adminThe Polyarc Games closure marks the end of active development at the Seattle-based studio known for the Moss virtual reality adventure series. After nearly 12 years making games, the company has announced that it will wind down its development work and shared a recruiting spreadsheet to help affected staff connect with potential employers.
Image credit: Polyarc Games
Polyarc Games closure follows a difficult period
Polyarc announced its decision on LinkedIn, thanking its team for the work they had done together and the players who experienced its games. The studio described game development as a shared journey and said its work was finished. It did not provide further details about the reasons for winding down in the announcement.
The closure comes after Polyarc laid off 30 employees earlier in the year. The company had been unable to secure funding after a major project was cancelled. The available information does not confirm whether the latest announcement will affect every remaining role or provide a specific date for the end of operations.
For employees affected by a studio closure, recruiting resources can help make work history and skills visible to other employers. Polyarc’s shared spreadsheet was intended to support staff seeking new opportunities.
From Moss to competitive VR games
Founded in 2015 by former Bungie developers Tam Armstrong, Danny Bulla and Chris Alderson, Polyarc released its first game, Moss, in 2018. The VR adventure puzzle game introduced players to a story-led experience built around the small hero Quill. A sequel followed in 2022.
Last year, the studio launched Glassbreakers: Champions of Moss, an online competitive strategy game for virtual reality. More recently, Moss: The Forgotten Relic brought the original two games together outside VR. Its release came two months before the closure announcement, according to the reported timeline.
When choosing a VR game, players should check the platform and headset requirements before buying. Releases adapted for play outside VR may offer a different way to experience a series, so it is useful to confirm which games and editions are included.
Funding, augmented reality and the studio’s plans
Polyarc raised $3.5 million in 2016 to develop Moss and secured a further $9 million in 2020 to expand into augmented reality. In a 2021 interview, publishing and communications director Lincoln Davis said the studio was closely exploring AR as a way to evolve and respond to changes in the market.
Davis also described the value of adopting emerging technology while maintaining the studio’s own creative style and level of polish. The funding and comments reflect Polyarc’s interest in working across new platforms, although the studio’s later inability to secure funding for a major project preceded the layoffs.
What the Polyarc Games closure means
Polyarc’s announcement brings its active game development to a close after a run that included VR adventures, a sequel and a competitive strategy title. The studio’s shared recruiting resource offers practical support to affected employees, while no additional details about the closure have been provided. The Polyarc Games closure therefore leaves the team’s future work uncertain, even as its released games remain part of the studio’s legacy.
