Sony’s Project Morpheus reveal at GDC appeared to be the biggest virtual reality news of the month, but Facebook has just topped that by acquiring Oculus Rift VR for approximately $2 billion.
Oculus VR is responsible for the Oculus Rift, a virtual reality headset that has yet to see a commercial release. According to Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Oculus represents the potential for groundbreaking future technology.
“Mobile is the platform of today, and now we’re also getting ready for the platforms of tomorrow,” he explained. “Oculus has the chance to create the most social platform ever, and change the way we work, play and communicate.”
Brendan Iribe, co-founder and CEO of Oculus VR, also expressed his excitement regarding the acquisition.
“We are excited to work with Mark and the Facebook team to deliver the very best virtual reality platform in the world,” he said. “We believe virtual reality will be heavily defined by social experiences that connect people in magical, new ways. It is a transformative and disruptive technology, that enables the world to experience the impossible, and it’s only just the beginning.”
If nothing else, this means Oculus VR will now have access to far more money and resources with the help of Facebook. The company plans to release a commercial version of the Oculus Rift some time in late 2014/early 2015.
[Facebook]
Comments are closed.