Vertigo Games, well-known for hits like the Arizona Sunshine series and Metro Awakening from last year, has just made a significant change in their business lineup. They’ve sold SpringboardVR, a platform dedicated to distributing VR content for location-based entertainment (LBE), to SynthesisVR.
Back in 2021, Vertigo Games acquired SpringboardVR with big plans, aiming to steer the platform towards a promising future as VR continued to grow rapidly. Fast forward to now, and the baton has been passed to SynthesisVR, a leading name in the virtual reality LBE management software space. The handover, for which financial details remain under wraps, is set to be finalized on February 1, 2025.
In response, both parties released a joint statement, highlighting how this acquisition will bolster the VR arcade industry. “This move lays a strong foundation for future growth by supporting arcade operators and developers. Although SpringboardVR and SynthesisVR will operate separately, being part of Deploy Reality shows a long-term commitment to advancing location-based VR. This merger gives operators added tools and resources, further fueling the expansion of VR arcades worldwide.”
Vertigo Games, based in the Netherlands, has established a solid reputation with a range of popular VR titles. Among these are Metro Awakening, the Arizona Sunshine Remake, Arizona Sunshine 2, and engaging LBE versions of Arizona Sunshine and Space Pirate Trainer. They’ve also been busy with multiplayer ventures like Eclipse and Ghost Patrol VR.
Even though they’ve parted ways with SpringboardVR, Vertigo Games is still deeply committed to the VR arcade scene. They’ve expressed their dedication to this realm in their ongoing partnership with SynthesisVR, promising to continue crafting engaging VR experiences both for arcades and at-home audiences.
Richard Stitselaar, the CEO of Vertigo Games, shares, “We’re all in on the future of VR arcades. This shift allows us to laser-focus on creating captivating content, while SynthesisVR enhances the platform side of things. By reinforcing our collaboration, both operators and developers can expect innovative solutions that we hope will deliver top-notch, immersive entertainment.”
This move from Vertigo Games comes amidst a backdrop of economic challenges hitting the industry. Recently, Swedish studio Fast Travel Games, known for Action Hero and Mannequin, experienced layoffs. Similarly, Soul Assembly, the creators of Drop Dead, faced a similar fate.
Late last year, even established XR studio nDreams had to tighten its belt, affecting teams behind titles like Frenzies, Vendetta Forever, and Hitman 3 VR: Reloaded. XR Games, too, dealt with substantial layoffs. In Canada, Archiact, famed for the VR port of DOOM 3, had to cut staff, and social VR platform VRChat let go of 30% of its workforce in January 2024. These cuts highlight the ongoing financial turbulence affecting the industry at large.
