Synapse and PowerWash Simulator VR developer nDreams acquired

Video gaming group Aonic has acquired VR developer and publisher nDreams.

Aonic previously received a minority stake in nDreams - which is known for the likes of Synapse, Far Cry: Dive Into Insanity and Powerwash Simulator's VR port - when it invested $35m in the VR-focused studio in March of last year.

The company has now fully acquired nDreams for a total enterprise value close to $110m.

In a press release, nDreams credited Aonic for helping it achieve many goals since that initial investment in 2022. It said along with several high-profile launches and awards across its catalogue since that time, the studio has also seen its numbers grow to 250 employees. This makes nDreams the biggest VR game developer and publisher in the industry today.

"We set up nDreams in 2006, pivoted to focus exclusively on VR games in 2013, and we're proud of everything we've achieved as an independent company," nDreams' CEO Patrick O'Luanaigh said following today's acquisition.

"After 18 months of working together, we're confident we've found the right partner in Aonic. This is the right moment to welcome their support to strengthen our position even further, and seize this critical moment for VR and MR."

Aonic's CEO Paul Schempp added: "nDreams has done an unparalleled job bringing some of the biggest VR titles to market, and it was a natural fit for us to welcome them to the Aonic family and provide our studios with the best team when it comes to the VR/MR gaming space.

"This acquisition is yet another example of Aonic's commitment to championing mid-sized studios and creating an environment where teams can create fantastic games."

As for what is next, nDreams has said its focus remains on "continuing the trajectory" it is on as part of a "stable, supportive environment". This will include investments in "third-party publishing titles" as well as the potential for more studio acquisitions.

We can expect more announcements from the studio next year, and "beyond".

For more on Synapse, our Ian was rather impressed with this addition to the PSVR2's library, giving it four out of five stars in Eurogamer's review.

"The sandbox way in which you can play with your powers and your weapons still offers way more replayability than your standard short VR experience does," he wrote. "If you're anything like me, Synapse is a game that you'll pick up and play and then won't be able to put down again until you've gotten absolutely everything out of it that you can."