VR Pioneer and ‘Primal Hunt’ Developer Phaser Lock Interactive Announces Closure

Phaser Lock Interactive, the innovative team known for its exclusive Quest game, Primal Hunt (2023), alongside a collection of earlier PC VR titles, has decided to close its doors. The studio attributed this decision to the tough economic environment and the current state of the gaming industry.

Since its inception in 2015, this Austin, Texas-based VR company has captivated players with several PC VR games. Among its creations are the bow-shooter Twisted Arrow (2016) and strategic games like Final Approach (2016) and Final Assault (2019).

In 2023, the company launched Primal Hunt, a game that drew from the bow-shooting dynamics of Twisted Arrow and offered a single-player experience inspired by Turok, exclusively for the Quest platform.

Despite Primal Hunt achieving a favorable user rating of 4.3 out of 5 on the Horizon Store, it struggled to reach a wide audience. By this point, only 201 users had reviewed the mature-rated game, which was set at a price of $30.

After the launch of Primal Hunt on Quest, Phaser Lock shifted focus from being a full-time VR studio to adapting a multiplayer version of the game for the Roblox platform. This free-to-play game garnered substantial engagement, drawing over 5.4 million visits. However, the game’s last update came in April 2024, putting the future development of Primal Hunt in doubt.

A pivotal change occurred in June 2024 when Michael Daubert, co-founder and former executive at the studio, announced his departure according to his LinkedIn profile. This move left the studio’s direction and future goals unclear.

Phaser Lock shared their farewell message on their website, expressing the emotional conclusion of their journey:

END OF AN ERA

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the closure of Phaser Lock Interactive. Despite our best efforts to realize our vision, the difficult economic climate and the current state of the gaming industry have made it untenable for us to continue. We extend our deepest gratitude to our dedicated fans and the incredible community that has stood by us throughout this journey. Your passion, support, and faith in our work have been invaluable to us. Though this chapter ends, the memories we’ve built together will endure indefinitely. Thank you for being part of our narrative.