First Contact Entertainment, the developer behind the Firewall franchise, has announced that it is celebrating the new year by closing its doors permanently, just a few months after Firewall Ultra, its latest VR game, was released for the PS VR2 in August 2023.
Here’s a note from the developer, which took to Facebook last month and explained that it is shutting down because there isn’t enough support for VR in the games industry:
After almost 8 years of working with the most amazing team I’ve ever have the pleasure of being part of, I’m sad to announce that we will be closing our company First Contact Entertainment by the end of the year. The lack of support for VR within the industry has eventually taken its toll. As a AAA VR game developer, we are just not able to justify the expense needed gouging forward. We are a team of fearless innovators willing to push new technologies to its limits. I am extremely proud of the team and grateful to our investors, our partners and of course our community of dedicated and passionate players. It’s been a wild ride, Thankyou!
“Firewall was the most fun I have ever had playing a video game online EVER,” reads a response from one fan. “Myself and 3 real life friends had a standing appointment to play on Friday nights at 9pm, and we did that for about 6 months straight.”
“The original Firewall was one of the best VR gaming experiences if not the best gaming experience I had a chance to play with,” said another. “It’s unfortunate that Sony didn’t double down with you, you had a gem. Best of luck with everything going forward.”
Trailers for both Firewall games can be found below:
“Step into a shadow-filled secret world of high-stakes multiplayer tactical espionage in the next evolution of the Firewall franchise,” reads a description for the latest installment of the series, Firewall Ultra, which released for the PS VR2 in August 2023. “Form an elite squad of contractors and strategize as a team to attack targets, cover each other’s backs, and complete objectives in Firewall Ultra’s 4v4 PVP mode.”