Facebook buys Oculus VR for $2 Billion

[Arthur]

Would you still buy an Oculus Rift, now that Facebook own Oculus VR?

 

Sources: Oculus Blog / Facebook / Eurogamer / Engadget / The Verge / Android Police

 

It's a surprising move to be sure, but Facebook creator Mark Zuckerberg has assured us that the Oculus Rift's future in third-party gaming will be unaffected by this change, so you needn't worry that it will become exclusive to Farmville or anything like that.

 

"Oculus's mission is to enable you to experience the impossible. Their technology opens up the possibility of completely new kinds of experiences," said Zuckerberg in his announcement. "Immersive gaming will be the first, and Oculus already has big plans here that won't be changing and we hope to accelerate. The Rift is highly anticipated by the gaming community, and there's a lot of interest from developers in building for this platform. We're going to focus on helping Oculus build out their product and develop partnerships to support more games. Oculus will continue operating independently within Facebook to achieve this."

 

Phew! So what do Zuckerberg and co. want from Oculus, you ask? As it turns out, the inspiration for The Social Network explained that he's interested in utilising the Oculus for other social avenues.

 

"After games, we're going to make Oculus a platform for many other experiences," he stated. "Imagine enjoying a court side seat at a game, studying in a classroom of students and teachers all over the world or consulting with a doctor face-to-face - just by putting on goggles in your home." (Source)

 

Edited March 25, 2014 by Arthur

[Arthur]

 

'Minecraft' creator cancels Oculus Rift version following Facebook acquisition « The Verge

 

Minecraft creator Markus Persson has revealed that an Oculus Rift version of the game was potentially in the works, but following the sudden news that Facebook has acquired Oculus VR for $2 billion, that's no longer the case. "I just cancelled that deal," Persson tweeted.

 

 

http://notch.net/2014/03/virtual-reality-is-going-to-change-the-world/

Edited March 25, 2014 by Arthur

[caffrey]

Worst news ever... The threads on reddit and gaf are hilarious

[penfold_99]

Worst news ever.

 

Completely agree, amazing tech and so many different and innovative uses but all of which probably won't happen now.

[CAM]

To be fair, Facebook or Google will be the ones in a position to utilise it for non-gaming purposes and both are as bad as each other. Only it's harder to avoid using Google services...

[Theblacksheep]

Terrible news.

[Sunnyknight]

To be fair, Facebook or Google will be the ones in a position to utilise it for non-gaming purposes and both are as bad as each other. Only it's harder to avoid using Google services...

 

+1 for the above

Edited March 28, 2014 by ZeroHour

[Theblacksheep]

To be fair, Facebook or Google will be the ones in a position to utilise it for non-gaming purposes and both are as bad as each other. Only it's harder to avoid using Google services...

 

To be fair to Google, they've created tangible other things outside of their core product. Facebook hasn't.

Edited March 26, 2014 by ZeroHour

[sonofsanta]

Colour me cynical

 

I can see why Facebook have done it - telepresence - and I can see glimmers of light in the darkness, such as Facebook's contributions to open source hardware with their server designs etc. It may well be that the injection of cash and the 800 pound gorilla helps in hardware negotations and gets the spec up for a lower price.

 

But my gut feeling is disappointment and sadness and a mourning for what could have been

 

I can only hope that OR get the first version out within a year or two, before the corporate rot has had time to take hold, and that will be a good enough device to spur the market on (and be a device, not a platform). I suspect we'll need another company to carry the momentum from there, though.

 

I can see an upcoming irony in finally getting to the pinnacle of immersive visual reality only to have it constantly ruined by Facebook notifications.

[Vasriel]

I think Mark Zuckerberg hasn't realised yet that while his Facebook company has millions of users, its reputation is tainted with privacy issues.

 

It recently bought WhatsApp and the main issue people raise is Facebook will be using their personal details to promote ads on WhatsApp.

 

He should be using his Billions of dollars on researching new technologies, not buying other people's ideas. But he has probably ran out of ideas since he created Facebook.

