Happy 2024, readers! I'm Ashley Foo (aka Vause), and I hope the new year has been treating everyone kindly thus far. With only one week left until January comes to an end, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the rapid pace that is typical in this industry, especially when we are catching up with work after the holiday season, so here is your reminder that self-care is as important as productivity!
On this day, Andromeda Entertainment is celebrating its 5 year-anniversary. While we look forward to exciting times, I think it’s also important to appreciate the journey we took to get to where we are today.
Our Journey.
2023 was an eventful year for us. As a company, we’ve had the privilege of working with many talented individuals, some of which who have left us to pursue their greater passion, and whose success in the VR space elates us. We’ve also managed to expand our publishing reach into China last year. Together with the studios who entrusted their game to us, we have partnered up with several platforms such as Pico, YVR, iQIYI, and NOLO to bring 8 virtual reality experiences to Chinese VR gamers - and we still have more in the works in 2024!
Our Milestones.
On the topic of collaborating with talented & hardworking developers, I’m proud to highlight some of the amazing milestones that were achieved by our partner studios last year.
In 2023, rhythm dance game Audio Trip released their very first DLC, the Swanky Song Pack. While there aren't any blood involved, a good amount of sweat and tears were definitely poured into the creation of this pack by the Kinemotik Studios team. We couldn’t be more proud of the work that the power duo, Ashley Cooper & Brady Wright, has done for Audio Trip, and we look forward to seeing more of what they are cooking up for us in 2024.
In the meantime, if your VR fitness routine is lacking some serious groove, you can grab both the base game and the DLC off the Meta Quest & Steam store.
IRON GUARD, a top-down VR tower defense, celebrated their 1st anniversary some months ago, and they did so with style when they also unveiled their new mixed reality spin-off title, IRON GUARD: Homecoming.
Unlike the original game where you control an army of turrets from above, IRON GUARD: Homecoming puts you at the forefront of battle, with only your wits & weapon to defend yourself. Currently, you can find IRON GUARD on the Meta Quest store, and IRON GUARD: Homecoming on AppLab to experience both games for yourself.
💥Survive waves of rogue terraformer robots in IRON GUARD.
SolarBlack was also released into the wild on Steam, Meta’s AppLab, and Pico last August. Created by solo developer Niel Widy, the game brings a challenging & refreshing approach to the rhythm game genre. If you think you can juggle slicing to the beat, aiming for the targets, dodging barriers, and finding hidden treasures within levels, then SolarBlack might be one you want to pick up.
As we gear up for the year ahead, I hope the year ahead is filled with exciting opportunities and unprecedented growth. Before I sign off, I'd like to leave you with notes from both our CEO and COO to kick off 2024.
- Vause
As the Chief Operating Officer of Andromeda Entertainment, I've had the unique privilege of being part of a journey as exhilarating as the virtual worlds this industry creates. Today, as we celebrate our fifth anniversary, I'm filled with a sense of pride and humility at how far we've come. It feels like just yesterday when my journey with Andromeda began, not as a COO, but as a streamer, wholly captivated by a game that would change the course of my professional life: "Audio Trip."
Over the last five years, each new release and milestone achieved has been a testament to our team's creativity, dedication, and vision. Being a part of this journey, contributing to our collective success, and seeing the impact of our work on the XR community has been humbling and invigorating for me, painstakingly so, as I sit here now and reflect. I am often and aggressively reminded that the heart of things that matter can be found in the lives we touch and the new realities we are helping to forge forward into strange new digital future, and I hope to do it with intention and care.
Looking ahead to 2024, the horizon of extended reality (XR) is more exciting than ever, especially with advancements like the anticipated release of new XR headsets, including Apple's entry into the market. This is not just a step forward in technology; it's a leap into a future where cultural and societal paradigms about technology could potentially shift, creating the ever-chased XR iPhone moment and altering the way mainstream folks perceive XR and HMD technology forever. If that happens, we plan to be ready.
