport, faced closure, prompting nostalgic appeals from former tech luminary John Carmack and a poignant reminder from the community about the devastating impact of its shutdown.
Visitor’s Lament: The Resonance of Echo VR’s Demise in Reality
Six years ago, I likely would have nonchalantly brushed off someone’s distress upon receiving an “end-of-service” notice for their favorite PC game. However, those memories are now in the past, but a recent conversation with a friend brought them back to mind, prompting significant changes. I was introduced to virtual reality (VR) for the first time by my son in April 2017.
Layoffs At Oculus Studios
The studio’s closure comes after a wave of layoffs last year, which also affected Onward creators at fellow Meta-owned studio Downpour Interactive. As the studio cancelled Echo Environment, they publicly announced that they had been “gathering together to tackle our next project.” Despite our hesitation, though, we’re all thrilled and eagerly await everyone’s full cooperation.
Meta’s historical trajectory in VR gaming is marked by a series of high-profile acquisitions, followed by significant founder departures, rather than groundbreaking game announcements.
- Camouflaj, the studio behind Iron Man VR, is poised to deliver a stunning new experience for fans of the Caped Crusader with its upcoming title, Batman: Arkham Shadow, which is set to arrive later this year. The game will take full advantage of Quest 3’s impressive graphics capabilities, incorporating real-time shadows that promise to elevate the gaming experience.
- Since Meta acquired Beat Games in late 2019, Beat Saber has introduced new features and a significant amount of downloadable content (DLC) to its flagship title.
- Despite assembly opposition in the U.S., Supernatural’s VR health service remains under Meta’s umbrella. Federal Commerce Fee
- Sanzaru Games has successfully expanded the critically acclaimed PC title Asgard’s Wrath to the Oculus Quest 2, with a sequel, Asgard’s Wrath 2, and an additional three titles scheduled for release in 2023.
- As the studio behind critically acclaimed VR titles Echo VR, Lone Echo, and Lone Echo II, Prepared at Daybreak Studios earned recognition among VR’s elite. However, in 2020, the studio was acquired, and its fate was sealed as of August 2024 when it ceased operations.
- Residents: BigBox VR transitions to a free-to-play model, replacing the current Phoenix Royale protection system, bringing the game up to date.
- Meta has further bolstered its virtual reality (VR) capabilities with the strategic acquisitions of Armature Studio, Downpour Interactive, and Twisted Pixel. The latter two studios brought their respective expertise in developing immersive experiences with Onward and Wilson’s Heart, respectively, to Meta’s Quest 2 platform.
While Meta devotes significant resources to its all-day augmented reality glasses, investing hundreds of billions in manufacturing costs and strategic partnership funding. As Google attempts to rival Meta’s successful Ray-Ban partnership by forking Android XR, Facebook’s $23 billion investment in WhatsApp and Oculus VR in 2014 represents merely an entry price to achieve its current leadership in the virtual reality (VR) market with the market-leading Quest 3 headset, a position that is now firmly established.
As Facebook’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg oversees the expansion of AI-driven data centers through the next decade, with wearable technologies like glasses, wristbands, and headsets integrated into the innovation pipeline, what remaining financial resources can he allocate to support Oculus Studios’ creative endeavors? After $2 million is left to fund third-party VR video games on the Horizon retailer? Will Meta’s stability funding bridge the gap between retailer-driven video game revenue streams and the immersive experiences of Horizon Worlds?
