Australian VR studio Toast Interactive closes its doors

Gold Coast-based virtual reality studio Toast Interactive has announced its closure. Founded in 2016 by husband-and-wife team Toni and Richard Eastes, Toast Interactive became known for its innovative and immersive experiences, including the fan favourite Richie’s Plank Experience and the recently released VR platformer Max Mustard.

In a heartfelt statement, the studio shared the difficult decision to shut down operations. “It’s a heartbreaking decision that we never wanted to make,” Toni and Richard said. “We are incredibly grateful and proud of everything the team has accomplished.”

Despite the closure, Toast Interactive has assured fans that Richie’s Plank Experience and Max Mustard will continue to receive updates, albeit with a leaner approach. Plans to bring Richie’s Plank Experience to PSVR2 remain in place.

The studio leaves behind an impressive legacy. Richie’s Plank Experience, which challenges players to confront their fear of heights in VR, became a staple in arcades worldwide and consistently ranked among the top-selling VR titles on Steam and Viveport. Meanwhile, Max Mustard, celebrated for its creative level design and gameplay earned the team a 2024 Australian Game Developer Award (AGDA).

Toast Interactive’s contributions to the VR community will not be forgotten, and their games will continue to entertain players worldwide. The studio expressed its deepest gratitude to its team, collaborators, and the passionate VR gaming community.

While this chapter closes, the impact of Toast Interactive’s work in pushing the boundaries of VR storytelling and gameplay will undoubtedly live on.