Vertigo Games, the Studio Behind ‘Metro Awakening’, Sells VR Arcade Platform SpringboardVR

Vertigo Games, the creative minds behind the Arizona Sunshine series and Metro Awakening (2024), recently made headlines by selling SpringboardVR, a platform dedicated to distributing VR content for location-based entertainment.

Back in 2021, Vertigo Games took the reins of SpringboardVR, expressing their eagerness to guide it into a promising era of growth within the VR industry. Fast forward to today, SynthesisVR, a leading name in virtual reality LBE management software, has purchased SpringboardVR for an undisclosed amount, with the deal officially starting on February 1st, 2025.

In a joint statement, the companies involved highlighted that this acquisition is likely to boost the sector by providing a solid foundation for arcade operators and developers alike, paving the way for consistent growth and innovation in VR’s future. Though SpringboardVR and SynthesisVR will operate separately to ensure business continuity, their shared efforts under Deploy Reality underscore a strong dedication to enhancing location-based VR, offering more choices and resources to operators. This strategic move aims to play a vital role in the evolution and success of VR arcades globally by combining the strengths of both platforms.

Hailing from the Netherlands, Vertigo Games is renowned for popular VR experiences such as Metro Awakening (2024), the remade Arizona Sunshine (2024), Arizona Sunshine 2 (2023), and LBE versions of fan-favorites like Arizona Sunshine and Space Pirate Trainer. Their portfolio also includes multiplayer hits like Eclipse and Ghost Patrol VR.

Even without a direct connection to SpringboardVR now, Vertigo Games stresses their ongoing commitment to advancing location-based VR in collaboration with SynthesisVR, continuing to develop VR experiences for both LBE and home-use scenarios.

Richard Stitselaar, CEO of Vertigo Games, emphasized their dedication to VR arcades’ progression. With this shift, Vertigo aims to channel its energy into content innovation and creativity, while SynthesisVR takes the lead in platform development. Their strengthened partnership is expected to deliver more robust and innovative solutions for both operators and developers, ultimately offering audiences an unparalleled, immersive entertainment experience.

While this update doesn’t seem to hint at any financial struggles specific to Vertigo Games, it does follow some economic challenges in the broader gaming industry. Recently, Fast Travel Games from Sweden, known for VR titles like Action Hero (2024) and Mannequin (2024), faced layoffs, as did Drop Dead studio Soul Assembly. Moreover, late last year, financial difficulties led to reductions at nDreams, a seasoned XR studio with titles such as Frenzies (2024) and Vendetta Forever (2024). Similarly, XR Games, the team behind Hitman 3 VR: Reloaded (2024), significantly trimmed their staff last October. Among others dealing with the industry’s ups and downs is Canadian studio Archiact, which initiated layoffs in January 2024. VRChat, known for its social VR platform, also reduced its workforce by 30%.

These shifts indicate a time of adjustment and consolidation across the VR landscape, as many studios seek new paths to ensure sustained growth and adaptation to market realities.