AEXLAB, the creative minds behind the VR shooter game Vail, released in 2024, have just announced their new crowd-investment campaign aimed at fueling further development of the game. Impressively, they’ve already amassed over $5.5 million in revenue, thanks to the 300,000+ unique players across both PC VR and Quest platforms who’ve jumped into their multiplayer shooter world.
Unlike the usual crowdfunding you might be familiar with, where you essentially pre-purchase a product to help launch a project, AEXLAB is taking a different approach. Based out of Miami, Florida, the studio is opting for an equity crowd-investment model to back the long-term growth of Vail. This is akin to what Virtuix did to roll out their Omni One VR treadmill last year. Essentially, AEXLAB is inviting individuals to buy into the company by purchasing common stock. They’ve set the stage for this on their investment page, where you can begin investing with a minimum of $1,000, with each share currently priced at $36.52.
It’s important to note that shares in private companies like this usually aren’t as easily traded as those on the public stock exchanges. To see a return on their investment, shareholders would be counting on AEXLAB either being acquired by another company or going public through an IPO. Both outcomes are long-term plays, as the studio mentions in their FAQ, suggesting a timeline of “approximately 5-10 years” or more.
Right now, predicting the growth trajectory of the XR (Extended Reality) industry is anyone’s guess. However, AEXLAB appears to be reaching out to individuals who not only believe in the potential of XR exploding within that timeframe but also have faith in AEXLAB’s capability to ride that wave successfully.
“We’ve built something extraordinary with your support so far,” the studio shared. “It’s crucial for us to offer our longtime community members the opportunity to be a part of our upcoming journey. Here’s your chance to join us as we elevate VAIL VR to realms we’ve only dreamed of before.”
So, how far can Vail reach? Since its early 2024 launch on platforms like SteamVR and Quest, it has tapped into a unique free-to-play and paid content hybrid model. Players can explore the Citadel location for free, indulging in 1v1 battles and experimenting with various gameplay mechanics and weapons. Yet, for the full multiplayer suite, players need to unlock it by purchasing access. By all indications, this model is hitting the mark successfully.
As it stands, Vail boasts a 4.8 out of 5 rating on the Quest’s Horizon Store, supported by over 13,000 reviews, and maintains a ‘Very Positive’ rating on Steam, with feedback from over 2,300 users.
