Vertigo Games, the creative force behind the Arizona Sunshine series and the 2024 title, Metro Awakening, has recently made an intriguing business move by selling off SpringboardVR, the platform that specializes in distributing VR content for location-based entertainment venues.
Back in 2021, Vertigo Games had taken the helm of SpringboardVR, expressing ambitions to steer the platform into an anticipated era of VR growth and opportunity. Fast forward to now, and SynthesisVR, a key player in virtual reality management software for LBE, has snapped up SpringboardVR. The deal is set to be finalized on February 1st, 2025, although the financial details remain under wraps.
The companies, in their joint statement, emphasized how this acquisition would bolster the VR industry. “This merger lays a robust foundation for arcade operators and developers alike, promising sustainable growth and innovation as we step into the next chapter of VR,” they shared. Both platforms are expected to operate independently, ensuring uninterrupted services, yet their unification under the Deploy Reality umbrella signals a strong, future-driven commitment to location-based VR. This strategic partnership is aimed at enhancing global VR arcades, providing them with an abundance of options and resources.
Vertigo Games, based in the Netherlands, has carved out a solid reputation with its array of beloved VR games. These include not only Metro Awakening (2024) and the Arizona Sunshine series and its LBE adaptations but also popular multiplayer offerings like Eclipse and Ghost Patrol VR.
Even though they’ve given up direct control over SpringboardVR, Vertigo Games isn’t stepping back from the LBE VR scene. They continue to maintain a significant partnership with SynthesisVR, intending to balance their focus between creating in-home consumer content and immersive experiences for VR arcades.
Richard Stitselaar, CEO of Vertigo Games, reinforced this commitment: “We’re fully devoted to the transformation of VR arcades. With this new direction, we can hone in on innovating content while SynthesisVR leads the way in platform evolution. By fortifying our enduring partnership, we ensure both developers and operators gain access to more advanced and forward-thinking solutions, presenting audiences with next-gen entertainment.”
While this news isn’t tied to financial distress, it does unfold against a backdrop of recent economic challenges in the sector. This month alone saw layoffs at Fast Travel Games in Sweden, creators of VR releases like Action Hero (2024) and Mannequin (2024), as well as at Soul Assembly, the studio behind Drop Dead.
Last year also witnessed budgetary cutbacks at nDreams, a seasoned XR studio known for games like Frenzies (2024) and Vendetta Forever (2024). Similarly, XR Games, responsible for Hitman 3 VR: Reloaded (2024), experienced major staff reductions. Canadian firm Archiact, creators of the VR port of DOOM 3 (2021), and social VR platform VRChat, which cut 30% of its workforce, have also felt the crunch of the ongoing industry struggles.
