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

Phaser Lock Interactive, the creative minds behind the Quest-exclusive game Primal Hunt (2023), along with a collection of early PC VR titles, has announced its closure. The studio cited the difficulties of today’s economic landscape combined with the current challenges within the gaming industry as the main reasons for this unfortunate decision.

Established in 2015 and based in Austin, Texas, Phaser Lock has delivered several memorable PC VR experiences over the years. Among its notable releases are the action-packed bow-shooter Twisted Arrow (2016), and the strategic delights of Final Approach (2016) and Final Assault (2019).

In 2023, the studio introduced Primal Hunt, a thrilling dinosaur-hunting adventure that brought the bow-shooting mechanics from Twisted Arrow into a single-player experience evocative of Turok, released solely on the Quest platform.

Despite earning a respectable 4.3 out of 5 user rating on the Horizon Store, Primal Hunt struggled to capture a wider audience. At this moment, only a small pool of 201 users have shared their thoughts on this mature-rated game, which carries a $30 price tag.

Following the release of Primal Hunt on Quest, Phaser Lock shifted gears from its VR focus to create a multi-player version for Roblox. This free-to-play rendition saw decent success, amassing over 5.4 million visits. However, the studio’s final update came in April 2024, leaving the future of Primal Hunt uncertain.

In June 2024, the company’s trajectory was further clouded by the departure of co-founder and former executive, Michael Daubert, as revealed through LinkedIn, creating greater uncertainty about what lay ahead for the studio.

Below is the full statement from their website, marking this significant announcement:

END OF AN ERA

With great sadness, we share that Phaser Lock Interactive is closing down. Despite our relentless efforts to give life to our visions, the tough economic climate and the current state of the gaming industry have forced us to end our journey. We extend our deep gratitude to our loyal fans and the incredible community that stood by us throughout this adventure. Your passion, support, and faith in our work have been invaluable. Although this chapter concludes, the moments we crafted together will stay with us. Thank you for being a significant part of our story.

It’s a heartfelt farewell from Phaser Lock, and as this chapter closes, their contributions to the industry will not be forgotten.