Dragon Grove
| Dragon Grove | |
|---|---|
| Information | |
| VR/AR | Mixed Reality |
| Developer | Schell Games |
| Platform | Meta Horizon OS |
| Device | Meta VR Glasses, Meta Quest 3, Meta Quest 3S |
| Operating System | Meta Horizon OS |
| Type | Game |
| Genre | Puzzle, Casual |
| Input Device | Hand tracking (controller-free) |
| Play Area | Seated |
| Release Date | Spring 2027 (announced) |
| Price | Free-to-play with in-app purchases |
| App Store | Meta Horizon Store |
| Website | https://playdragongrove.com/ |
Dragon Grove is a free-to-play mixed reality 3D puzzle game developed by Schell Games for Meta VR Glasses, Meta Quest 3 and Meta Quest 3S. In the game, players partner with dragons and solve spatial plant-matching puzzles using hand tracking only, without controllers. It was announced at Meta Connect 2026 on 23 September 2026 and is scheduled to launch in spring 2027, alongside Meta VR Glasses.[1][2]
Meta described the game as "designed from the ground up for Meta VR Glasses".[2] Schell Games lists it in its portfolio as a client project with Meta as the client or partner, and its FAQ describes the game as made "in collaboration with Meta".[3][4] As of 25 September 2026 the game has not been released; its Meta Horizon Store page lists it as "Coming soon" and accepts wishlists.[5][6]
Gameplay
Players take the role of Grovekeepers, who are chosen by dragons to help them. Each level is a spatial puzzle in which the player matches plant elements such as leaves, buds and flowers to cultivate a garden grove. According to Schell Games, completing a grove releases a surge of magic that awakens dragon memories and unlocks dragon abilities that help with later puzzles.[1][2] UploadVR described the puzzles as being built around a "puzzle-box-like structure" placed in the player's room in mixed reality.[6]
The game is played entirely with hand tracking. Players match leaves and flowers directly with their hands and can pet, wave to and cradle their dragons.[3][4] Schell Games says the puzzles grow more complex as new plant types, layers and spatial mechanics are introduced, across 30 grove environments and more than 200 levels.[3] The studio's FAQ calls it a seated experience intended for relaxed play sessions.[4]
Dragons and progression
Every player starts with Pip, a green dragon. According to the FAQ, 18 dragons will be available at launch, each with its own look, personality and abilities, and all of them can be unlocked through progression.[4][1] Dragons can be customized with cosmetic items including hats, tail decorations and auras. Dragon toys are separate unlockables for interacting with a dragon, such as playing fetch or giving it a perch, and have no effect on gameplay.[4] Players can also track the progress of friends and earn daily streak rewards.[3][6]
Monetization
Dragon Grove is free to play and contains in-app purchases.[4][5] Coins are earned by completing stages and challenges and can also be bought in the in-game shop; purchased Coins do not expire.[4] Schell Games says Coins are used for cosmetics and for gameplay aids, and UploadVR reported that in-app purchases include hats, accessories and power-ups.[3][6] The FAQ describes Dragon Boosts as power-ups that give an extra match or ability use in a level, and states that every level can be completed without power-ups.[4]
Development
Dragon Grove is developed by Schell Games, a studio in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, founded in 2002 by Jesse Schell.[7] UploadVR identified the studio's earlier work as I Expect You To Die and Among Us 3D.[6] The game is built in the Unity engine.[3] Michał Książkiewicz is the game's project director.[1]
In the announcement, Jesse Schell, the studio's CEO, said that "working closely with Meta has allowed us to push the limits of mixed reality and spatial gaming."[1] Schell Games' FAQ states that the game's art, character assets and gameplay have no AI components and were made by people.[4] The studio says the game targets Meta Quest 3 headsets and newer hardware.[4]
Release
Meta announced Dragon Grove during its Meta Connect 2026 games announcements on 23 September 2026, listing it among the new titles for Meta VR Glasses and Quest.[2][8] Road to VR named it as one of the headline games optimized for hand input on Meta VR Glasses, for which Meta has promised more than 75 games and apps optimized for hand gesture input at launch.[9] In its coverage, heise online reported that Dragon Grove and Story of Seasons: Your Wonderful Life will be the two cozy games at the headset's launch.[10]
| Platform | Planned release | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Meta VR Glasses | Spring 2027 | Launching alongside the device[2] |
| Meta Quest 3 | Spring 2027 | Playable without controllers[2][11] |
| Meta Quest 3S | Spring 2027 | Playable without controllers[2][11] |
Schell Games describes the game as exclusive to Meta VR Glasses and Meta Quest 3 and 3S.[1][3] The Meta Horizon Store lists its genres as Puzzle and Strategy.[5]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 "Schell Games Announces Dragon Grove at Meta Connect 2026". Schell Games. 2026-09-23. https://www.schellgames.com/blog/schell-games-announces-dragon-grove-at-meta-connect-2026. Retrieved 2026-09-25.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 "Elevate Your Gaming With These New Titles and Updates For Meta VR Glasses and Quest, Announced at Meta Connect". Meta. Meta Platforms. 2026-09-23. https://www.meta.com/blog/connect-2026-game-announcements-meta-vr-glasses-quest/. Retrieved 2026-09-25.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 "Dragon Grove". Schell Games. https://www.schellgames.com/games/dragon-grove. Retrieved 2026-09-25.
- ↑ 4.00 4.01 4.02 4.03 4.04 4.05 4.06 4.07 4.08 4.09 "Dragon Grove - Frequently Asked Questions". Schell Games. 2026-09-24. https://www.schellgames.com/blog/dragon-grove-frequently-asked-questions. Retrieved 2026-09-25.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "Dragon Grove". Meta Horizon Store. Meta Platforms. https://www.meta.com/experiences/dragon-grove/8994417270670799/. Retrieved 2026-09-25.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 Mike Johnson (2026-09-23). "Dragon Grove Is A Cozy Free-To-Play 3D Puzzler Coming To Meta VR Glasses & Quest 3". UploadVR. https://www.uploadvr.com/dragon-grove-is-a-cozy-free-to-play-3d-puzzler-coming-to-meta-vr-glasses-quest-3/. Retrieved 2026-09-25.
- ↑ "About". Schell Games. https://www.schellgames.com/about. Retrieved 2026-09-25.
- ↑ "Everything We Announced at Meta Connect 2026". Meta. Meta Platforms. 2026-09-23. https://www.meta.com/blog/meta-connect-2026-everything-we-announced/. Retrieved 2026-09-25.
- ↑ Scott Hayden (2026-09-23). "Meta Announces 'VR Glasses' Next-Gen XR Headset, Priced at $1,300". Road to VR. https://roadtovr.com/meta-vr-glasses-unveiled-price-release-date/. Retrieved 2026-09-25.
- ↑ Josef Erl (2026-09-24). "New VR games on Meta Connect 2026: "Beat Saber" gets hand tracking". heise online. https://www.heise.de/en/news/New-VR-games-on-Meta-Connect-2026-Beat-Saber-gets-hand-tracking-11463815.html. Retrieved 2026-09-25.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 "Every New Game & Update Announced For Meta VR Glasses". UploadVR. 2026-09-23. https://www.uploadvr.com/new-games-announced-for-meta-vr-glasses/. Retrieved 2026-09-25.