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

Phaser Lock Interactive, known for their Quest-exclusive game Primal Hunt released in 2023, and a variety of early PC VR titles, announced they are closing their doors. The studio pointed to the "challenging economic climate and the current state of the gaming industry" as reasons for the shutdown.

Established in 2015 in Austin, Texas, this VR-focused studio gave us several notable PC VR games over the years. Gamers might remember titles like the bow-shooter Twisted Arrow launched in 2016, along with the real-time strategy hits Final Approach in 2016 and Final Assault in 2019.

Fast forward to 2023, Phaser Lock unveiled Primal Hunt, a dinosaur-hunting adventure that built upon the bow mechanics from Twisted Arrow. This Turok-inspired single-player experience was available exclusively on Quest.

Despite Primal Hunt earning a respectable 4.3 out of 5 stars on the Horizon Store, it struggled to capture a large audience. At the time this article was written, only 201 reviews had been submitted for this ‘M’ rated game, which carried a $30 price tag.

Not long after Primal Hunt hit Quest, Phaser Lock transitioned its focus from being a full-time VR studio to creating a multiplayer iteration for Roblox. This free-to-play version enjoyed success on the platform, amassing over 5.4 million visits. However, the last known update for this game came in April 2024, leaving the future of Primal Hunt uncertain.

Further changes took place in June 2024 when Michael Daubert, co-founder and former studio executive, left the company, as stated on his LinkedIn profile. This departure added more uncertainty regarding the studio’s future goals and direction.

Phaser Lock released an official statement on their website:

END OF AN ERA

It is with great sadness that we announce the closure of Phaser Lock Interactive. Despite our dedicated efforts to bring our vision to life, the challenging economic climate and evolving landscape of the gaming industry have made it impossible for us to continue. We extend our deepest gratitude to our loyal fans and the wonderful community that has supported us along the way. Your passion, encouragement, and belief in our work have meant everything to us. Although this chapter is closing, the memories we’ve created together will never fade. Thank you for being part of our journey.

The closing of Phaser Lock reflects broader challenges impacting indie developers in the current market. Their impressive journey leaves behind a legacy of innovation and community engagement.