Embracer-owned VR specialist Vertigo Games has shuttered its Amsterdam studio.
Vertigo Studios Amsterdam is the team behind Metro Awakening. The multi-platform VR title launched in 2024 to critical acclaim but failed to meet the sales expectations of Embracer (thanks, UploadVR).
In a statement posted on social media, Vertigo Games CEO Richard Stitselaar indicated the studio was closed in response to adverse conditions within the VR market.
“The VR market remains a challenging space and after careful consideration we have made the difficult decision to close Vertigo Studios Amsterdam. This is not a decision we have taken lightly and I want to acknowledge the impact it has on everyone at Vertigo Studios Amsterdam,” he said.
“Since joining Vertigo Games in 2021, Vertigo Studios Amsterdam has delivered some of the best games in our portfolio. Their creativity, dedication, and hard work have been invaluable and our focus right now is on supporting the team through this process.”
Embracer directed us to the above statement when approached for comment. It’s currently unclear how many people have been impacted by the closure.
Vertigo Games joined Embracer in 2020 under the company’s Plaion subsidiary. Since then, Embracer has become the standard bearer for industry layoffs after spending years shuttering and divesting studios. cancelling projects, and eliminating thousands of jobs.
The Swedish conglomerate is currently attempting to course-correct by splitting into multiple standalone publicly-traded companies and recently indicated it could soon begin pursuing “opportunistic” mergers and acquisitions to drive value.
You’d be right in thinking that sounds like an awfully familiar gambit.