Game Cooks
Game Cooks (DBA NXT LYR) is a small private VR/AR game studio developing narrative-driven immersive titles, most notably the AVO escape-the-room series on Meta Quest and Steam for global VR gaming consumers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2012
- HeadquartersBeirut, Lebanon
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingSoftware
What Game Cooks does
Game Cooks, doing business as NXT LYR, is a private game development studio founded in 2012 specializing in virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and immersive interactive experiences. The studio is small, reported at 1-10 employees, and operates with a headquarters presence in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (alongside a Beirut, Lebanon origin), aligning itself with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 gaming and esports strategy. Its core product is AVO|Echoes of the Void, a narrative-driven VR escape-the-room survival game built for Meta Quest, in which players navigate zero-gravity environments, solve layered puzzles, and uncover a mystery aboard a fractured spacecraft guided by an in-game AI. The title is Part 2 of a series, leveraging a proprietary zero-gravity locomotion system with multiple movement styles (drifting, jet traversal, smooth movement, comfort teleportation) and physics-based object interaction.
Game Cooks monetizes through one-time license sales of its games distributed via third-party platforms: the Meta Quest Store, Steam, Apple App Store, and Google Play Store, with payments processed by the platforms. It has no disclosed subscription, live-ops, or advertising revenue streams. Distribution is global across these storefronts, and the studio markets through a Discord community, LinkedIn, and user reviews featured on its Meta Quest listing. The studio's analytics stack includes GameAnalytics, Firebase, Unity Analytics, Google Analytics, and Sentry/Crashlytics for crash reporting, with advertising executed through Meta Ads, Google Ads, and LinkedIn Ads.
The company has secured institutional backing, including a $400,000 early investment from Resource Group Holding at founding and inclusion in Impact46's SAR 150 million Gaming Fund (launched March 2024), under which Impact46 allocated SAR 25 million+ across five gaming studios including Game Cooks. Compliance posture covers GDPR, UK GDPR, and Saudi Arabia PDPL. Overall, Game Cooks is an early-stage, content-led indie studio whose growth depends on title-level hit performance on third-party VR storefronts rather than recurring enterprise revenue.
Game Cooks firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Game Cooks
- Legal name
- Game Cooks
- Website
- https://avovr.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2012
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Game Cooks (DBA NXT LYR) is a small private VR/AR game studio developing narrative-driven immersive titles, most notably the AVO escape-the-room series on Meta Quest and Steam for global VR gaming consumers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Game Cooks industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Virtual Reality Games
- NAICS
- Amusement Arcades (71312)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Narrative/Adventure & RPG Game Studios (MPAFAAAL)
Keywords
Where Game Cooks is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Beirut
- HQ country
- Lebanon
- HQ region
- Middle East
Offices1 record
Markets served
Game Cooks business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Game Sales and App Store Distribution: Revenue generated through direct sales of VR games via platforms such as Meta Quest Store, Steam, Google Play Store, and Apple App Store. Payments are processed exclusively by third-party platforms.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Game Sales |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels3 records
Game Cooks product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Game Cooks is an independent game studio that develops and publishes immersive virtual reality, augmented reality, and mobile games. Its flagship product, AVO┃Echoes of the Void, is a narrative-driven VR escape-the-room survival game built for the Meta Quest headset, featuring a proprietary zero-gravity movement system, physics-based object interaction, and progressively layered puzzles set aboard a fractured spacecraft.
Product overview
Game Cooks operates under the brand name NXT LYR and specializes in developing games, virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and immersive interactive experiences. The company's primary product is AVO┃Echoes of the Void, a VR escape-the-room game for Meta Quest featuring zero-gravity movement mechanics, narrative-driven gameplay, and AI-guided exploration across shattered spacecraft pods.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- AVO┃Echoes of the Void
Quantifiable outcome
- Multiple positive community reviews highlighting 5-star ratings, immersive experience, and high satisfaction
Companies that use Game Cooks
Customer profileSegments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Game Cooks technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration12 records
Feature4 records
Game Cooks partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators3 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Game Cooks competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Stress Level Zero: Indie VR studio behind Boneworks and Bonelab, focused on immersive physics-driven VR gameplay. Comparable to Game Cooks in indie VR scale and emphasis on unique movement/interaction mechanics.
- Resolution Games: Independent VR game studio publishing narrative and puzzle titles across Meta Quest and Steam. Most directly comparable to Game Cooks in target platform (Quest-first VR), genre (puzzle/escape/adventure), and indie studio scale.
- Schell Games: VR-focused game studio known for immersive narrative and puzzle experiences (e.g., I Expect You To Die). Directly comparable to Game Cooks in VR-first narrative-puzzle design and Quest/Steam distribution.
- Polyarc: Indie studio behind the Moss franchise, a narrative-driven VR adventure series on Meta Quest. Comparable to Game Cooks as a small studio with a narrative VR franchise spanning multiple parts.
- Owlchemy Labs: VR game developer (Vacation Simulator, Cosmonious High) publishing on Meta Quest and Steam. Closely aligned with Game Cooks in VR-first, experience-driven design and platform-led distribution.
- Tender Claws: VR/AR game studio behind narrative-driven titles like The Under Presents and Virtual Virtual Reality. Comparable to Game Cooks in narrative-led VR design and multi-platform (Quest, Steam) release strategy.
- Vertigo Games: VR-focused publisher and developer (Arizona Sunshine, After the Fall). Comparable to Game Cooks in VR title production across Meta Quest and Steam with a narrative-adventure orientation.
- nDreams: UK-based VR game studio and publisher with a catalog of Quest and PSVR titles. Comparable to Game Cooks as a dedicated VR studio building multiple narrative/experience-led IPs.
- Coatsink Software: Indie VR developer (Onward, Jurassic World: Aftermath) publishing on Meta Quest and Steam. Comparable to Game Cooks in small-team VR development with multi-platform distribution.
Broad incumbents
- Meta (Reality Labs): Owner of the Meta Quest platform and several first-party VR studios (e.g., Beat Games). A broad incumbent relevant as the dominant distribution and hardware partner on which Game Cooks' primary product depends.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights5 records
Customer concentration
Game Cooks social profiles
Digital presenceGame Cooks compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
Game Cooks financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Game Cooks leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Game Cooks funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors2 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Game Cooks M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Game Cooks
What does Game Cooks do?
Game Cooks is an independent game studio that develops and publishes immersive virtual reality, augmented reality, and mobile games. Its flagship product, AVO┃Echoes of the Void, is a narrative-driven VR escape-the-room survival game built for the Meta Quest headset, featuring a proprietary zero-gravity movement system, physics-based object interaction, and progressively layered puzzles set aboard a fractured spacecraft.
Is Game Cooks a public or private company?
Game Cooks is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Game Cooks founded?
Game Cooks was founded in 2012. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Game Cooks based?
Game Cooks is headquartered in Beirut, Lebanon, in the Middle East region.
How does Game Cooks make money?
One revenue line is on record: game Sales and App Store Distribution.
Who are Game Cooks's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Stress Level Zero, Resolution Games, Schell Games, Polyarc, Owlchemy Labs, Tender Claws, Vertigo Games, nDreams and Coatsink Software. Meta (Reality Labs) is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Game Cooks have an API?
No public API is recorded for Game Cooks.
What industry is Game Cooks in?
Game Cooks's product category is Virtual Reality Games. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAFAAAL, Narrative/Adventure & RPG Game Studios. Its NAICS code is 71312.