It’s a big day for Facebook as it relates to video games. In addition to Microsoft partnering with Facebook for livestreaming games after closing Mixer, the social network has now acquired a major developer.
Facebook announced that it has acquired Ready at Dawn, the studio known for its work on the God of War franchise. The studio developed God of War: Chains of Olympus and Ghost of Sparta for PSP, in addition to the God of War: Origins Collection for PS3. On top of the God of War franchise, Ready at Dawn developed the 2015 PS4-exclusive The Order: 1886.
In 2017, Ready at Dawn started working with the Facebook-owned Oculus Studios on the Rift titles Lone Echo, Echo Arena, and Echo Combat. Echo Combat II is currently in development for Rift.
At Facebook, Ready at Dawn will continue developing “groundbreaking content” for virtual reality. “With Facebook’s latest advancements in VR technology, Ready At Dawn can readily explore a future of rich and immersive original VR content,” Facebook said in its news release announcing the buyout.
Ready at Dawn will continue to operate as an independent studio, Facebook said, and the company won’t move offices; they will stay at their current locations in Irvine, California and Portland, Oregon.
Facebook has been ramping up its game studio acquisitions of late. In addition to Ready at Dawn, the company owns Beat Saber developer Beat Games and Sonic and Spyro developer Sanzaru Games.