Sure, here’s a rewrite with a more chaotic, human tone:
Man, between 2019 and 2022, Meta was like a kid in a candy store, snapping up VR studios like crazy. We’re talking nine of them! It’s wild. So, I’m thinking, let’s take a messy stroll through all this to see where things went right or totally off the rails.
Quick note: Updated this piece in late 2024, just trying to keep track of whatever Meta’s up to. It’s like herding cats.
So when Meta swoops in and buys a studio, a few things usually happen. They’ve got cash, sure, and suddenly these studios have access to iconic stuff and a sense of security. I guess a little less wiggle room too, since they have to keep churning out what got them noticed. Makes sense, right? Anyway, nine studios jumped on board, and they’ve all gone in different directions. Only a handful have really set the bar higher, but hey, not everyone’s a winner.
Beat Games – Remember Beat Saber? Bought in 2019
This is where things get interesting. Meta grabs Beat Games to keep Beat Saber’s heart beating, with new features and music thrown in. They promised the studio could keep a little independence, whatever that means.
So yeah, regular updates, huge music packs, and heck, even multiplayer got tossed in. But then they dropped the ball with cool stuff like custom sabers. Everyone was waiting, but nada. Even teased a mixed reality mode—didn’t happen. Frustrating much?
Core game still feels the same. I thought they were cooking up a new project by now. Nope. Six years of same ol’, same ol’. Oh, and then come June 2025, they said, "See ya,” to the PSVR/2 version. No more updates or DLC for you. Multiplayer? Shutting down by 2026. But wait, there’s something big coming. Or so they say. Until then, it’s pop tunes and singles galore.
Oh, and fun tidbit: All the founders left. It’s more Meta’s pet project now.
Grade after Meta swoop: B– (I guess they tried?)
Sanzaru Games – Asgard’s Wrath was their thing, Bought 2020
Back in 2020, Meta snagged Sanzaru. They were like, "Keep those big VR games coming!" Asgard’s Wrath from 2019 was their golden goose.
Fast forward to 2023, and boom, Asgard’s Wrath 2 hits. Threw it onto Quest 2 and 3 even though everyone expected it on PC. Visuals? Top-notch, really. Scored a decent 4.2/5 from users, so yeah, not bad. Took four years though. Would’ve helped if it was faster. Just sayin’.
Last update was in early 2025, then they just sort of ghosted and said they’re working on something else. What’s next? Your guess is as good as mine.
Grade after Meta swoop: B+ (Props for effort)
Ready at Dawn – Lone Echo & Echo VR, Snagged in 2020, Closed ’24
Ready at Dawn, the minds behind Lone Echo, a VR epic from 2017. Zero-G adventure, had my head spinning. They spun off Echo VR multiplayer before Meta came knocking in 2020.
Lone Echo II finally saw daylight in 2021, but man, people expected it on Quest. Echo VR too. But nah, things went south. A few years in, Ready at Dawn hit pause on Echo VR. Fans weren’t too happy.
Claimed they were brewing something new. Never saw it, ‘cause in 2024, the whole studio got axed by Meta. So long, Ready at Dawn.
Grade after Meta swoop: F+ (A for effort? I dunno.)
Downpour Interactive – Onward, Bought 2021, Closed ’25
Onward’s been around since 2016, and VR mil-sim fans ate it up. Meta snagged Downpour in 2021, looking to pump up the multiplayer action. They had hiccups on Quest, but rebounded, racking up 18,000 reviews and a solid 4.2/5.
Then, bam, 2023 hit, and layoffs hit hard, even at Ready at Dawn. The founder left too. By June 2025, Meta called it quits on Downpour, merging folks into Camouflaj. Servers are up, but not for long. You know how it goes.
Grade after Meta swoop: D+ (Better luck next time?)
So, yeah, these studio acquisitions? A mixed bag. Some gold, some not-so-gold. Anyways, moving on.