Our focus at Andromeda Entertainment for the upcoming year goes beyond nurturing our existing acclaimed titles. We are actively exploring the expanding realm of XR, seeking innovative opportunities to publish games that break new ground in this field. Our aim is to find games that don't just entertain but also inspire and push the limits of XR technology.
If you have a game that could redefine XR gaming, we want to hear from you. Your innovative ideas have the potential to join a diverse and dynamic portfolio, contributing to the XR community in meaningful and exciting ways.
Lastly, I extend my deepest gratitude to everyone who has worked with us over the last five years. Your dedication, creativity, and passion are the cornerstones of our success. A special thank you to our magnificent titles and the brilliant minds behind them who trust us with the most precious of all: their creations. Your trust and collaboration have shaped Andromeda Entertainment into what it is today, and your continued support will propel us into the future. As we celebrate this anniversary and look forward to the next year, we are more committed than ever to being at the forefront of the XR revolution. We're excited to navigate the changing landscapes of XR, embracing the new possibilities and challenges it brings.
Here's to a transformative year in XR – a year of exploring new frontiers, forging new partnerships, and continuing to create experiences that amaze and inspire.
Virtually yours,
Ashley "ashleyriott" Blake
COO, Andromeda Entertainment
Dear Andromeda Family,
As we approach the remarkable milestone of our 5th anniversary, I am filled with gratitude and pride reflecting on the incredible journey we’ve undertaken together. Today, I extend my heartfelt thanks to each member of the Andromeda community who has contributed to our success.
To our visionary investors, your unwavering support has been the bedrock of our achievements. Your belief in our mission to harness technology for the betterment of all has propelled Andromeda to new heights.
To the talented developers who entrusted us with their creations, thank you for allowing Andromeda to assist in sharing your transformative content with the world. Together, we’ve worked to bring more than 20 games to life, captivating audiences across every major XR platform.
A special acknowledgment goes to our dedicated employees, contractors, marketers, community managers, testers, designers, and artists now spanning six continents. Your commitment and passion have been instrumental in shaping Andromeda into a beacon of creativity and inclusivity. I could not be more proud of our team's global reach and resilience in the face of adversity.
Last but not least, our heartfelt appreciation goes out to the millions of enthusiastic users and gamers worldwide. Your support and enthusiasm have fueled our determination to make a positive impact through immersive virtual reality experiences. You are the stardust that sparked the idea for Andromeda in the first place.
As we celebrate this momentous occasion on January 25, 2024, let us reflect on the collective achievements and look forward to a future where technology continues to enhance our lives. Thank you for being an integral part of the Andromeda journey. Here’s to many more years of innovation, collaboration, and shared success.
In gratitude,
John McClellan
CEO, Andromeda Entertainment
Links Mentioned In This Article
Apple Vision Pro. (n.d.). Apple. https://www.apple.com/apple-vision-pro/
Audio Trip on Meta Quest | Quest VR games. (n.d.). Meta Store. https://www.meta.com/en-gb/experiences/2484044451715693/
Audio Trip on Steam. (2023, October 25). Steam. https://store.steampowered.com/app/826540/Audio_Trip/
IRON GUARD: Homecoming on Meta Quest | Quest VR games. (n.d.). Meta Store. https://www.meta.com/en-gb/experiences/6279181398802008/
IRON GUARD on Meta Quest | Quest VR games. (n.d.). Meta Store. https://www.meta.com/en-gb/experiences/5153768677983339
Kinemotik Studios. (n.d.). We move you. https://www.kinemotik.com/
NEW AUDIO TRIP DLC: SWANKY SONG PACK. (n.d.). Meta Quest VR Headsets, Accessories & Equipment. https://www.oculus.com/experiences/quest/developer-post/146561601793144/
SolarBlack on Meta Quest | Quest VR games. (n.d.). Meta Store. https://www.meta.com/en-gb/experiences/6821780277896747
SolarBlack on Steam. (2023, December 20). Steam. https://store.steampowered.com/app/1884680/SolarBlack/