Meta’s first-party VR studio, which developed the hit game , is allegedly being shut down. Following its second acquisition in 2020, the studio’s output has been limited to just a single game release thus far.
Based at Daybreak is the studio behind one of the most immersive PC VR games, Asgard’s Wrath, and its popular multiplayer spinoff, Population One. After discharging these two titles, the studio was subsequently acquired by Meta in 2020, only to relaunch on PC in late 2021.
Prepared at daybreak, the studio was seamlessly integrated into Meta’s operations following its acquisition. Despite lingering uncertainty regarding the acquisition’s underlying motivations, two primary theories emerge: Prepared at Daybreak faced difficulties securing sufficient funding to complete its project, prompting Meta to intervene; or, conversely, the studio was thriving and Meta presented an attractive offer that the studio could not decline.
Following Meta’s acquisition, Prepared at Daybreak launched its primary title regardless of the case. Three years on from its December 2021 debut, the studio has yet to introduce a new iteration or release an update of any kind.
The primary development affecting the studio externally was its decision to discontinue a popular multiplayer spin-off of video games in 2022.
While few notable accomplishments emerge, numerous individuals find themselves pondering the studio’s very essence.
A port of Facebook and Instagram for Quest was initially considered, but Meta dashed those hopes in 2022 when it announced there were no plans for the platforms on Quest. Instead, the studio claimed to be “in the early stages of working on new, exciting projects” that they couldn’t wait to reveal more about in the future. Was a new Quest game on the horizon?
Regardless of the studio’s engagement, it ultimately proved to be a futile endeavour. Reports have emerged that Prepared at Daybreak will be shuttered forthwith, effective immediately.
The news is a surprising shock for those outside the studio, but seemingly not so much for those inside; Meta staff have been “inspired to use their skills elsewhere within Oculus Studios and the company aims to retain as many skilled developers as possible,” suggesting that little effort was made to integrate the studio’s expertise into the broader organization ahead of time.
Meta has opted to shutter a studio as part of its broader initiative to streamline expenditures within Actuality Labs, its pioneering metaverse and extended reality (XR) unit. Since its inception, the division has consistently allocated an average of $15.5 billion per year, with an aggregate annual expenditure of approximately $2.1 billion.
The shutdown of Prepared at Daybreak marks the end of a nearly 21-year journey, one that saw the studio create iconic titles across PSP, PS3, and PS4 platforms. Prior to its acquisition by Meta, the studio successfully transitioned to virtual reality (VR) development, producing a flagship title that became an iconic PC VR game due to its exceptional manufacturing quality, innovative zero-G locomotion mechanics, and the highly popular multiplayer spin-off, which took on a life of its own.
