Once more in 2021, Meta launched that Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas was coming to its Quest 2 VR platform. “Get a model new perspective on Los Santos, San Fierro, and Las Venturas as you experience (as soon as extra or for the first time) one among gaming’s most iconic open worlds,” Meta said on the time. “It’s a mission a couple of years inside the making, and we’re capable of’t wait to level out you further of it.”
Alas, Meta did not current any further of it after that announcement, nor would it not not even say one thing regarding the state of the game’s development: When requested about it by UploadVR in 2023, for instance, Meta merely refused to comment. Now, lastly, it has revealed what’s going down with the game, and the data should not be good.
“GTA: San Andreas is on preserve indefinitely whereas we every focus on totally different duties,” the official MetaQuestVR account said in response to an inquiry posted on YouTube. “We look forward to working with our associates at Rockstar ultimately.” Meta later confirmed that assertion with IGN.
“On preserve indefinitely” should not be the equivalent as being cancelled, nevertheless it is not place to be each. The KOTOR remake we nonetheless would not have was “delayed indefinitely” in 2022, for instance, whereas Life By You suffered the equivalent future merely two weeks ahead of its deliberate early entry launch, sooner than being axed outright not prolonged after. Throughout the case of San Andreas VR, Meta’s assertion that it appears forward to working with Rockstar “ultimately”—nevertheless not primarily on this recreation—would not grant added confidence.
The “not lifeless nevertheless sleeping” standing of San Andreas VR might presumably be seen as a reflection of the broader state of VR gaming. Adoption costs keep stubbornly low (the latest Steam {{Hardware}} and Software program program Survey signifies that successfully beneath 2% of Steam clients are rocking VR headsets, a decide that hasn’t moved meaningfully in years), there nonetheless hasn’t been a killer recreation for VR platforms, and naturally there’s the whole upchuck issue that additionally hasn’t been overcome—and even within the occasion you are not a puker, VR {{hardware}} is often cumbersome, uncomfortable, and a headache to rearrange.
Regardless of these challenges, though, VR development basic wouldn’t seem to be slowing down. IO Interactive launched Hitman 3 Reloaded VR earlier this 12 months, and a model new Batman: Arkham VR recreation is inside the works too; the present VR Video video games Showcase revealed fairly a couple of others inside the works along with VR takes on Flatout, Trombone Champ, Wrath: Aeon of Smash, and a pile of others.
Nonetheless on the Meta entrance notably, the state of affairs should not be good. Its Actuality Labs VR division is burning by mountains of money at an astounding worth, and there’s no lifelike hope of a turnaround anytime rapidly; earlier this month, Meta shuttered Lone Echo studio Ready at Dawn as part of its effort to meet new budgetary reductions.
Take-Two might have moreover misplaced curiosity inside the mission. Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick has beforehand expressed doubts regarding the VR market, and whereas that actual comment predates the announcement of San Andreas VR, not a whole lot has modified since then. Additionally it is sincere to say the company is perhaps focused correct now on the upcoming Grand Theft Auto 6.
Whatever the trigger for the indefinite preserve, it’s nonetheless attainable that we’ll see Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas on VR platforms someday, nevertheless is it seemingly? At this stage, I’m not overly optimistic. I’ve reached out to Take-Two for comment and might exchange if I acquire a reply.