Moss developer Polyarc Games announces closure

GamesIndustry.biz reports that Polyarc Games is shutting down after nearly 12 years in business, with the Seattle studio saying it is winding down active development. For developers, this is another reminder that even well-known VR teams can run into funding and pipeline pressure once a project slate changes.

Polyarc shared the news on LinkedIn and also posted a recruiting spreadsheet for staff affected by the closure. The studio thanked its team and said its work is now finished, but it has not yet given a detailed explanation for the decision.

The timing is notable: the closure follows the launch of Moss: The Forgotten Relic two months ago, which brought the original Moss games together outside VR. Earlier this year, Polyarc also laid off 30 employees after failing to secure funding following the cancellation of a major project.

Founded in 2015 by former Bungie developers Tam Armstrong, Danny Bulla, and Chris Alderson, Polyarc shipped Moss in 2018, Moss: Book II in 2022, and Glassbreakers: Champions of Moss last year. The studio had previously raised $3.5 million in 2016 and another $9 million in 2020 as it explored AR expansion.