AEXLAB, the creative minds behind the VR sensation Vail (2024), have kicked off a crowd-investment initiative to continue enhancing their highly popular game. Remarkably, this multiplayer shooter has raked in over $5.5 million in revenue, thanks to a community of over 300,000 enthusiastic players on PC VR and Quest platforms.
Unlike your standard crowdfunding campaigns where supporters typically receive a product for their contribution, this Miami-based studio is opting to secure funding through equity crowd-investment. This strategy echoes what Virtuix did with their Omni One VR treadmill in 2023. Essentially, AEXLAB is inviting private individuals to invest by purchasing common stock in the company. On their investment page, they’ve set a minimum buy-in of $1,000, with shares priced at $36.52 each.
It’s important to note that investing in private companies comes with its quirks. These shares aren’t easily traded like those on public stock markets. To see a return, investors might need to wait for major changes like the company being acquired or going public — scenarios that typically take “approximately 5-10 years,” according to the studio’s FAQ.
Predicting the rapidity of XR technology expansion might be tricky, yet AEXLAB seems to reach out to those who have faith in the XR industry’s booming potential and, importantly, in AEXLAB’s ability to steer through that growth successfully.
“We’ve built something extraordinary with your support, and it’s important to us to give longstanding community members like you the chance to be part of this next chapter,” the studio expressed. “This is your opportunity to join us as we scale VAIL VR to heights previously only dreamed of.”
So, what’s next for Vail? Since launching on SteamVR and Quest earlier this year, the game thrives on a unique free-to-play/paid model. While players can access its Citadel location for free, complete with 1v1 battles and a testing ground for various features, purchasing unlocks a host of multiplayer modes.
Judging by feedback, this model is paying off. As of now, Vail holds a stellar [4.8/5] rating on the Horizon Store for Quest, based on more than 13,000 reviews, and maintains a ‘Very Positive’ rating on Steam, with contributions from over 2,300 users.
