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from the 0.1053-What's-Apps-worth-of-stock dept.
Several community members have commented on Facebook's purchase of Oculus VR...
Techwolf writes, "There is news spreading all over the net about Facebook buying up Occulus Rift. Some cheer, some are jeering as kickstarters backers felt betrayed along with open source folks."
Ethanol-fueled writes:
Some of you may have already heard of the Oculus Rift, the kickstarted VR headset platform associated with John Carmack. Earlier today, social networking giant Facebook purchased Oculus VR for $2 billion in cash and stock (chump change compared to the $19 billion it paid for WhatsApp) with plans not so much for VR-gaming, but for VR-real-life...
"Facebook sees VR as a way to join a virtual community from the comfort of your own home and feel like you're really there. Whether you're taking a class, seeing a concert, or checking out the sights in an unfamiliar city..."And from this article:
"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." Sounds interesting, but all are not thrilled. Minecraft creator Notch broke off a previous engagement with Oculus after he found out, saying that Facebook "creeped him out."
Perhaps the most surprising bit of news itself buried in those articles is that John Carmack now works for Facebook. Who knew?
Jaruzel writes, "From PR Newswire, 'Mobile is the platform of today, and now we're also getting ready for the platforms of tomorrow. Oculus has the chance to create the most social platform ever, and change the way we work, play and communicate,' said Facebook founder and CEO, Mark Zuckerberg. Is this the end of Oculus? Will the Rift be forever consigned to Farmville style web games? Does this news help or hinder Sony and their Project Morpheus VR headset?"
Shub writes, "The company is expected to continue to develop technology aimed at the games industry, although Facebook plans to bring it to new markets. Irish Time's Link"
Lagg writes, "I'm personally fuming, but could the inevitable backlash lead to better things in the long term? Perhaps encouraging competition in this emerging market?"
(Score: 2, Interesting) by TheB on Wednesday March 26 2014, @10:28AM
The second the crew from Gaikai joined Oculus it was only a matter of time before Oculus was sold.
Glad Palmer is getting some cash for his hard work before the big boys push him out of the market, but selling to Facebook...
Couldn't Valve make a decent offer.
Maybe Facebook won't close the system, track users, force Facebook account, etc.
Maybe this is a good thing and will give Oculus the public awareness, and cash they need to succeed.
Maybe I'll win the lottery tomorrow.
Will have to wait and see how this plays out.
However if Facebook controls the Matrix, I'm moving to Zion.