Meta Closes VR Studio Ready at Dawn, Creator of Echo VR
Meta has reportedly shut down Ready at Dawn, the developer behind popular VR titles like Echo VR and Lone Echo, as well as the PlayStation exclusive The Order: 1886. The closure, effective immediately, comes as part of Meta's efforts to realign its VR development strategy.
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| A sleek VR headset symbolizing the innovative world of virtual reality gaming that Ready at Dawn contributed to, now facing changes under Meta's new direction |
A Sudden End for a Veteran Studio
Ready at Dawn, founded in 2003, had a long history of creating acclaimed games across multiple platforms:
- Developed PSP hits like Daxter and God of War: Chains of Olympus
- Created the visually stunning PS4 game The Order: 1886
- Pivoted to VR with successful titles Echo VR and Lone Echo
Meta acquired the studio in 2020, seemingly positioning it as a key player in their VR ecosystem. However, this sudden closure marks an unexpected end to Ready at Dawn's nearly 20-year run.
Budget Constraints and Shifting Priorities
While Meta has not officially commented on the closure, reports suggest it may be linked to budget adjustments within the company's Reality Labs division. An internal memo reportedly indicates that the decision is part of a strategy to:
- Stay within new budgetary constraints
- Allow Oculus Studios to make a better long-term impact in VR development
This follows Meta's recent shutdown of Echo VR, one of Ready at Dawn's most popular titles, despite its dedicated player base.
Impact on VR Development
The closure of Ready at Dawn raises questions about Meta's approach to first-party VR content:
- Loss of a experienced VR development team
- Potential cancellation of unannounced projects
- Shift in focus for Meta's VR content strategy
While Meta claims to remain committed to first-party game development, this move suggests a reevaluation of how those resources are allocated.
Looking Ahead
As the VR landscape continues to evolve, the closure of Ready at Dawn serves as a reminder of the challenges facing even established developers in this space. It remains to be seen how this will impact Meta's future VR offerings and the broader VR gaming ecosystem.