VR Pioneer and ‘Primal Hunt’ Developer Phaser Lock Interactive to Close Its Doors

Phaser Lock Interactive, the studio renowned for its Quest exclusive "Primal Hunt" (2023) and a range of pioneering PC VR games, has announced its closure, attributing the decision to the difficult economic situation and the current challenges within the gaming industry.

Based in Austin, Texas, this VR studio was founded in 2015 and quickly established a name for itself with PC VR titles like the bow-shooter "Twisted Arrow" (2016) and strategic games such as "Final Approach" (2016) and "Final Assault" (2019).

Earlier in 2023, Phaser Lock launched the dinosaur-hunting adventure "Primal Hunt," which cleverly adapted the bow-shooting mechanics from "Twisted Arrow" into a single-player quest reminiscent of Turok, available solely on the Quest platform.

Despite "Primal Hunt" achieving a respectable 4.3 out of 5 user rating on the Horizon Store, it struggled to captivate a wide audience. Up until now, the game, rated ‘M’ and priced at $30, has been reviewed by only 201 users.

After the Quest release of "Primal Hunt," Phaser Lock transitioned from focusing solely on VR to developing a multiplayer variant for Roblox. This free-to-play adaptation performed impressively on the platform, amassing over 5.4 million visits. However, the last update for the game was seen in April 2024, leaving fans pondering about the game’s future.

In June 2024, Michael Daubert, the co-founder and then-executive of the studio, departed, as noted on LinkedIn, casting further uncertainty on the studio’s future and ambitions.

The studio shared the following heartfelt announcement on their website:

END OF AN ERA

"It is with great sadness that we share the news that Phaser Lock Interactive is closing its doors. Despite putting enormous effort into making our vision a reality, the tough economic conditions and the state of the gaming industry have left us with no choice but to cease operations. We are deeply grateful to our devoted fans and the incredible community that has walked with us on this journey. Your passion, encouragement, and steadfast support have been invaluable. Although this chapter has come to an end, the memories we’ve made together will endure. Thank you for being an integral part of our story."