Echo VR: The Failed “Rocket League” of VR

Developed by Ready At Dawn Studios, Echo VR emerged onto the virtual reality gaming scene with the goal to deliver an engaging, immersive, zero-gravity experience. The gameplay, which was essentially propelling oneself through space using hand-controlled thrusters, while also playing a game of zero gravity “ultimate frisbee” truly was unique and was certainly an impressive feat of VR game development. At a glance, one might wonder how this game fell apart? Or, why you’ve maybe never heard of it?

Echo VR ultimately failed for 3 major reasons:
Motion sickness, more motion sickness, and marketing!!

Virtual reality gaming relies heavily on the player’s ability to feel immersed in the virtual environment, but for many players, the fast-paced, zero-gravity gameplay induced feelings of nausea and discomfort. This issue was particularly pronounced in players who were already prone to motion sickness, or players who were new to virtual reality gaming.

The latter led to a significant barrier to entry for potential players. Despite efforts to address the motion sickness problem through various updates and adjustments to the game mechanics, Echo VR continued to struggle with this issue throughout its lifespan. Some players were able to acclimate to the gameplay over time, yet many more were deterred from playing altogether. This resulted in a shrinking player base, and ultimately contributed to the game’s decline.

Among its player base, Echo VR represented the pinnacle of what virtual reality gaming could achieve. However, Echo VR’s struggle to gain widespread recognition ultimately hindered its long-term success. Marketing efforts fell short of effectively communicating the game’s appeal to a broader audience, resulting in a missed opportunity to capitalize on its strengths and generate excitement among potential players. In a crowded market of VR titles, Echo VR struggled to stand out, despite its undeniable quality and innovation. The reality is that the developers did not attempt nearly enough to grow its player base, or to maintain the one that it had.

Looking to the future, there still remains hope for Ready At Dawn, and its potential to deliver groundbreaking gaming experiences. Despite the challenges faced by Echo VR, the game served as a testament to the studio’s creative vision and technical prowess. With continued innovation and a renewed focus on addressing the needs of players, Ready At Dawn has the opportunity to build upon the foundation laid by Echo VR and deliver future titles that push the boundaries of virtual reality gaming. Its legacy will serve as a reminder of the inherent challenges and opportunities present in the world of virtual reality gaming. With innovation, interaction, and a commitment to delivering exceptional experiences, Ready At Dawn truly has the potential to leave a lasting impact on the industry.