Polyarc Games, Developer of Moss, Announces Layoffs Due to Funding Issues

Polyarc Games, a Seattle-based virtual reality game developer, has announced that it will be undergoing company-wide layoffs due to its inability to secure funding following the cancellation of a significant project. The number of employees affected by the layoffs has not been disclosed. The studio, known for its critically acclaimed adventure-puzzle game Moss, expressed its gratitude to the departing employees, stating that their contributions have been invaluable to the company's growth and culture. Polyarc Games was founded in 2015 by a team of former Bungie developers, including Tam Armstrong, Danny Bulla, and Chris Alderson. The company had previously raised $3.5 million in funding to develop Moss in 2016 and secured an additional $9 billion in Series B funding in 2020 to expand its operations into augmented reality. The layoffs at Polyarc Games are part of a larger trend in the virtual reality industry, which has seen significant restructuring and job cuts in recent times. Meta, a major player in the industry, reduced its Reality Labs workforce by 10% earlier this year, resulting in the closure of several game development studios, including Twisted Pixel Games, Sanzaru Games, and Armature Studio. Meta has also made additional cuts, eliminating 700 roles across various divisions, including Reality Labs. According to a Meta spokesperson, the company regularly assesses and restructures its teams to ensure they are well-positioned to achieve their goals, and it provides support to employees whose positions are impacted wherever possible.