So, you all heard about Facebook buying Oculus Rift right? I considered doing an article last night, but I decided to let my own and everyone else's hot heads cool down a bit.
You should all know my thoughts on VR by now, I don't like it and it is as simple as that. I don't want to strap some big ugly device to my face and block out anyone else in the room to play a game. I don't know anyone else if my own circle that want to either regardless of what platform they game on, they simply don't want to.
Anyway, Facebook has purchased Oculus VR for 2 BILLION DOLLARS and a wave of developers have already cancelled their Oculus Rift games.
Oculus' own blog comments say it all, their first and top voted comment is:
QuoteDO NOT WANT.
That is the first comment you can see on it.
It has led figures such as Notch to outright cancel Minecraft on the Rift:
We were in talks about maybe bringing a version of Minecraft to Oculus. I just cancelled that deal. Facebook creeps me out.
— Markus Persson (@notch) March 25, 2014
A funny fact is that John Carmack who previously worked for id Software (Doom, Quake, Rage) moved to Oculus VR, he now works for Facebook because of it.
For the record, I am coding right now, just like I was last week.I expect the FB deal will avoid several embarrassing scaling crisis for VR.
— John Carmack (@ID_AA_Carmack) March 26, 2014
Sadly though, this won't mean much as their entire indie "cred" has vanished with the announcement. Facebook is interested in gaining users and monetizing them and nothing more. Selling VR kits to gamers will not be even close to the top of their "things to do with Oculus" list.
Simon Roth, the developer of Maia put it quite well:
Imagine how crap their Kickstarter backers must feel. Gave them all that cash just to line their pockets with a tech bubble style sell out.
Simon Roth (@SimoRoth) March 25, 2014
His comments also align with Notch's blog post where notch stated:
NotchAnd I did not chip in ten grand to seed a first investment round to build value for a Facebook acquisition.
Say goodbye to VR as we knew it, or rather as we didn't know it since the consumer devices weren't even out yet.
Oculus needs to do some major damage control.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
0 Likes
Some you may have missed, popular articles from the last month:
The comments on this article are closed.
All posts need to follow our rules. For users logged in: please hit the Report Flag icon on any post that breaks the rules or contains illegal / harmful content. Guest readers can email us for any issues.
If you ever got a chance to try it, you'd understand. It's fundamentally a new experience. Really, really game-changing. I was same - very sceptical. Then I tried it and if I'd had $300 there and then, I'd have bought one. Simple as that. It's that amazing.
Or rather, it /will be/ that amazing, because there are still a few kinks to iron out.
I wouldn't agree with that. Tried it for long enough to know that I really don't care for it; it's a gimmick more than anything else. Your hands are still tied to some controller and you're sitting down, so the immersion is immediately removed.
I know the "release" versions were expected to be better, but the quality of the screens was also difficult to adjust to, all I could ever see was scan lines and the awkward FOV (that was either too narrow or too warped).
I was really hyped before I tried it out -- though fortunately, I didn't actually invest in it.
0 Likes
This acquisition opens up the space for someone else to step in. I really can't imagine where Facebook's goals and those of OR's early adopters overlap in any way, so these people will surely be looking for alternatives now.
As someone above said though, this could be a major blow to Kickstarter and similar platforms. Reading comments on the web, it seems that quite a number of backers are wondering "can they even do this?", suggesting they thought they had gained some form of control over Oculus with their backing. Obviously this isn't the case, however people might have perceived it that way, so if this reality about Kickstarter starts sinking in to more and more people's minds, crowdfunding will probably see a major reduction in spending. Currently it seems people see it like an investment while in reality it is only a pre-order scheme.
Concerning the OR headset, I'm still quite bummed about this news though. So much potential now going to waste...
As someone above said though, this could be a major blow to Kickstarter and similar platforms. Reading comments on the web, it seems that quite a number of backers are wondering "can they even do this?", suggesting they thought they had gained some form of control over Oculus with their backing. Obviously this isn't the case, however people might have perceived it that way, so if this reality about Kickstarter starts sinking in to more and more people's minds, crowdfunding will probably see a major reduction in spending. Currently it seems people see it like an investment while in reality it is only a pre-order scheme.
Concerning the OR headset, I'm still quite bummed about this news though. So much potential now going to waste...
