One of the biggest VR developers in the business closes a studio: 'The VR market remains a challenging space'
One of the most prominent VR developers in the industry, Vertigo Games, has announced that it will be closing its Amsterdam studio. The studio is known for its work on titles such as Arizona Sunshine VR, The 7th Guest VR, Thief VR: Legacy of Shadow, and Metro Awakening. In a message shared on LinkedIn, CEO Richard Stitselaar stated, "The VR market remains a challenging space, and after careful consideration, we have made the difficult decision to close Vertigo Studios Amsterdam. This is not a decision we have taken lightly, and I want to acknowledge the impact it has on everyone at Vertigo Studios Amsterdam." The number of employees affected by the closure was not disclosed.
The VR Market's Struggles
Despite high expectations when Vertigo was acquired by the Embracer Group in 2020, the studio has faced significant challenges in the VR space. At the time of the acquisition, Stitselaar optimistically noted that "the VR gaming market seems to be on the edge of really taking off." However, that hasn't materialized. The Steam Hardware and Software Survey continues to highlight the low rate of VR adoption, with many users still hesitant to invest in the necessary hardware.
The situation is not unique to Vertigo. Earlier this year, Meta, the parent company of Facebook, closed three VR studios and laid off 10% of its Reality Labs workforce. Just two months later, Meta announced the end of the VR version of Meta Horizon Worlds, signaling a shift in the company's focus away from VR.
The Cost of VR Hardware
One of the major barriers to VR adoption is the high cost of hardware. While the technology has improved, the price of VR headsets and accessories continues to be a deterrent for many potential users. This has led to a situation where even high-profile VR games are reaching a limited audience. For example, when Thief VR, developed by Maze Theory and published by Vertigo, was announced in 2025, Fraser Brown from PC Gamer criticized the decision as "a huge slap in the face and kick in the teeth for everyone who has been waiting for more than a decade to return to the City." He pointed out that the game was locking a foundational PC series behind a "gimmick."
This sentiment resonates with many who have followed the Metro series, including the release of Metro Awakening in 2024. The game, which was only available in VR, raised eyebrows among fans who couldn't access it due to the lack of VR hardware. However, the situation was somewhat softened by the fact that 4A Games was working on the next mainline Metro game, Metro 2039.
Shifting Focus in VR Development
It seems that Vertigo may be shifting its focus as well. The studio’s most recent release, The 7th Guest Remake, is essentially a flatscreen version of the VR game that launched in 2023. This suggests that the company is exploring different avenues to reach a broader audience. Additionally, during the Future Games Show this past weekend, Vertigo revealed that a non-VR version of Arizona Sunshine is also in the works.
As the VR market continues to evolve, it remains to be seen whether these changes will help studios like Vertigo navigate the challenges they face. For now, the closure of the Amsterdam studio serves as a stark reminder of the difficulties inherent in developing for the VR space.
