The struggle in the VR game space has continued to manifest in layoffs and studio closures. The latest company to feel the burn is Australian-based Toast Interactive. On Monday, February 18, 2025, the company announced its decision to close offices and lay off the majority of its teams.
“To Everyone in the VR community: we are closing the Toast Interactive office,” read the official statement from the founders Toni and Richard Eastes. “It’s heartbreaking decision that we never wanted to make.”
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“The majority of our talented staff have suffered redundancies and we will assist where we can with their journey. We’re incredibly grateful and proud of everything the team has accomplished. So much talent and passion went into the creation of Max Mustard and every single accolade speaks volumes.”
Toast Interactive was founded in 2016. Their flagship title was Richie’s Plank Experience, a VR experience that tests the player’s fear of heights. It doesn’t appear the announcement signifies a total shutdown of the studio. A handful of staff will likely continue to keep things running for now.
Commenting on the company’s official statement, William Penha asked if Richie’s Plank will be coming to PSVR2. Toast Interactive responded, “We haven’t given up! 99% sure it’ll happen”.
Toast Interactive’s Max Mustard is highly decorated. It won several awards in 2024 including Excellence in Mixed Reality, Best VR Game, Aussie Game of the Year, Best in VR Gaming at the AustXR Festival, Indie Showcase PAX 2024, as well as many others.
The exact reason for the layoffs was not disclosed in the statement, neither did the company disclose the actual number of people impacted by the decision. According to their LinkedIn page, the Burleigh Heads, Queensland-based studio had 11-50 employees.
Select Posts from Ex Toast Interactive Employees
Although the official statement from the company came on February 18, it appears impacted employees already knew their fate a week ago. Some of those affected by the layoff have posted about it on LinkedIn while seeking the support of their connections to land new roles.
“Sadly it is come time to say goodbye to Toast Interactive as I have been made redundant,” wrote 3D artist Zoe McNeany. “I couldn’t have asked for a better group of people to work with these last few years and we made some truly awesome games.”
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Last week, the company’s social media and senior content specialist Dr Ben Schuster announced it was his last day in the company, “As it’s officially my last day at Toast Interactive, I can genuinely say this has been the best job I’ve ever had.”
“I’m incredibly proud of everything I achieved as part of Toast for the last year – never thought I’d be up against Walmart for a marketing award! But I’m also so proud of the whole team for Max Mustard. Wishing all the best to everyone at Toast and everyone I’ve met throughout this role!”
GameBaba Universe spotted several other profiles previously associated with the company that now wear the infamous green #OpenToWork badge. We wish everyone impacted by this decision the best in their future endeavors.
