AEXLAB, the creative force behind the virtual reality shooter Vail (2024), has launched a new crowd-investment initiative to fuel further development of the game. The studio shared exciting news that their multiplayer shooter has already raked in over $5.5 million, thanks to the enthusiastic engagement of more than 300,000 unique players across PC VR and Quest platforms.
Instead of going down the path of typical crowdfunding, where backers usually get a promised product in return for their investment, this Miami, Florida-based studio is offering an equity crowd-investment opportunity. This means they’re looking to nurture Vail’s continuous growth by inviting people to invest in the company itself.
Drawing parallels to how Virtuix financed the production of its Omni One VR treadmill back in 2023, AEXLAB wants individual investors interested in buying common stock. The studio’s investment page is now open to contributions starting at $1,000, with each share priced at $36.52.
It’s important to note that shares in private companies like this are often not easily tradeable. Unlike public stock exchanges where shares can be readily bought and sold, investors here are looking at two main paths to profit: either another company buys out the studio, or it goes public via an IPO. Both avenues typically require patience, taking around five to ten years—or possibly even more—for fruition.
While no one can predict exactly how swiftly the world of XR will expand, AEXLAB is clearly appealing to those optimistic about rapid industry growth and confident in the studio steering through it successfully.
“We’ve crafted something remarkable together and we want to invite our dedicated community members to join us in this exciting new phase,” says the team. “Here’s your chance to climb with us as we elevate VAIL VR to unprecedented levels.”
Just how high can Vail soar? Since it debuted on SteamVR and Quest earlier this year, the game has adopted an intriguing free-to-play/paid model. Players can freely explore the Citadel location, experiencing 1v1 battles and testing out various systems and weapons. Meanwhile, access to the full suite of multiplayer modes is available for purchase. This balanced approach appears to be resonating well with players.
Currently, Vail boasts an impressive score of 4.8 out of 5 on the Horizon Store for Quest, based on over 13,000 user reviews. Meanwhile, on Steam, it holds a ‘Very Positive’ rating from more than 2,300 reviews, suggesting that players are thoroughly enjoying what the game has to offer.
