Meta Shuts Down VR Studio Ready at Dawn, Creator of Lone Echo Series
Meta has reportedly closed Ready at Dawn, the virtual reality game studio behind the acclaimed Lone Echo series. This closure comes as part of Meta's efforts to reduce costs in its Reality Labs VR division.
A Storied History Cut Short
Founded in 2003, Ready at Dawn built its reputation developing games for PlayStation platforms, including entries in the God of War and Daxter franchises. The studio pivoted to VR development in 2017 with the release of Lone Echo for the Oculus Rift.
Meta (then Facebook) acquired Ready at Dawn in 2020, integrating it into the Oculus Studios first-party development group. However, the studio has not released a new title since 2021's Lone Echo II.
Part of Larger Cuts at Meta
This closure follows Meta's decision to shut down Echo VR, Ready at Dawn's multiplayer VR game, in August 2023. At that time, the company also laid off approximately one-third of the studio's staff.
The exact number of employees affected by this complete closure is unclear. However, Meta stated the number was not high enough to trigger California's Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act, suggesting fewer than 50 people were impacted.
Ongoing Struggles for Meta's VR Division
Meta's Reality Labs division, responsible for the company's virtual and augmented reality efforts, has been a significant financial drain. The division has reportedly lost nearly $50 billion over the past four years.
While closing Ready at Dawn is unlikely to dramatically improve these financials, it appears to be part of Meta's broader strategy to reduce Reality Labs' budget. Reports indicate the company plans to cut the division's budget by 20% in 2026.
Industry Reaction
The closure of Ready at Dawn has been met with sadness from many in the games industry. The studio was widely respected for its technical prowess and innovative VR game design.
Robert Duncan, design director at Ready at Dawn, expressed his sorrow on social media: I've been at RAD for over 10 years and I am incredibly sad to see this wonderful team I've grown to love be broken apart this way.
As the VR market continues to evolve, the loss of experienced studios like Ready at Dawn raises questions about the long-term viability and direction of VR game development.