[tmcd35]

I'm more inclined to ask why he bought it? This isn't a Facebook thing. Is he doing a Google/Apple/Amazon and making a play for the console market? Or is he really only interested in the (rather rediculous IMHO) communications aspects of it?

 

Both Sony and MS are developing their own VR head gear for PS4 and XB1 respectfully. I don't see VR headgear working in a TV console environment. (consoles next to the TV. Cable from head to console? or two high def displays run over a wireless signal?).

 

I think FB have the money and clout to develop the rift into a full fledged standalone gamind experiance that could be kinda of interesting if played right. Imagine a pico form factor console device that could clip to your belt. Attach headset and controller. Use SDHC cards to load games. I'd buy one.

 

I suppose time will tell what he makes of it. Probably just a PC add on and communications tool.

[CAM]

To be fair to Google, they've created tangible other things outside of their core product. Facebook hasn't.

 

Their products still revolve around their core product: Advertising.

 

Search: Great way to see what people want and target ads.

Drive: Obtain people's data for analytics.

Apps: See Drive. Get people on to your platform for harvesting!

ISP: Literally all the users traffic at hand! And more online = more users for Google!

Android: Integrate search, products and analytics directly into the OS.

YouTube: More data and ad revenue from the biggest video site ever.

Plus: Erm....they tried to be Facebook and failed! More data for the ad-powered juggernaut.

Chrome: Guess what, more ad data!

 

Remember, Google are an advertising company and their products revolve around the ability to collect your data for targeting adverts in your direction. It's scary how much they are in our daily lives and it frightens me a bit IMO.

 

Facebook is just an irritation I can (and have) ditched.

[sonofsanta]

As well as telepresence, I think there is also an aspect of "holy mother of god we've got a lot of money, let's spend it all! Instagram! WhatsApp! Oculus Rift!"

 

None of their recent headline acquisitions have made much sense for the price paid.

[abillybob]

I have no respect for Mark Zuckerberg and whats he has done, why? Well it's never been him that has come up with any idea he has just been the clever nerd that develops it, even Facebook was stolen and the two twins won a lawsuit againsed him (not that he cared as the settlement wasn't worth what half of Facebook is worth now).

 

He got an easy break once Facebook hit off and was very lucky that it did and that Bebo, MySpace, etc didn't hit it off as big. It seems that now he has the money he is going and buying other ideas off people to make more money, I just still can't get my head around the fact every company he owns such as Instagram, WhatsApp, Facebook, none of which he invented and made up in his own head and he's a multi-billionaire. The oculus will be ruined, it has got so much potential but this is another way for good ol' Mark to stick his head in again and ruin a product, but people won't mind and will still buy because it has his name on it, a bit like iPads and Macs people used to buy Apple products just because they loved Steve Jobs and to me technology should be something that makes lives more easier and fun, not a tool used to preach to the public that have no idea what they are going on about to make an extra buck.

 

It's a huge shame that all technology nowadays is going down the same path: Advertisements and Profits. Remember the good old days when kids like us would sit there for hours tinkering and programming games and that if your game became popular you had no care about profit you where just overwhelmed that your game did so well.... this kind of thing never happens anymore and it's sad! I thought Kickstarter would help projects like these become a reality again but if the big Cooperations are just going to buy off every good idea then what's the point.

[featured_spectre]

This is how the Oculus Rift creator is feeling right now...

 

http://d24w6bsrhbeh9d.cloudfront.net/photo/ay5P8X8_460sa.gif

 

This is how the fans of it react

 

http://d24w6bsrhbeh9d.cloudfront.net/photo/aZPvpg6_460sa.gif

 

This is how the world sees Oculus rift

 

http://d24w6bsrhbeh9d.cloudfront.net/photo/a6w8QmL_460s.jpg

[LosOjos]

I have no respect for Mark Zuckerberg and whats he has done, why? Well it's never been him that has come up with any idea he has just been the clever nerd that develops it, even Facebook was stolen and the two twins won a lawsuit againsed him (not that he cared as the settlement wasn't worth what half of Facebook is worth now).

