Introduction
In a move that has resonated across the gaming industry, Ready At Dawn, the acclaimed developer known for ‘The Order: 1866’ and ‘Lone Echo VR’ games, has been reportedly closed by its parent company Meta. This closure is part of Meta’s effort to meet budget reductions within its Reality Labs VR division, first reported in July 2023. Founded in 2003, Ready At Dawn transitioned from developing for PlayStation platforms to focusing on VR, marking a significant shift in the company’s trajectory.
From PlayStation to VR: A Timeline
Ready At Dawn initially built its reputation with PlayStation titles before expanding into the VR market with the 2017 release of ‘Lone Echo’ for the Oculus Rift. This pivot demonstrated the studio’s adaptability and innovation. Following this, they released ‘Echo VR’, a standalone multiplayer spinoff, which quickly became a notable success in the VR segment. However, despite its success, ‘Echo VR’ was closed in August 2023 as the studio seemingly shifted focus to its next project—a project that never materialized.
Impact of the Closure
The studio’s most recent release, ‘Lone Echo 2’, came out in 2021, just a year after Meta’s acquisition of the studio. The exact number of employees affected by this closure has not been publicly disclosed. Meta has stated that the number isn’t high enough to trigger California’s Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act, which applies to companies with 50 or more employees. This indicates a lower employee impact, but the exact figures remain unknown.
Broader Implications for Meta’s Reality Labs
Since its inception, Meta’s Reality Labs division has reportedly lost nearly $50 billion over the past four years. With the first six months of 2024 alone accounting for almost $9 billion in losses, the closure of Ready At Dawn raises questions about the division’s sustainability. While reducing overhead by closing studios may be one approach, it is debatable whether this tactic alone can mitigate such significant financial losses. Echo VR, although successful, represents only a small slice of these extensive financial challenges.
Conclusion
The future of VR innovation at Meta remains uncertain as they navigate these turbulent financial waters. Closing a studio like Ready At Dawn, which has shown potential in developing compelling VR experiences, may not be the ultimate solution. The industry waits to see how Meta will recalibrate its strategy to achieve a sustainable path forward. Any further updates and comments from Meta will be closely watched by stakeholders and enthusiasts alike.
