Renowned PSVR Game Developer Closes Its Doors After 12 Years

PlayStation VR made its debut in 2016, and just two years later, Polyarc launched Moss, a charming puzzle adventure featuring a lovable mouse named Quill. The game garnered multiple award nominations, showcasing that virtual reality could offer more than just novelty in gaming experiences. Following a sequel and a non-VR version, Polyarc has announced its closure.

“After nearly 12 years of the exhilarating journey that is game development, our time together has come to an end,” the studio shared in a LinkedIn statement. “As we wrap up active development, we are bidding farewell to one another.”

They added, “Collaborating over these years has been a true honor. It has been a privilege to bring joy and surprise to those who played our games. Thank you to everyone at Polyarc; our work is now complete. Polyarc has been home to outstanding developers across various fields. If you are hiring, please see the link below.”

The VR landscape has been challenging for many, including studios like Polyarc that crafted unique and memorable games. Moss: Book II launched in 2022 for PS VR2, successfully building on the combat and emotional depth of its predecessor, even winning the title of best VR game at The Game Awards 2022.

However, advancements in technology have not significantly broadened VR’s audience or the market for specialized games. While companies like Valve continue to push forward with new headset innovations, others, including Meta and PlayStation, have scaled back their efforts. Earlier this year, Polyarc released versions of both Moss games adapted for standard 2D displays, but much of the original charm was lost in translation.

“Goodbye Polyarc, you (and Quill) will be remembered,” wrote former PlayStation executive Shuhei Yoshida, who played a key role in the company’s VR initiatives, on X. “We had great times together.”