New Studio Formed by Ex-Sanzaru Developers After Meta Closure
Founded by veterans of Sanzaru Games, the newly announced Sneaky Devil Studios aims to build original games following the shutdown of several Meta-owned VR studios earlier this year.
Earlier this year, Meta shut down several internal Reality Labs studios as part of broader restructuring efforts, including Sanzaru Games, the team behind both of the acclaimed Asgard's Wrath VR RPGs.
Now, developers from the former studio have resurfaced under a new banner: Sneaky Devil Studios.
According to the studio’s newly launched website, the team is composed of experienced developers with backgrounds spanning VR, action games, platformers, multiplayer systems, and large-scale production pipelines. While the company has not yet announced its debut project or funding sources, the studio describes itself as being focused on building original game experiences while preserving the collaborative culture and creative spirit that carried over from Sanzaru.
Originally founded in 2006, Sanzaru built a reputation across both traditional and VR development. The studio worked on projects including Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time before later becoming one of Meta’s flagship VR teams following its 2020 acquisition. They also nearly worked on a Jak & Daxter remaster.
"After more than two decades building games together, the core development team has returned, stronger and more determined than ever. We’re proud to shape the future of gaming with a culture that’s fearless, creative, and open. A studio where passionate developers unite to build the very best gaming experiences.
Sneaky Devil Studios’ team brings decades of experience across every gaming medium, from the genre‑defining Asgard’s Wrath VR to high‑caliber action‑adventure classics like Sly Cooper and Sonic the Hedgehog. Now we’re returning to our roots, focusing on console and PC platforms. The sneaky team is hard at work on something new."
- Mat Kraemer, Sneaky Devil Chief Creative Officer, in a statement to 80 Level
It's starting to become a trend for the leadership of a shuttered studio to rise back up under a new banner. Similar stories have unfolded recently across both AAA and VR development, as veteran developers increasingly pursue new independent ventures following broader industry contraction.
At the moment, Sneaky Devil Studios has not revealed staffing numbers, funding partners, or details about its first game. Still, given the pedigree of the developers involved and the team’s experience building technically ambitious games, the studio will likely draw significant (and rightfully earned) attention.
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