Meta's metaverse ambitions appear to have hit another snag. Reports are surfacing that the company is shuttering several VR game studios as part of a broader 10% reduction in force within its Reality Labs division. This news is a blow to the VR gaming community and raises questions about Meta's long-term commitment to the metaverse.
Studios Behind Key VR Titles Affected
The closures reportedly include Twisted Pixel Games, the studio behind Marvel's Deadpool VR. According to a post by former Twisted Pixel level designer Andy Gentile, the studio is being shut down due to "strategy changes at Meta." This is a significant loss, as Deadpool VR showed promise and demonstrated the potential for established IPs to thrive in virtual reality. News of the closure of Sanzaru Games, the developer behind the acclaimed Asgard's Wrath franchise, has also emerged. Sanzaru's work was considered some of the highest quality gaming experiences in the VR space.
Armature Studio, known for their work on the Resident Evil 4 VR port, is also rumored to be affected. The studio played a crucial role in bringing a beloved classic to VR, demonstrating that existing games could be successfully adapted to the platform. Meta has not yet released an official statement confirming the closures, but multiple layoff announcements from employees across these studios lend credence to the reports. The Verge reported on the closures after former Twisted Pixel level designer Andy Gentile posted about being laid off. This adds more weight to the reports.
What Does This Mean for Meta's Metaverse Vision?
These studio closures raise concerns about the future of VR gaming within Meta's metaverse ecosystem. While Meta continues to invest heavily in hardware like the Quest headsets, the lack of compelling software experiences could hinder broader adoption. It's difficult to see how Meta will attract new users or retain existing ones if they scale back on the creation of immersive VR games. The decision to close these studios suggests a possible shift in Meta's metaverse strategy. Perhaps they are moving away from in-house development and focusing more on partnerships or external content creation. Regardless, the impact on the VR gaming community is undeniable, and the long-term consequences for Meta's metaverse ambitions remain to be seen. This is after CEO Mark Zuckerberg pushed for the metaverse to be the future, so it may be concerning for investors. Meta [https://about.facebook.com/] did not respond to requests for comment.
As a former Apple Genius, I understand the need to sometimes recalibrate a product vision, but you have to nurture the ecosystem if you want it to thrive. Closing down studios making unique VR experiences will only hurt the platform in the long run. I hope Meta reconsiders its approach and redoubles its commitment to VR gaming.