Meta’s Acquisition of 9 Top VR Studios Since 2019: Developments and Impact

Between 2019 and 2022, Meta went on a kind of studio shopping spree. Like, grabbing seasoned game makers like they were on sale. They got nine VR studios, and honestly, it was quite the whirlwind. Anyway, here’s a peek at what’s gone down in these past years, from big wins to serious faceplants.

Note: I had this epiphany that it’s October 2024—yeah, time flies, right? So, we’re keeping tabs on Meta’s grand VR experiments.

When Meta buys a studio, it’s like—hello unlimited snacks and high-speed Wi-Fi. They get resources, get to rub shoulders with some of the cool game titles, and a nice sense of security. But then, not everything’s rosy because, ya know, it’s kind of like joining the tech giant’s version of the Borg—less freedom and all about keeping that original game love alive.

Okay, so Meta’s scooped up nine studios. Some have done, well, better than others. A few of ’em really broke the mold, though.

Beat Games – Famous for Beat Saber, Bought in 2019

So, Meta nabbed Beat Games back in 2019. Their idea? Keep Beat Saber sizzling with new stuff and keep ’em cool enough to do their own thing—well, somewhat.

The game’s been getting steady updates and some seriously fire music packs. Multiplayer? Yup, that’s been tossed into the mix. But where’s the custom sabers? And the mixed reality mode we were promised? A whole pile of nada. So, yeah, the core of Beat Saber hasn’t shifted much. Maybe Beat Games was eyeing a new venture? Maybe pigs fly. Fast-forward six years and they’re still essentially dancing to the same beat.

Oh, here’s a kicker. June 2025 rolls in and they decide PSVR/2 gets no more love. Like, no updates, no new stuff, zilch. Multiplayer going bye-bye in early 2026. But—get this—they hint at something big cooking. Possibly.

Beat Saber’s racking in the VR dough; it’s like that golden goose that plays pop hits. But till that "big leap" happens, it’s more of the same track-laden path. Fun fact: the founders—Jan, Jaroslav, and Vladimir—well, they’ve left the building, making Beat Games more Meta-ized.

Post-acquisition Vibes: B–

Sanzaru Games – You Know ‘Em from Asgard’s Wrath, Got Snatched in 2020

Back in 2020, Meta swooped in on Sanzaru, buzzing about Sanzaru churning out epic VR tales. Asgard’s Wrath shot to fame in 2019—a Rift gem—right before the big Meta hug.

Zip to 2023 and boom: Asgard’s Wrath 2’s here. And what’s crazy? They squeezed it onto the Quest 2 and 3, basically trying to fit your whole wardrobe into a carry-on.

It’s a visual stunner, if you ask me, scoring a crispy [4.2/5] from users. But gee, it took its sweet time. Like, four years post-acquisition to hit shelves.

By January 2025, Asgard’s Wrath 2 gets its last content sprinkle. Now, it’s just chillin’. But rumors say they’re crafting the “next big thing.” I’m skeptical but intrigued.

Post-acquisition Vibes: B+

Ready at Dawn – We Know ‘Em from Lone Echo & Echo VR, Acquired 2020, Closed 2024

Remember Lone Echo’s zero-G moves? I do. Ready at Dawn whipped that up back in 2017—before Quest was a name to mention. Its Echo VR spin-off? Fan favorite.

Lone Echo II? It got delayed more times than I hit snooze. But Meta grabbed ’em in 2020, helping them roll it out in 2021. Internet hoped for Echo VR on Quest—dream dashed. What happened? Well, early 2024, they shut down Echo VR and a few months later—poof—Ready at Dawn’s curtains fell. See ya later, space explorer.

Post-acquisition Vibes: F+ (Props for the effort)

Downpour Interactive – Creators of Onward, Acquired 2021, Closed 2025

Onward, the darling of VR mil-sim since 2016. Meta decided to add it to their trophies in 2021, eyeing multiplayer fame with promises and lots of mutual back-patting.

Onward on Quest? Rocky out the gate but gradually ironed out. Players loved it. 18,000 reviews on Quest say a lot, with a [4.2/5] rating if numbers are your jam.

But ah, layoffs hit hard in 2023. Founders? Gone with the wind. By June 2025, Meta pulled the plug on Downpour, shuffling remaining folks to Camouflaj studio. Onward’s servers? Still bearable, but it’s clinical at this point.

Post-acquisition Vibes: D+

Anyway, wait… next page should be here, right? Oh well, ended my thought mid-air.