Meta has permanently closed Ready at Dawn Studios, a renowned developer known for its VR games such as Echo VR and Lone Echo, as reported by Android Central. The closure, effective immediately, is part of Meta’s effort to align with new budgetary constraints within its Reality Labs division.
Ready at Dawn, also celebrated for its PSP classics like God of War and Daxter, had not launched a new game since Echo VR was ported to Quest in May 2020. The decision likely reflects the limited sales of Lone Echo 2, which was exclusively available on PCVR.
Meta’s decision to shut down Ready at Dawn follows earlier cuts in February when it announced the shuttering of Echo VR, despite maintaining a player count “in the low 10 thousands,” as noted by Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth. This closure aligns with Meta’s recent announcement to cut the Reality Labs division’s budget by 20% by 2026, aiming to ensure that the division remains within new financial constraints while making a “better long-term impact” in VR development. An internal memo from Gio Hunt, VP of Oculus Studios, supports this reasoning.
Ready at Dawn’s History and Achievements
Ready at Dawn’s reach in the gaming industry dates back to its early work on Sony’s PlayStation Portable (PSP). The studio released its first game, Daxter, in 2006, followed by several titles in Sony’s God of War series. They transitioned to console development with the PlayStation 4 title, The Order: 1886, in 2015.
Despite mixed reviews, the game was noted for its boundary-pushing graphics. In 2017, Ready at Dawn released De-Formers, a colorful multiplayer game for the PS4, Xbox One, and PC.
The rise of virtual reality prompted Ready at Dawn to pivot to this immersive medium in 2018. The studio released Echo Arena and Lone Echo for the Oculus Rift and Quest, both of which garnered a dedicated fanbase. Sequels like Echo Combat and Lone Echo II followed, further establishing the studio’s reputation in VR gaming.
Meta acquired Ready at Dawn in 2023, allowing the studio to continue operations in its California and Oregon offices. However, Meta later shut down Echo VR due to dwindling player numbers. Since 2023, Meta has slashed over 20,000 jobs as part of CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s “year of efficiency.”
Despite these cuts, Meta maintains its commitment to VR development, noting that the closure of Ready at Dawn does not signal broader reductions in first-party game development for Quest. Quest 3 sales have exceeded expectations, as reported in Meta’s recent quarterly earnings call.
Meta is encouraging Ready at Dawn employees to apply for positions within other studios under the Oculus umbrella, offering severance pay similar to previous layoffs. The closure does not trigger the California WARN Act, which mandates companies to provide advance notice if more than 50 employees are laid off within 30 days.
Featured Image courtesy of Meta
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