PlayStation VR's Firewall studio shuts down
Jan 02, 2024 3:04 PMIn a significant development within the VR gaming industry, First Contact Entertainment, the developer known for its Firewall series for PlayStation VR, has announced the closure of its studio. The company has been active for nearly eight years but cited the lack of industry support for virtual reality as the primary reason for its shutdown. The statement highlighted the financial impracticality of continuing operations as a AAA VR developer. First Contact Entertainment's contributions to VR gaming include notable titles such as Firewall Zero Hour for PS VR and the more recent Firewall Ultra for PS VR2, as well as Solaris Offworld Combat which was released on PS VR and Oculus platforms. The closure of the studio marks a moment of reflection on the challenges faced by VR-focused game developers.
Why has First Contact Entertainment, the studio behind Firewall Zero Hour, closed its doors?First Contact Entertainment has closed its doors due to the lack of support for virtual reality in the gaming industry, which made it financially unsustainable for them to continue as a AAA VR developer.
First Contact Entertainment, founded in 2016, quickly became a respected name in the VR industry. Their debut with the highly tactical shooter Firewall Zero Hour leveraged the immersive capabilities of VR, leading to a significant fanbase and acclaim for its engaging multiplayer gameplay. Competing in an emerging market, First Contact Entertainment aimed to provide AAA-quality experiences in virtual reality, a medium still finding its foothold within the broader gaming landscape. Their decision to cease operations underscores the volatility and the growth challenges this niche within the gaming industry is currently facing.
Casey Loh
Casey Loh is a tech-savvy writer who specializes in the intersection of gaming and technology. With a background in computer science, Casey brings a technical lens to her reviews, breaking down the nuts and bolts of game engines, graphics, and AI innovation.
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Stimpy commented on: 2024-01-02 15:40:13
Always tough to see a pioneer in the VR space like First Contact Entertainment hang up their gloves—shows just how rough the waters are for VR devs trying to deliver AAA experiences. Their closure is a real gut check for the industry, highlighting that even with talent and a solid fanbase, the VR market's support structures aren't where they need to be... yet.
Sephiroth commented on: 2024-01-02 15:40:05
It's a real bummer to hear about First Contact Entertainment packing up. Their departure is a stark reminder of the fragile state of the VR industry, despite turning out some solid hits like Firewall Zero Hour.
Mr. Bison commented on: 2024-01-02 15:30:09
Tough break for VR enthusiasts; First Contact Entertainment shutting down is a real gut punch, considering how Firewall Zero Hour showed us the untapped potential of immersive tactical shooters. It's a stark reminder that even with solid titles, the path for VR devs is still fraught with steep hills and industry support that's more promise than practice right now.
N3rdo commented on: 2024-01-02 15:30:09
Man, it's a bummer hearing about First Contact Entertainment shutting down, especially since they were pioneers in making VR feel more mainstream with their Firewall series. It just goes to show that even with talent and a passion for immersive experiences, the VR industry still has some leveling up to do before it can fully support AAA devs.
