Between 2019 and 2022, Meta went on a veritable purchasing spree of skilled studios to assist push its VR sport portfolio, culminating in 9 VR studios acquired thus far. Right here we have a look what’s occurred over the previous six years, together with the whole lot from latest successes to outright shutdowns.
Be aware: That is an up to date model of this text from October 2024, as we proceed to trace ongoing developments of Meta’s studios.
Acquisition by Meta often means just a few issues. Studios sometimes will get a ton of latest sources, connections to beloved IP, and the form of stability that comes with being beamed up into the Meta mothership. It might probably additionally imply they’ve much less flexibility, as they’re beholden to sustaining the video games that bought them consideration within the first place.
In all, Meta has acquired 9 studios which have demonstrated various post-acquisition efficiency—solely few of which have appeared to essentially break the mould by providing up more and more compelling follow-up content material.
Beat Video games – Recognized for Beat Saber, Acquired 2019
Meta acquired Beat Video games in 2019 to make sure that Beat Saber would proceed evolving with new options and content material, whereas emphasizing that the studio would preserve some independence.
Whereas the block-slashing rhythm sport has seen common updates and DLC music packs from main artists, maybe the largest addition to the sport itself, for the reason that acquisition, is the inclusion of multiplayer. In the meantime, different guarantees have gone unfulfilled, like customized sabers and a blended actuality mode—each of which have been teased however in the end by no means developed.
There’s been no elementary adjustments to the core Beat Saber components. One would possibly suppose that’s as a result of the once-innovative Beat Video games had moved on to its subsequent large venture. Alas, six years later there’s nonetheless no indication that Beat Video games is engaged on something however retaining Beat Saber going.
Then, in June 2025, Meta introduced Beat Saber was abandoning the PSVR/2 model of the sport, saying it’ll not be up to date, which included any new DLC or options past what’s already there. What’s extra, PSVR multiplayer is ready to be shutdown in early 2026. Amid the information, the staff teased there may be one thing in retailer, noting that the studio is now specializing in the “the subsequent large leap for Beat Saber.”
Beat Saber is among the most worthwhile VR video games thus far, having adopted a reasonably well-worn components by now. Till we hear about this “large leap,” we should always most likely assume extra of the identical: well known pop tracks supplied as full DLC packs, or ‘Shock Drop’ singles, and never a lot else.
Notably, studio founders Jan Ilavsky, Jaroslav Beck, and Vladimir Hrincar have all since left the corporate, leaving it more and more depending on Meta’s course.
Publish-acquisition Grade: B–
Sanzaru Video games – Recognized for Asgard’s Wrath, Acquired 2020
On the time of its 2020 acquisition, Meta indicated that Sanzaru would proceed to develop large-scale VR titles, constructing off the success of Asgard’s Wrath (2019), a Rift-exclusive RPG that got here out one yr earlier than the acquisition.
In 2023, the studio served up Asgard’s Wrath 2. Not solely did the studio ship a sequel, it managed to cram it inside the confines of Quest 2 and Quest 3, a difficult feat in comparison with the far more highly effective PC platform that its predecessor had shipped on.
The sequel is extensively thought-about a benchmark for visible constancy on Quest, nabbing the sport a strong [4.2/5] consumer assessment rating. But it surely took some severe time. It was almost 4 years from the acquisition to the launch of Asgard’s Wrath 2.
What’s extra, in January 2025, the studio launched its closing content material replace to Asgard’s Wrath 2, leaving it successfully on autopilot. Nonetheless, the studio says it’s engaged on its “subsequent large factor,” which to date hasn’t been revealed.
Publish-acquisition Grade: B+
Prepared at Daybreak – Recognized for Lone Echo & Echo VR, Acquired 2020, Closed 2024
Prepared at Daybreak is the studio behind Lone Echo, which launched in 2017 as one among VR’s greatest and finest wanting video games within the days earlier than Quest. Its signature zero-G locomotion was so versatile that the studio even spun out a separate multiplayer sport known as Echo VR.
Ultimately, improvement on Lone Echo II started, with introduced plans to launch in 2019. However a collection of delays ensued. Meta got here alongside and bought Prepared at Daybreak in 2020, seemingly keen to assist the studio full the sport and construct on the social success of Echo VR.
The studio did ultimately launch the single-player journey Lone Echo II for Rift in 2021. And given Meta’s shifting focus from PC to Quest, it was extensively anticipated the studio would deliver the still-loved Echo VR over to the brand new headset.
However issues didn’t work out that means. It was solely three years after the acquisition that Prepared at Daybreak introduced it was sunsetting Echo VR.
The choice rightfully disenchanted followers, though the studio mentioned it was “specializing in our subsequent venture,” which appeared promising. Then, in August 2024, Meta shut down the studio completely. So lengthy, and thanks for all of the fish.
Publish-acquisition Grade: F+ (thanks for making an attempt)
Downpour Interactive – Recognized for Onward, Acquired 2021, Closed 2025
Onward was a type of early mainstays for VR mil-sim gamers ever because it launched on Steam and Rift in 2016. With the acquisition of Downpour Interactive in 2021, Meta noticed this as a chance to assist a well-liked sport, noting on the time it wished to assist “in rising Onward as one of many foremost multiplayer VR video games.”
A yr earlier than its acquisition, Onward suffered a reasonably bumpy launch on Quest, though it noticed marked enhancements in stability and visuals through the years, garnering the sport a robust following to this present day and a whopping 18,000 consumer critiques on Quest, placing it at a strong [4.2/5] in consumer scores.
An ostensibly good sport with a cult following didn’t save the staff from wide-ranging layoffs in early 2023 although, which additionally affected sister studio Prepared at Daybreak. Notably, one month previous to layoffs, founder and CEO Dante Buckley left the corporate.
Then, in June 2025, Meta introduced it was shuttering Downpour Interactive following Onward’s large 2.0 replace. Remaining employees have been moved to sister studio Camouflaj. The sport isn’t useless, and multiplayer servers are nonetheless up, however you may take into account it formally on life assist.
