Owlchemy Labs

Owlchemy Labs is a video game developer based in Austin, Texas. The company was founded in 2010 by Worcester Polytechnic Institute graduate Alex Schwartz.[1] Owlchemy is best known for its virtual reality video games Job Simulator and Rick and Morty Simulator: Virtual Rick-ality. In May 2017, the studio was acquired by Google.[2][3]

Owlchemy Labs
TypeSubsidiary
IndustryVideo games
Founded2010 (2010) in Boston, Massachusetts, US
FounderAlex Schwartz
Headquarters
Austin, Texas
,
US
Key people
  • Devin Reimer (CEO)
  • Andrew Eiche (CTO)
  • Carrie Witt (Art Director)
  • Graeme Borland (Technical Director)
  • Daniel Perry (Audio Director)
  • Chelsea Howe (Product Director)
Products
ParentGoogle
Websiteowlchemylabs.com

Owlchemy Labs also founded VR Austin, one of the largest VR-focused meetups in the US with over 2000 members, which holds Austin based VR Meetings and hosts a yearly game jam. Before that, the founders started the Boston Unity Group and the Winnipeg Unity User Group.[4]

Alex Schwartz departed the company on July 18th, 2018 - former CTO Devin Reimer became CEO, and Andrew Eiche became CTO.[5][6]

Awards and Accolades

Games developed
Schwartz in 2016

Snuggle Truck controversy

Owlchemy originally developed a game called Smuggle Truck with a premise of smuggling immigrants into the US. The game was inspired by Owlchemy developer Yilmaz Kiymaz's experience as a Turkish citizen attempting to stay in the US after graduating. Apple rejected the game for its App Store due to the controversial subject matter. Owlchemy retitled the project Snuggle Truck and changed the premise to taking fuzzy animals to the zoo. The rebranded game was accepted into the app store.[9]

References
  1. Worcester Polytechnic Institute - Interactive Media & Game Development - People
  2. Grubb, Jeff (May 10, 2017). "Google bags Job Simulator studio Owlchemy Labs in VR's latest exit". Venture Beat. Retrieved May 10, 2017.
  3. Roberston, Adi (May 10, 2017). "Google just acquired one of the most successful VR game studios". The Verge. Retrieved May 12, 2017.
  4. "About Owlchemy Labs". Owlchemy Labs. Retrieved November 2, 2020.
  5. "Announcing new leadership at Owlchemy Labs". Owlchemy Labs. June 18, 2018. Retrieved November 2, 2020.
  6. "Both Owlchemy Labs' CEO and studio director are leaving to start something new". Gamasutra. June 19, 2018. Retrieved November 2, 2020.
  7. Hayden, Scott (January 9, 2020). "'Job Simulator' Goes Platinum, Selling Over 1 Million Copies to Date". Road to VR. Retrieved November 2, 2020.
  8. "17th Annual Game Developers Choice Awards Finalists & Winners". Game Developers Choice Awards. Retrieved November 2, 2020.
  9. "Smuggle Truck rejection" on Joystiq
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