When PowerWash Simulator first hit the scene on Steam Early Access in 2021, it took off like wildfire. FuturLab, the developers behind the sensation, capitalized on this success by rolling out heaps of DLC and even creating a standalone VR version of the game. However, just 14 months after its release on Quest, the studio has announced it’s hitting pause on PowerWash Simulator VR’s future development.
FuturLab made this announcement in a heartfelt post on X, explaining their decision. Here’s the crux of what they said:
“I’m really sorry to inform you that we won’t be continuing support for PowerWash Simulator VR. Our passion for VR remains strong, and while it doesn’t mean we’ll steer clear of it going forward, at this moment, we can’t carry on with VR support.
Here’s where we’re at: we have an incredible VR team, but maintaining support for a platform that’s not generating enough returns has put us at a crossroad. We also have job opportunities available in other projects that need to be filled. Ultimately, we decided to move our VR team to these new roles. I dream of a future where we can support PowerWash Simulator on every platform, but my priority will always be job security for my team. If you were in my shoes, I bet you’d do the same.
– Kirsty Rigden, CEO, FuturLab”
Despite halting updates and future DLC, fans can still enjoy the VR-native base game and existing DLCs on Quest via the Horizon Store; saved games are secure, though new content should not be anticipated.
Speculating on why the VR version failed to hit its mark is a challenge, just as predicting FuturLab’s initial expectations is. One thing’s certain, though: the game’s sales trailed significantly behind its PC counterpart, even though both priced at $25.
Currently, PowerWash Simulator VR has a commendable [4.3/5] user rating from over 1,100 players. On the other hand, the Steam version boasts a staggering count of over 43,000 lifetime reviews, earning it an ‘Overwhelmingly Positive’ rating.
The game’s premise is straightforward yet addictive; it tasks players with using a power washer to eliminate all traces of dirt and grime in sight. This concept, which traces its roots to a YouTube fad in 2018, offers a strangely satisfying and calming gameplay experience. The VR edition doesn’t stray far from this path, letting users wield their power washer manually and swap out nozzles as they please.
