Oculus Rift

[Frogacuda]

What, like Google Glass? Nobody likes that shit except king dorks.

Yeah, but I think they're thinking that as that technology gets more sophisticated, to where it can convincingly blend imagery with real life, it's going to be more compelling to people. Then, of course, there's also social VR, which I'm sure will be a thing, too.

And, of course, it seems likely that the Rift is going to be a successful consumer product, as well, so I get Facebook's angle there, but the bigger question is really what Oculus gets out of it. Facebook doesn't really offer much on the hardware side of thing. Marketing, perhaps?

[kingoffighters]

I honestly don't know how this "synergizes" FB's business. I mean, Zuck is smarter than me but I don't see it. I think FB is flush with cash and is throwing stuff at the wall.

I agree. FB knows if it doesn't acquire a bunch of different business with their hugely inflated stock, they will be the next myspace.

[Shou]

And, of course, it seems likely that the Rift is going to be a successful consumer product, as well, so I get Facebook's angle there, but the bigger question is really what Oculus gets out of it. Facebook doesn't really offer much on the hardware side of thing. Marketing, perhaps?

Uh, relatively unlimited funding and freedom with FB's developer driven culture, their equity holders get to exit and make bank....pretty obvious to me

[Frogacuda]

But funding for what? It seems like they already had the funding they needed to attract the talent they wanted.

[James]

I honestly don't get the sale at all. From the outside, it looked like Oculus had all the success they could hope for. Investors lining up to give them money, a new tech that people were actually excited for that they were the only serious contender in creating, and complete control due to being independently owned. $2 billion is a lot of money (depending on when they cash out the stock, of course) but I just don't see how it's worth becoming someone else's dog.

James

[jyoung]

I honestly don't get the sale at all.

James

$$$$$

[Shou]

But funding for what? It seems like they already had the funding they needed to attract the talent they wanted.

To scale their business, even with $93 million in funding to date, device production and R&D costs a ton. Then you have the manpower costs especially with the kind of talent that they require.

[AaronChance]

There's a lot of bookkeeping and other shit I'm sure the Rift guys were sick of dealing with, and more than happy to unload to a company with much more experience like Facebook. It's win all around for those guys. Facebook gets in on the ground floor with new tech, and won't miss out again like they did with mobile gaming.

[arjue]

I don't like facebook one bit so this is kinda shitty news, but I can understand any large developer wanting to get in on VR as early as possible. It has loads of potential in fields outside of gaming too.

Then, of course, there's also social VR, which I'm sure will be a thing, too...

I think social VR apps are going to be huge. If i knew anything about programming I'd focus all of my time on VR chatrooms and virtual stores where everything is customizable. There is so much potential there, especially when you look at drivel like Habbo Hotel and Second Life.

[Diff-chan]

A few articles have been written about Kickstarter backers and this deal. I think this is the first big payout for a Kickstarter company. Comments on the backer page are pissed to say the least.

Kickstarter claims they are not a store and it's clearly not an investment opportunity. So what is it? I would have invested in OR in a heartbeat; but that's a rich mans game. Dirty proles like us can't even play. Instead we get to play pretend in exchange for more consumer junk.