 

He certainly isn't the first to pull such a stunt and he won't be the last. He saw an opportunity to make a fortune out of something and went for it, can't blame him for that... not saying it was the right way to go about it but I'm not going to feel too bad for the multi-millionaire Winklevoss twins. At least Zuckerberg actually made Facebook, even if it wasn't entirely his idea!

 

He got an easy break once Facebook hit off and was very lucky that it did and that Bebo, MySpace, etc didn't hit it off as big. It seems that now he has the money he is going and buying other ideas off people to make more money, I just still can't get my head around the fact every company he owns such as Instagram, WhatsApp, Facebook, none of which he invented and made up in his own head and he's a multi-billionaire.

 

Again, it's business. You don't hold on to your fortune by standing still (ask MySpace!) you have to grow. Don't get me wrong, I don't like the invasive nature of Facebook and hate that it keeps getting more and more embedded in to my daily life through all these acquisitions (I do not have a Facebook account) but I'm more angry at the companies who are selling out to them than I am at Facebook.

 

It's a huge shame that all technology nowadays is going down the same path: Advertisements and Profits. Remember the good old days when kids like us would sit there for hours tinkering and programming games and that if your game became popular you had no care about profit you where just overwhelmed that your game did so well.... this kind of thing never happens anymore and it's sad! I thought Kickstarter would help projects like these become a reality again but if the big Cooperations are just going to buy off every good idea then what's the point.

 

Presumably you're not aware of the enormous indie gaming scene then?

[Tesla]

Presumably you're not aware of the enormous indie gaming scene then?

 

If he's not aware maybe it's not so enormous

[abillybob]

He certainly isn't the first to pull such a stunt and he won't be the last. He saw an opportunity to make a fortune out of something and went for it, can't blame him for that... not saying it was the right way to go about it but I'm not going to feel too bad for the multi-millionaire Winklevoss twins. At least Zuckerberg actually made Facebook, even if it wasn't entirely his idea!

 

 

 

Again, it's business. You don't hold on to your fortune by standing still (ask MySpace!) you have to grow. Don't get me wrong, I don't like the invasive nature of Facebook and hate that it keeps getting more and more embedded in to my daily life through all these acquisitions (I do not have a Facebook account) but I'm more angry at the companies who are selling out to them than I am at Facebook.

 

 

 

Presumably you're not aware of the enormous indie gaming scene then?

 

It's just my opinion! I understand it is all business but on a personal level from what I've heard I don't like the bloke. Its as simple as that.

Regarding the indie gaming scene, I have I play more indie games than anything else and think Rust is something of a masterpiece but that was just an example, granted probably not the best but I just feel that technology is moving in a path of profitable, preaching people, spying, and everything else we all know about Google, Apple, FaceBook, Microsoft etc... It's a shame that nothing is being invented because people just like to tinker and play with stuff to help people. Sorry I'm kind of having a hard time explaining this as I don't know how I can put it simpler then using the gaming scene as an example. It would just be nice to see something that changes how we live on a daily basis that isn't made by organisations that dominate the technology industry. Bring a new brand and face to the scene things like the Oculus Rift, Pebble Smartwatch, all of these I want more off and I definatley don't want to see them fall in the hands of these big companies.

[LosOjos]

It's just my opinion!

 

Mine too, I'm debating not arguing

 

It would just be nice to see something that changes how we live on a daily basis that isn't made by organisations that dominate the technology industry. Bring a new brand and face to the scene things like the Oculus Rift, Pebble Smartwatch, all of these I want more off and I definatley don't want to see them fall in the hands of these big companies.

 

The problem is logistics. I could come up with something incredible today (theoretically, I have neither the means nor the ideas to actually do so!) that would revolutionise the way people interact with their natural environment - but how would I sell it? I'd need marketing, I'd need distribution, I'd need production lines... I'd need a lot of money. Now one way to get that money is crowd funding via something like Kickstarter. The problem there is it's a victim of its own promise as you now need either a big marketing budget or a a lot of luck to get spotted on there. The other way is to get sponsored by a big corporation, convince them of my idea and let them foot the bill, but they'll want the product to be their own for that capital.

