Meta’s VR Studio Acquisitions Since 2019: Key Updates
▼ Summary
– Meta acquired nine VR studios between 2019 and 2022 to expand its VR game portfolio, with mixed post-acquisition results.
– Beat Games, acquired in 2019, maintained Beat Saber with updates like multiplayer but failed to deliver promised features like custom sabers and mixed reality mode.
– Sanzaru Games, acquired in 2020, successfully released Asgard’s Wrath 2 in 2023 but has since shifted focus to an unannounced project.
– Ready at Dawn, acquired in 2020, released Lone Echo II but was shut down in 2024 after sunsetting Echo VR, marking a poor post-acquisition outcome.
– Downpour Interactive, acquired in 2021, improved Onward but was closed in 2025 after layoffs, with the game now maintained by another studio.
Meta has aggressively expanded its virtual reality portfolio through strategic studio acquisitions since 2019, aiming to dominate the VR gaming space. While some purchases have led to successful titles and continued innovation, others resulted in disappointing closures. Here’s a breakdown of how these studios have fared under Meta’s ownership.
Beat Games, the team behind the wildly popular Beat Saber, joined Meta in 2019. The acquisition ensured ongoing updates for the rhythm game, including multiplayer support and licensed music packs. However, promised features like custom sabers and mixed reality modes never materialized. Years later, the studio remains focused solely on Beat Saber, with no new projects announced. Recent news confirmed the end of support for the PSVR/2 version, hinting at an upcoming “big leap” for the franchise. Despite its profitability, the departure of key founders leaves the studio’s future direction uncertain.
Sanzaru Games, acquired in 2020, delivered Asgard’s Wrath 2 in 2023, a technical marvel for the Quest platform. The sequel earned praise for its visuals and depth, proving Sanzaru’s ability to adapt high-end VR experiences to standalone hardware. However, with no new content updates planned, the studio’s next project remains shrouded in mystery. While the sequel solidified Sanzaru’s reputation, the long development cycle raises questions about their output pace under Meta.
The story of Ready at Dawn is less optimistic. Known for Lone Echo and Echo VR, the studio was acquired in 2020 to bolster Meta’s social VR ambitions. Despite releasing Lone Echo II in 2021, Meta’s shift away from PC VR left Echo VR unsupported, leading to its shutdown. Worse, the studio itself was closed in 2024, cutting short any potential future projects. What began as a promising partnership ended abruptly, leaving fans disillusioned.
Downpour Interactive, creators of the tactical shooter Onward, joined Meta in 2021. The game maintained a dedicated player base, but layoffs in 2023 and the departure of its founder signaled trouble. By mid-2025, Meta dissolved the studio, reassigning remaining staff while keeping Onward’s servers running. Though the game survives, its development has effectively stalled.
Meta’s studio acquisitions reveal a mixed track record. While some teams thrived with expanded resources, others struggled under shifting corporate priorities. For VR enthusiasts, these moves highlight both the potential and pitfalls of consolidation in the industry. The future of Meta’s VR ecosystem hinges on whether its remaining studios can deliver groundbreaking experiences, or if further closures loom ahead.
(Source: ROADTOVR)
