Vertigo Games, the talented team behind well-known VR experiences like the Arizona Sunshine series and Metro Awakening (2024), has decided to part ways with SpringboardVR, a platform famous for its VR content distribution in location-based entertainment (LBE).
Back in 2021, Vertigo Games took the reins of SpringboardVR, expressing enthusiasm to guide it toward greater achievements in the burgeoning world of VR. Fast forward to now, and SynthesisVR, a top player in virtual reality LBE management software, has stepped in to acquire SpringboardVR, with the deal set to finalize on February 1st, 2025. The purchase price remains under wraps.
Through a joint statement, the companies laid out their vision for this new chapter. They believe this acquisition marks a pivotal moment, setting a sturdy foundation for arcade operators and developers alike. Both SpringboardVR and SynthesisVR plan to operate separately while pledging to support the ongoing success of location-based VR. By combining forces under the Deploy Reality umbrella, they aim to enrich options and resources for operators, laying the groundwork for future growth and creativity in the VR arcade space.
Vertigo Games, headquartered in the Netherlands, has made a name for itself with a slew of sought-after VR titles. Notable mentions include Metro Awakening (2024), multiple entries in the Arizona Sunshine series, and the thrilling LBE adaptations of Arizona Sunshine and Space Pirate Trainer. They’ve also garnered attention for multiplayer games like Eclipse and Ghost Patrol VR.
Despite no longer being directly linked with SpringboardVR, Vertigo Games assures it remains “deeply invested in the future of location-based VR,” bolstered by its ongoing collaboration with SynthesisVR. The XR developer and publisher is keen to continue crafting both LBE VR experiences and exciting content for home users.
Richard Stitselaar, CEO of Vertigo Games, shared insights on their strategy moving forward. He emphasized that the transition allows Vertigo Games to hone in on content innovation while SynthesisVR advances the platform’s capabilities. This strengthened partnership is seen as a way to offer both operators and creators advanced, cutting-edge solutions that deliver captivating, next-generation entertainment to audiences.
While the decision might not hint at financial distress, it comes amid a rough patch for the industry. Recent weeks have witnessed layoffs affecting Swedish developer Fast Travel Games, known for VR hits like Action Hero (2024) and Mannequin (2024), as well as Soul Assembly of Drop Dead fame.
This period of economic instability, which began late last year, also hit veteran XR studio nDreams hard. They faced staff reductions following the release of titles such as Frenzies (2024) and Vendetta Forever (2024). The trend continued with XR Games, developers of Hitman 3 VR: Reloaded (2024), who made significant cuts last October.
Similarly, Canadian studio Archiact, known for their VR version of DOOM 3 (2021), and social VR platform VRChat have also navigated through workforce downsizing, showcasing the challenging landscape the industry currently faces.
