Google acquires VR developer Owlchemy Labs

Job Simulator and Rick and Morty: Virtual Rick-ality developer Owlchemy Labs is now owned by Google.

Google is going big on VR following the release of its Daydream platform, and the studio’s early success with Job Simulator clearly made it a priority target.

Owlchemy recently discussed the importance it placed on being a multiplatform virtual reality developer, and indeed this is a message that’s reiterated in this latest announcement, along with the confirmation that it will continue to be a multiplatform developer.

As we look to the future with Google by our side, we couldn’t be happier. Our plan to build awesome things will continue forward stronger than ever,” it said.

This means Owlchemy will continue building high quality VR content for platforms like the HTC Vive, Oculus Touch, and PlayStation VR. This means continuing to focus on hand interactions and high quality user experiences, like with Job Simulator.

We are continuing to do all of this with even more support and focus on building awesome stuff. It’s incredibly exciting that Google and Owlchemy are so well aligned on our goals and vision for the future of VR.

VR acted as an electromagnet for our science-focused brains as it presented us with the most expansive field of untapped potential and tough unsolved problems. Once we dipped our toes into the VR waters in the early DK1 days, we quickly vowed to never look back and build a flat-screen game again, and to jump headfirst into the awesome potential of VR. The studio was hooked and we’d found our stride.”

Google itself added: We care a lot about building and investing in compelling, high-quality, and interactive virtual reality experiences and… we work with partners and support developers and creators outside of Google to help bring their ideas to VR.

We’re thrilled to welcome Owlchemy Labs to Google. They’ve helped set a high bar for what engagement can be like in virtual worlds, and do it all with a great sense of humour.

Together, we’ll be working to create engaging, immersive games and developing new interaction models across many different platforms to continue bringing the best VR experiences to life.”