OrbusVR, the MMORPG tailored specifically for VR headsets, is drawing the curtains on its virtual world. The developers at Orbus Online have announced their decision to stop sales across all platforms starting next month, with plans to pull the plug on their servers completely by April.
In a heartfelt update to the community, the studio shared that OrbusVR will be taken off the Steam and Horizon Store shelves as of February 10th, 2025. The servers are set to bid farewell on April 6th that same year.
Launched initially in 2017 as a Steam Early Access title, OrbusVR was quite the groundbreaking venture. At a time when the PC VR user base wasn’t exactly vast, the game managed to captivate a dedicated group of VR enthusiasts eager to embark on this MMORPG journey.
When the game officially launched its full 1.0 version in 2019, it transformed into OrbusVR: Reborn. This update brought a wealth of engaging content designed to draw newcomers into its captivating storyline, including five-player dungeons, ten-player raids, challenging enemies, diverse jobs, and a vibrant community.
Straying from the typical MMO model, OrbusVR did away with subscriptions, instead offering itself as a one-time purchase. Initially priced at $40, the game eventually saw a price drop to $20 for both PC VR platforms via Steam and Meta headsets via the Horizon Store.
To keep the ball rolling financially, the developers also leaned on in-game purchases, providing players with an array of items like mounts and cosmetic pets. They also offered ‘Mini Story’ expansion packs, adding new zones, NPCs, and fresh questlines.
Here’s the complete message from the OrbusVR team:
The team began by expressing profound gratitude to its players. From the nascent days of development back in 2016 through the early days of Early Access in December 2017, to now, they’ve felt incredibly lucky to be supported by such a wonderful community. Over these eight years, this community has stood by them, making it possible to build the incredible game and social space they are proud of.
Despite their best efforts to maintain the game, the time has come for OrbusVR to step down. So, on February 10th, 2025, sales will cease, and by April 6th, 2025, the servers will be officially shut down.
As the game approaches its closing chapter, the developers have some farewell events in store. These will include ramped-up drop rates on legendary items, unlocking DLC content for all players who might not have had the chance to try it, and hosting the final Mage Tournament. While it’s bittersweet to say goodbye, the team is eager to celebrate the friendships and memories forged within the game. They also plan to wrap things up with some fun stats, like total hours played and monsters defeated, to cherish the game’s legacy.
This update isn’t their last word. They still hope to share memorable stories from their interactions with the community and highlight some favorite in-game moments and lesser-known bits of lore.
The team remains optimistic about the future of the VR market and wishes upcoming developers great success. They hope that OrbusVR has left players with more friendships and memories than they can count and take pride in having contributed to the evolving landscape of VR gaming.
Signed, with deepest gratitude and a sense of accomplishment, by the OrbusVR Development Team.