Meta Shuts Down Ready at Dawn, Creator of Lone Echo and God of War

Aug 07, 2024 10:02 PM

Ready at Dawn, a notable game studio known for its work on the God of War franchise and the Lone Echo series, has officially closed its doors after two decades in the industry. This decision comes from Meta, which encourages former employees to seek positions within Oculus Studios. The studio faced difficulties following substantial layoffs and the discontinuation of Echo VR in 2023. Notably, Ready at Dawn gained recognition for its success on the PlayStation Portable with multiple God of War titles before pivoting into VR with the delivery of Lone Echo, hailed for its innovative gameplay. The closure has elicited an outpouring of sadness from the gaming community, showcasing the studio's underappreciated talent and contributions to the industry.

nWhat led to the closure of Ready at Dawn?

The closure of Ready at Dawn resulted from Meta's ongoing strategy to streamline its operations, compounded by previous layoffs and the fallout from discontinuing projects like Echo VR. This decision reflects broader industry challenges, affecting several studios this year.

Ready at Dawn was established in 2003 by veterans from Naughty Dog and Blizzard Entertainment and quickly became prominent for its ability to craft engaging handheld experiences. The studio was instrumental in developing several critically acclaimed titles for the PlayStation Portable, enhancing the legacy of the God of War series. Transitioning to VR with Lone Echo, it demonstrated a unique vision in gaming technology, making its closure a significant loss for the development community.

Written by:

Jordan Keats

Jordan Keats is a former professional gamer turned journalist, whose competitive background gives them a unique perspective on esports and multiplayer games. Jordan's expertise in strategy and game mechanics is unmatched, offering readers a deeper understing.

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Miss Peachy commented on: 2024-08-07 23:48:05
It's always a bummer to see a studio like Ready at Dawn close its doors, especially after all the joy they brought to so many players. Their innovative spirit, particularly in the world of VR, will be missed, but I hope the talented folks find great new opportunities

Mr. Bison commented on: 2024-08-07 23:42:03
It's a real bummer to see Ready at Dawn shut down— they brought so much creativity to both the God of War series and VR with Lone Echo. Their unique contributions will definitely be missed in the gaming landscape, reminding us how tough the industry can be.

Rolling R!ck commented on: 2024-08-07 23:36:04
It's always tough to see a talented studio like Ready at Dawn close its doors, especially given their impressive legacy in both handheld and VR gaming. This just highlights the unpredictable nature of the industry, where even the most innovative teams can struggle amidst shifting priorities.