Facebook takes US$2 billion dive into virtual reality

[webfact]

Facebook takes $2 billion dive into virtual reality

SAN FRANCISCO - Facebook on Tuesday announced a $2-billion deal to buy a startup behind virtual reality headgear that promises to let people truly dive into their friends' lives.

Facebook co-founder and chief Mark Zuckerberg said that the acquisition of Oculus was a long-term bet that making the social network’s offerings more immersive would pay off.

"People will build a model of a place far away and you will just go see it; it is just like teleporting," Zuckerberg said.

"I do think gaming is a start," he said in a conference call, referring to the Oculus headset’s original design focus.

Zuckerberg billed the acquisition as part of a drive to build the "next major computing platform that will come after mobile."

For now, Facebook will use its resources to make Oculus headgear affordable and ubiquitous, according to Zuckerberg.

The California-based social network does not intend to become a hardware company, but Zuckerberg said it is open to people using virtual reality devices for immersive shopping experiences at Facebook.

Facebook plans to build on Oculus technology for areas such as communications, education, and entertainment.

Oculus shareholders will receive $400 million in cash and 23.1 million Facebook shares in the deal.

Facebook called Oculus, launched in 2012, the leader in immersive virtual reality technology with a strong following among developers.

The company has already garnered more than 75,000 orders for the $350 Oculus Rift headset development kits.
AFP


-- The Nation 2014-03-26

[GentlemanJim]

The oculus rift is an awesome piece of technology that offers incredibly immersive experiences. So good is it in fact that some people may need a defribulator next to their computer as the level of realism is very high on an emotional basis. Great news that Zuckerberg is putting money in to this, it should be in the shops soon. You can already buy the alpha/beta versions, but with this news the software companies will go full steam ahead to develop quality software. Futurama comes closer!

[Jonmarleesco]

Virtual reality headwear? Just how many people out there don't have a real life?

[speedtripler]

Virtual reality headwear? Just how many people out there don't have a real life?

if zuckerberg had a life ,there wouldnt even be facebook

[bkk_mike]

Virtual reality headwear? Just how many people out there don't have a real life?

If they get down to around the price of a decent monitor, and get software support (where Oculus had help from Valve), then there's a decent market there. (Even if only to people who would have built multi-monitor setups.)

But $2bn for a company that has only ever released a developer version of their hardware does seem a bit pricey.

Edited March 26, 2014 by bkk_mike

[midas]

Virtual reality headwear? Just how many people out there don't have a real life?

If they get down to around the price of a decent monitor, and get software support (where Oculus had help from Valve), then there's a decent market there. (Even if only to people who would have built multi-monitor setups.)

But $2bn for a company that has only ever released a developer version of their hardware does seem a bit pricey.

but compared to the $19 billion they paid for WhatsApp it seems like a steal

[jimbeam1]

Virtual reality headwear? Just how many people out there don't have a real life?

If they get down to around the price of a decent monitor, and get software support (where Oculus had help from Valve), then there's a decent market there. (Even if only to people who would have built multi-monitor setups.)

But $2bn for a company that has only ever released a developer version of their hardware does seem a bit pricey.

He who dares Rodders.

jb1

[IsaanUSA]

Damnit, <deleted>? Get Facebook out of there.

[IsaanUSA]

Wow, read other forums/articles. People are not happy.

Minecraft cancelled their plans with Oculus : https://twitter.com/notch/statuses/448586381565390848

[IsaanUSA]

lol

[IsaanUSA]

wow, read the Kickstarter comments : https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1523379957/oculus-rift-step-into-the-game/comments

Kickstarter doesn't work like stock, you do not own part of the company, but some people who gave money to see this project proceed are not happy and want their money back.

[GentlemanJim]

wow, read the Kickstarter comments : https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1523379957/oculus-rift-step-into-the-game/comments

Kickstarter doesn't work like stock, you do not own part of the company, but some people who gave money to see this project proceed are not happy and want their money back.

Well this could well cause the collapse of kickstarter which has been responsible for initiating some amazing projects. Oculus wanted $250K to develop their product. The crowd pledging fraternity have pledged over 2M dollars of their own money to see VR become a viable exciting reality (no pun intended). Today Oculus as a result of that private pledging by individuals on kickstarter have just sold the 'concept' for $2 billion!!!! This could lead to some pretty interesting class actions by those that pledged, and of course many people on Kickstart are screaming that they will never support another project.

Sony launched a competing project called Project Morpheus, I think they will be happy at the moment as the entire gaming world have just turned against the Oculus. Some software developers have already announced today they are dropping support and development of the Oculus. Still, the guys that came up with the idea have just become billionaires. I doubt they really care.

[F430murci]

Virtual reality headwear? Just how many people out there don't have a real life?

if zuckerberg had a life ,there wouldnt even be facebook

I hate to say he probably has a life like we cannot comprehend because of Facebook.