Meta, the parent company of Oculus, has announced that it will be shutting down three virtual reality (VR) games developed by its studios. The affected games include the multiplayer shooter Dead and Buried, its sequel Dead and Buried II, and the pet simulation game Bogo. Players who own or have downloaded these games have received an email stating that support for these games will end on March 15, 2024.
Meta has not provided a reason for the shutdown of these games. This announcement comes after Meta recently shut down the servers for the popular multiplayer game Echo VR, which received criticism from the gaming community. Dead and Buried, released in 2016, was one of the free launch titles for the Oculus Rift. Its sequel, Dead and Buried II, was released for both Oculus Quest and Rift at a cost of $20.
It is speculated that these shutdowns may be a cost-cutting measure by Meta, as server maintenance can be expensive. However, the decision to shut down Bogo, a single-player experience, raises questions about Meta’s motives. VR games are considered cultural assets and should ideally be preserved for future generations.
The team responsible for creating Bogo and other well-known tech demos for Meta has been largely laid off. Some of these talented individuals have regrouped under the name Windup Minds and are now working on mixed reality pet experiences.
This announcement by Meta raises concerns about the sustainability of VR games and the support provided to players. While the company has not disclosed its reasons for these shutdowns, it is important to recognize the impact on the VR community and the need to preserve these gaming experiences.
Sources:
– Source article: [Source Title]
– Image: Meta [Image URL]
