nDreams Launches Innovative VR Studio Amid Previous Closures

VR creator and author nDreams has established a modern internal studio named Compass after closing two of its previous operations.

In a press statement distributed to Game Developer, the company confirmed that it recently shut down nDreams Studio Orbital and nDreams Studio as part of a restructuring initiative launched last year. A number of staff from these divisions have now joined Compass, while others were let go.

“As part of the strategic realignment that we revealed in September, we unfortunately had to let go of talented team members and also modified our multi-studio development framework,” stated a spokesperson for the organization.

“This regrettably led to the closure of nDreams Studio Orbital and meant that nDreams Studio could not proceed in its existing format. Both teams did exceptional work, and many individuals from those impacted studios have been retained within nDreams’ revamped structure, with some forming part of the new Compass studio.”

Introducing Compass studio

Compass will be led by former Activision, EA, and King veteran Callum Godfrey, who has previously worked on franchises such as Call of Duty and Operation Flashpoint.

The team of 40 aims to focus on the “expanding audience of young VR enthusiasts” by currently prototyping video games while also learning from data and community feedback.

The studio will embrace a “democratic approach” to development, enabling any team member to propose game ideas. It will also support a blend of hybrid and fully-remote employees.

It has only been a few weeks since nDreams announced it might reduce 17.5 percent of its workforce to better navigate a “challenging” VR landscape.

At that time, nDreams CEO Patrick O’Luanaigh expressed that the company still aimed to produce “medium-defining titles” but indicated that this objective necessitated a “renewed strategic focus.”

The company believes the launch of Compass strengthens its commitment to the market.

“VR audiences are more varied than ever, with an influx of gamers entering the market who view VR as their primary gaming platform, and Compass is ideally situated to fulfill their requirements,” noted Compass studio leader Callum Godfrey.

“Leveraging nDreams’ extensive VR expertise and a studio filled with skilled and passionate game developers who are encouraged to be daring and explore a range of different genres, mechanics, themes, and artistic styles opened up by this new demographic, Compass is wholly devoted to crafting titles that will resonate with a new generation of VR players.”

The establishment of Compass and the recent closures indicate that there are now three studios under the nDreams label: Compass, Near Light, and Studio Elevation.

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