Meta shuts down VR game studio in cost-cutting move
Meta, the parent company of Oculus Studios, has announced the immediate closure of its subsidiary game development studio, Ready at Dawn, the developer of The Order: 1886 and Echo VR. The news was first reported by Android Central after viewing an internal staff memo circulated among employees. The memo stated that Ready at Dawn has been shut down with immediate effect. Founded in 2003, the game development studio has had a long-standing relationship with Sony and its PlayStation branding.
Ready at Dawn's contribution to PlayStation and VR gaming
Ready at Dawn is recognized for developing several PlayStation Portable (PSP) spinoff games including Daxter, God of War: Chains of Olympus, and God of War: Ghost of Sparta. The studio's title The Order: 1886 for PlayStation 4 is known for its advanced graphics. After being acquired by Meta in June 2020, Ready at Dawn released two successful VR exclusive titles: Lone Echo and Echo Arena.
Meta's commitment to first-party game development remains
Despite the closure of Ready at Dawn, Meta has reassured its staff that this does not signal broader layoffs. The company remains dedicated to its first-party game development efforts. This decision comes four years after Meta's acquisition of Ready at Dawn Studios and follows a report suggesting a 20% budget cut for Meta's Reality Labs division by 2026.
Gaming studio's transition to VR
Ready at Dawn began its gaming journey with Sony's PSP, releasing its first game Daxter in 2006. The studio later transitioned to console games and then pivoted to virtual reality (VR) gaming in 2018. After releasing two successful VR titles, Echo Arena and Lone Echo, the studio was taken over by Meta-owned Oculus in 2023. Despite Meta's decision to shut down Ready at Dawn, it encouraged staff affected by this closure to apply for other positions within the company.
