Moss ends its journey Polyarc says farewell
The End of an Era: How Polyarc’s Moss Legacy Concludes a VR Adventure
After nearly a decade spent crafting immersive worlds, the studio Polyarc has announced the winding down of its operations. This decision marks the conclusion of an era for those who have followed the journey of the Moss series of VR platformers.
The farewell comes just three months after the studio released its latest title on Steam, signaling the end of a long and celebrated creative partnership. In their statement, Polyarc expressed deep gratitude, reflecting on the years spent on a “joyous rollercoaster of emotions” while working with the community.
Founded in 2015, Polyarc made its debut three years later with The Forgotten Relic (originally The Forgotten Relic”>Moss: The Forgotten Relic). This game quickly gained traction, launching onto Steam in June 2018 and establishing itself as a standout title in the VR landscape.
What set the Moss games apart was their unique approach to third-person platforming within virtual reality. Instead of focusing solely on first-person perspectives, the games invited players to experience the world through the eyes of Quill, the heroic mouse protagonist, while simultaneously using VR touch controls to manipulate objects and assist Quill in solving intricate puzzles. This blend of traditional action/adventure gameplay and novel spatial interaction created an experience unlike anything else in the genre.
The critical and commercial success of the series was undeniable. Both The Forgotten Relic and its sequel, Moss II, amassed over 160 awards and nominations, proving the depth and quality of Polyarc’s vision.
The studio continued to expand its universe in 2025 with Glassbreakers: Champions of Moss, a PvP strategy spinoff. However, development and funding faced significant challenges, leading to difficult choices. The studio encountered struggles in securing further backing for mid-development projects and ultimately had to make the tough decision to lay off two-thirds of its staff earlier this year.
In a final retrospective, Polyarc released The Forgotten Relic, which compiled the first two Moss games and the original expansion, The Forgotten Relic: The Forgotten Relic, into a cohesive, non-VR experience. While the reception to this compilation was positive, it did not generate the necessary sales to sustain the studio.
Fans are now able to revisit this beloved catalog. The Moss games are currently available on sale, with The Forgotten Relic offered at a discount, and both VR titles, Moss VR and Moss II VR, are available at half-price. For those still seeking the original, immersive experience, dusting off those titles remains a wonderful opportunity.
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