Ready at Daybreak, a venerable recreation studio that when labored on God Battle and Daxter amongst different tasks, is closing its doorways. Android Central reports that Meta is shuttering the studio efficient instantly, with staff being inspired to use for different positions inside Oculus Studios.

The closure follows Meta’s determination to discontinue Echo VR in 2023, which coincided with main layoffs impacting a 3rd of the studio. Oculus Studios had beforehand acquired Ready at Daybreak, which had discovered success with the Lone Echo collection, to develop VR video games for its platforms.

Brutal to listen to in regards to the closure of Ready at Daybreak. Right here’s a documentary I made in regards to the studio whereas at Recreation Informer. Woof, double-whammy of unhappiness this week. https://t.co/Nd9NU5vqkH

— Ben Hanson (@yozetty) August 7, 2024

“As many have already heard, this morning Ready At Daybreak Studios is closing its doorways. I have been at RAD for over 10 years and I’m extremely unhappy to see this glorious group I’ve grown to like be damaged aside this manner,” designer director Robert Duncan wrote. “That stated, at least for now I am making an attempt to focus my effort on (and, let’s be sincere, distract myself by) discovering strong locations for all my expensive buddies to land. If anybody has any leads/positions they’d prefer to share, please be happy to succeed in out to me immediately and I am going to strive my greatest to get you in contact with good people that could be .”

The video games business mourned the closure on social media and elsewhere, with many describing it as underappreciated. MinnMax founder Ben Hanson posted a documentary he produced with Recreation Informer that gives a snapshot of the studio circa 2014, when it was preparing to release The Order: 1886.

Ready at Daybreak’s historical past extends all the best way again to 2003, when it was fashioned by former staff of Naughty Canine and Blizzard Leisure. It was notably well-known for its prowess on the PlayStation Transportable, producing a number of God of Battle video games for the platform.

Following the combined reception of The Order: 1886, Ready at Daybreak started to maneuver into VR, releasing Lone Echo for the Oculus Rift in 2017. We wrote at the time, “Lone Echo and Echo Enviornment are the uncommon video games that show the true worth of VR and hand monitoring. Its sense of motion feels nice, and it couldn’t exist in some other means.”

After it was bought by Oculus Studios in 2021, Ready at Daybreak launched Lone Echo II, however in any other case has not put out a recreation since. A report in mid-July acknowledged that Meta was reportedly reducing its Actuality Labs division’s funds by 20 % in 2026 with a view to make a “higher long-term affect” in VR growth. Meta subsequently instructed Android Central that this is not a sign “wider cuts” to the quantity of first-party video games on Quest.

Ready at Daybreak is one many recreation studios to shut in 2024, becoming a member of Tango Gameworks, Arkane Austin, Roll7, and extra in what has been a tough 12 months for video games. For extra, try our deep dive into the layoffs impacting the video games business.

Kat Bailey is IGN’s Information Director in addition to co-host of Nintendo Voice Chat. Have a tip? Ship her a DM at @the_katbot.