Step (Carefully) Inside the Dumb Ways to Die Universe on Meta Quest Now

Two months ago, PlaySide Studios announced that it was bringing the beloved-if-slightly-unhinged Dumb Ways to Die franchise into fully immersive VR. And now, the wait is over as those lovable accident-prone Beans have burst onto Meta Quest with the launch of Dumb Ways: Free For All on the Meta Horizon Store.

Despite the name, Dumb Ways: Free For All is *not* actually free for all (or anyone, really). But for $19.99 USD, it can be yours! Whether you’re traveling solo or with up to five friends, it’ll be a holiday to remember with 50 minigames split across two destinations: the sandy shores of Bumbling Bay and the treacherous terrain of Jumble Jungle.

And that’s not all! On December 9, you can travel to Freezerville, while January will beam you up to Beanulon Prime. Each of those two free DLCs will add 25 additional minigames, bringing the grand total to 100.

We sat down with PlaySide Studios Dumb Ways Brand Manager Teena Sakkas to learn more.

Teena Sakkas: I came through an unconventional pathway into game development as I came from a background of studying science. During a period when I was highly motivated to pursue a career in game development, I was actively creating social content centered around gaming and pop culture. This ultimately fueled my passion and drive to work at PlaySide Studios. When I joined PlaySide Studios, I began in QA, which was incredibly rewarding. It gave me invaluable insights into the development process and formed a strong foundation for my career. From there, I transitioned into Production, working on both PC and mobile titles, and then into my role now as Brand Manager.

TS: My first experience with the brand was when the PSA was first released back in 2012—you couldn’t go to any train station in Melbourne without hearing the catchy tune!

TS: Throughout my five years at PlaySide Studios, I’ve had the chance to work on the Dumb Ways franchise in many different roles: as QA, Producer, and now in Brand Management.

TS: Taking the franchise’s signature chaotic humor into VR felt like the perfect fit and a natural progression for us. With players seeking new immersive experiences, we aimed to stay true to the Dumb Ways to Die legacy of engaging, fast-paced minigames while enhancing the experience through the social aspect of multiplayer. As our first title with multiplayer, friends can now enjoy the game together and share in the laughter. Dumb Ways: Free For All was made possible through the Meta Horizon Platform, which offers the perfect environment for this type of interactive experience. This new title delivers enjoyable and memorable gameplay for all!

TS: We had a very clear vision of what the game would be from the beginning, and the premise remained consistent throughout development. The challenge of bringing 100 minigames to life was something the development team was excited about. Continuously generating fresh and fun ideas that stayed true to the brand’s playful nature was key, and the team has created a game that our audience will love.

TS: I’ve definitely heard a lot of screams and exclamations from people when they first play the game and they encounter the minigame where the piranhas are flying towards you and you have to slap them away. A lot of people aren’t ready for how quickly they come at you and how many there are!

TS: With so many different mechanics constantly being added in for each new minigame, some created a little bit of chaos in the beginning—really staying true to the brand. Beans started floating off into the sky, disappearing from the minigames, and smiling at you serenely as they disappeared.

TS: The brand started as a PSA but now stands as a gaming and entertainment brand in its own right, engaging audiences through multiple genres and platforms. Over the years, the brand has expanded significantly through the mobile game titles, social media content, merchandise, and collaborations—each maintaining the original humor and charm.

TS: The amount of minigames! The development team delivered an incredible collection of 100 engaging minigames, launching with an initial 50 and expanding it by 25 with each free DLC release. Minigames have always been at the heart of our mobile experience, and now we’ve elevated them to new heights in this wacky VR experience—with each one as hilariously chaotic as the last. The ability to play these minigames with your friends and sabotage them by throwing things at them to put them off their game is definitely my favorite part. If you’re a bit competitive like I am, this will likely be your favorite feature, too!

TS: Dumb Ways: Free For All takes the beloved Bean characters and the wacky humor the brand is known for into the immersive world of VR, and it is the first title to be launched off the mobile platform.

TS: The Dumb Ways brand extends beyond its core safety message, infusing everything we do with humor and a playful spirit. Our goal is to provide entertainment through multiple platforms and genres, and for audiences all ages.

TS: Yes, Shattered is one of our fantastic mixed reality titles. We have dedicated teams for each one of our titles, though the exchange of development skills between projects is actively encouraged.

TS: Dumb Ways: Free For All is the perfect VR party game, providing endless fun to friends and family as well as creating a brand-new experience for the Dumb Ways franchise.

TS: We have a lot of really exciting things in the pipeline for Dumb Ways, and we can’t wait to share it with everyone when we can!