Stress Level Zero is making waves with their physics-driven sandbox game, BONELAB (2022), which has captured the attention of many on the Quest platform. Despite this success, their acclaimed physics-action puzzler, BONEWORKS (2019), hasn’t yet leaped onto the newest standalone hardware by Meta. But that’s about to change.
If your gaming journey hasn’t included a PC VR headset, you might have missed Boneworks. This VR action-adventure weaves a narrative filled with advanced experimental physics, where players dive headfirst into thrilling environments. It demands dynamic navigation, weighty combat, and innovative solution-finding where physics play a key role.
In a recent update on X, studio co-founder Brandon Laatsch laid out ambitious plans for 2025. These plans involve enhancing the Marrow Engine physics framework, which powers their games on the Unity engine, and finally bringing Boneworks to the Quest 3 and Quest 3S platforms.
Curious about how this will look on Quest 3? Here’s a sneak peek:
> ‘25 goals: Release Patch 7, 8, 9 for Bonelab with Marrow 2, 2.1, 2.2. Bring Boneworks to Quest 3 in parallel on Marrow 2. Pre-production for the next game. By x-linking Marrow, we’re aiming for compatibility. Boneworks is the nearest kin but is still tricky. Godspeed, SLZ! [Link to tweet]
Laatsch points out that development is ongoing for both the Marrow 2.0 update and Boneworks on the Quest 3, all while the team gears up for their next game project.
Interestingly, Quest users have been able to dive into Boneworks on Quest 2 and newer models, thanks to a free, fan-made mod called ‘Labworks.’
Laatsch also mentioned that there are no plans to retire Labworks, which indie modder ‘volx64’ dedicated two years to create. He emphasizes that the Marrow Engine’s implementation in Quest 3 will offer transformative improvements to Boneworks, beyond what a simple port could achieve.
As for when we can expect all this to unfold? The release window is still a mystery, but rest assured, we’re keeping a close watch on Laatsch’s X account and the studio’s YouTube updates for any new announcements.