The virtual reality and game development team Ready at Dawn, responsible for building the acclaimed Lone Echo game, have been acquired by Facebook. Although the studio will continue to be run as an “independent studio,” this acquisition marks a significant milestone in the evolution of both companies. Ready at Dawn was founded in 2003 and is composed of former members of Naughty Dog and Blizzard Entertainment, two of the most respected names in the gaming industry.
Ready at Dawn’s Journey and Achievements
Ready at Dawn has a rich history of creating immersive and engaging games. Before venturing into the realm of virtual reality, the studio was known for its work on the God of War series for the PlayStation Portable, as well as the critically acclaimed game The Order: 1886 for the PlayStation 4. These titles showcased the studio’s ability to craft visually stunning and narratively compelling experiences.
The studio’s first VR game, Lone Echo, was launched in 2017 and offers players a virtual reality adventure set aboard a space station orbiting Saturn. The game was praised for its innovative zero-gravity movement mechanics and deep storytelling. Players take on the role of Jack, an advanced artificial intelligence, who assists Captain Olivia Rhodes in navigating the perils of space. The game’s success solidified Ready at Dawn’s reputation as a pioneer in VR gaming.
A sequel, Lone Echo II, was announced in 2018 and is currently under development, with a release expected sometime later this year. The anticipation for Lone Echo II is high, as fans eagerly await to continue the story and explore new challenges in the immersive VR environment. Whether this release timeline will be affected by the acquisition by Facebook has yet to be confirmed, but the partnership is expected to bring additional resources and support to the development process.
Expanding the Oculus Ecosystem
Ready at Dawn is now part of Oculus Studios and will focus on creating more virtual reality games for the Oculus platform. This acquisition is a strategic move by Facebook to bolster its VR content offerings and enhance the Oculus ecosystem. The companies’ collaboration is expected to lead to the development of groundbreaking VR experiences that push the boundaries of what is possible in virtual reality.
In addition to the narrative single-player game, Lone Echo includes a team-based multiplayer sports mode called Echo Arena. Echo Arena was also released as a stand-alone game and has garnered a dedicated player base. The game features fast-paced, zero-gravity gameplay where players compete in a futuristic sport, combining elements of ultimate frisbee and handball. Echo Arena has been praised for its competitive gameplay and has even been featured in VR esports tournaments.
The acquisition by Facebook is likely to result in more innovative VR titles from Ready at Dawn, leveraging the studio’s expertise and Facebook’s resources. This partnership could lead to the development of new game genres and experiences that further establish VR as a mainstream entertainment medium.
Moreover, the integration of Ready at Dawn into Oculus Studios aligns with Facebook’s broader vision for the future of VR and AR (augmented reality). Facebook has been investing heavily in VR and AR technologies, with the goal of creating a more connected and immersive digital world. The addition of Ready at Dawn to its portfolio is a testament to Facebook’s commitment to advancing the VR industry.
As the VR market continues to grow, the collaboration between Ready at Dawn and Facebook is poised to play a significant role in shaping the future of virtual reality gaming. Fans of the studio’s work can look forward to more high-quality, immersive experiences that push the boundaries of storytelling and gameplay.
Source: Eurogamer
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