 

EDIT: of course if you already have the capital to back such a campaign, as the Winklevoss twins did, then you had better have the business sense to protect your idea before you hand off work to someone with the means to produce it or pay the price!

 

The Internet has made it much easier for a lot of people to get discovered in all walks of life and has made it possible for all manner of products, invention, games, artists etc. to get discovered who previously would have had no chance. The problem is, week by week it seems the "signal to noise" ratio gets worse.

 

I don't know what the answer is but rest assured that if I did, I'd do it and hope that I could do it without the backing of big corp!

Edited March 26, 2014 by LosOjos

[Pottsey]

If he's not aware maybe it's not so enormous

Between Kickstarter and Steam green lights it looks pretty enormous to me. Never known the Indi scene to be as big as it is now. Its turned into a muti million pound industry making 100's of millions a year.

[abillybob]

True but for people that are successful like the Oculus Rift it could have funded itself and done quite well without the need to sell it to Facebook so why do it when you have been noticed that's my question, all people think about now is money and potentially ruin what could be an amazing product!

What are people saying aswell? is it Facebook the company that own the Oculus Rift or is it Mark Zuckerberg that has bought it to start it with a new company?

[sonofsanta]

I did read an opinion article - and I'm buggered if I can remember enough about the article to scare it up on Google now - lamenting the fact that all Silicon Valley start ups now have one goal between them: acquisition. It's not about growing yourself and taking on the world, it's about creating enough buzz and value early on that you get bought by MS, Apple, Google, Facebook... the only startup that's gone big on its own recently is probably Twitter.

[LosOjos]

True but for people that are successful like the Oculus Rift it could have funded itself and done quite well without the need to sell it to Facebook so why do it when you have been noticed that's my question, all people think about now is money and potentially ruin what could be an amazing product!

 

There aren't many people who would turn down $2bn for the sake of pride... though I have to say, in this particular instance it seems like a misjudgement to me. Less than 24 hours after the acquisition we see the boat getting rocked. I honestly believe Oculus could have stood to make a lot more money if they'd seen this though to the end without selling out, but clearly they deemed the risk of failure too great to turn down the offer. Would I have done the same in their position? If anyone ever offers me $2bn for something I have produced, I'll let you know

 

What are people saying aswell? is it Facebook the company that own the Oculus Rift or is it Mark Zuckerberg that has bought it to start it with a new company?

 

Facebook the company now owns Oculus, not Zuckerberg. However, Zuckerberg is still the majority shareholder and CEO of Facebook, so stands to make substantial profit from all acquisitions if they pay off (and considerable financial loss if they fail)

[LosOjos]

I did read an opinion article - and I'm buggered if I can remember enough about the article to scare it up on Google now - lamenting the fact that all Silicon Valley start ups now have one goal between them: acquisition. It's not about growing yourself and taking on the world, it's about creating enough buzz and value early on that you get bought by MS, Apple, Google, Facebook... the only startup that's gone big on its own recently is probably Twitter.

 

Yeah that's a bigger problem - there does seem to be a culture of creating an idea just to sell it. I wonder how many failed Kickstarter campaigns are the result of this culture, focused so much on selling an idea that they never imagined they'd have to see it through to the end and giving up when faced with that challenge.

 

Big corp acquisitions are nothing new and not in and of themselves a problem, it's the race to become a sell out that is more damaging IMO.

[featured_spectre]

Considering what facebook now own, it doesn't surprise me that they are looking at newer acquisitions!

 

Oculus Rift (OR) were the latest in a long line of acquisitions planned by them. They're looking at a few other smaller scale buys, and considering they've shelled out $18billion in less than 2 months, they can continue to buy up more and expand. It isn't going to be a bad thing, OR were coming up short on their promises, in that they couldn't supply the VR helmets to people who paid up big time, because costs were much higher than anticipated.

 

Facebook stepping in isn't bad here, hopefully they can pull it off well.