0 Likes
If you ever got a chance to try it, you'd understand. It's fundamentally a new experience. Really, really game-changing. I was same - very sceptical. Then I tried it and if I'd had $300 there and then, I'd have bought one. Simple as that. It's that amazing.I wouldn't agree with that. Tried it for long enough to know that I really don't care for it; it's a gimmick more than anything else. Your hands are still tied to some controller and you're sitting down, so the immersion is immediately removed.
Or rather, it /will be/ that amazing, because there are still a few kinks to iron out.
I know the "release" versions were expected to be better, but the quality of the screens was also difficult to adjust to, all I could ever see was scan lines and the awkward FOV (that was either too narrow or too warped).
I was really hyped before I tried it out -- though fortunately, I didn't actually invest in it.
I have to completely disagree, I loved every second of using it, but I respect your opinion.
0 Likes
If you ever got a chance to try it, you'd understand. It's fundamentally a new experience. Really, really game-changing. I was same - very sceptical. Then I tried it and if I'd had $300 there and then, I'd have bought one. Simple as that. It's that amazing.I wouldn't agree with that. Tried it for long enough to know that I really don't care for it; it's a gimmick more than anything else. Your hands are still tied to some controller and you're sitting down, so the immersion is immediately removed.
Or rather, it /will be/ that amazing, because there are still a few kinks to iron out.
I know the "release" versions were expected to be better, but the quality of the screens was also difficult to adjust to, all I could ever see was scan lines and the awkward FOV (that was either too narrow or too warped).
I was really hyped before I tried it out -- though fortunately, I didn't actually invest in it.
Sounds like we came at from different expectation. You were hyped and left disappointed. I was sceptical and left hyped.
We agree that the initial version didn't cut it. Poor resolution and a tiny, but noticable, lag made the experience just short of "immersive". But that will change.
Remember Wolfenstein for the first time? Remember how, despite the ridiculously poor graphics, you still felt that this, right here, was a game changer? Then Doom came along. Then Hexen, Quake, Half Life and the rest is history. That's the journey the Rift started.
But succeed or fail, I'm most pissed about the damage they've done to Kickstarter. Pledges on Kickstarter don't give you any leverage, but the engagement and communication give you the illusion of leverage. OR has destroyed that now. No one will trust a hardware-based kickstarter after this. No one with any sense that is.
0 Likes
Pledges on Kickstarter don't give you any leverage, but the engagement and communication give you the illusion of leverage. OR has destroyed that now. No one will trust a hardware-based kickstarter after this. No one with any sense that is.
To be honest, right now its getting harder to trust start-ups/indie games in general that get acquired. A few years ago 'Ace of Spades' was a windows/mac/Linux game which was only in 0.3 but rocked because it was 'Minecraft with Battlefield'. Jagex marched in and remade it and made a REAL mess of it. It cost £6-10 and I believe its only on Windows. So yeah, why do people bother with Kickstarters if they just go onto making deals and pretty much making the kickstarters seem worthless.
0 Likes
Sounds like we came at from different expectation. You were hyped and left disappointed. I was sceptical and left hyped.
We agree that the initial version didn't cut it. Poor resolution and a tiny, but noticable, lag
Definitely; I had to cut your quote there though as I don't agree with the last bit.
Remember Wolfenstein for the first time? Remember how, despite the ridiculously poor graphics, you still felt that this, right here, was a game changer? Then Doom came along. Then Hexen, Quake, Half Life and the rest is history. That's the journey the Rift started.
I remember all of them really quite well -- but I don't ever remember thinking at the time that they were not "amazing" in all aspects. When Half-Life came out, genuinely thought the graphics were the most immersive, the gameplay the most revolutionary and the story the most enthralling. Doom and Wolfenstein were both a bit before my proper comprehension of what I was doing, they were just good fun and better than the kids games I had at the time (and my first foray into unoffical Amiga Ports as well!). The Rift, after first use, left me with a "meh" feeling. Much like every other "Virtual Reality" device I've ever tried.
I don't see it as the future. I see burning images directly into our retinas as the more probably future. The Rift might be a stepping stone for some, but I just don't think the current concept is ever going to take off the same way using a mouse, or a gamepad has.
Ah well, each to their own.
But succeed or fail, I'm most pissed about the damage they've done to Kickstarter. Pledges on Kickstarter don't give you any leverage, but the engagement and communication give you the illusion of leverage. OR has destroyed that now. No one will trust a hardware-based kickstarter after this. No one with any sense that is.
Yeah -- I can agree with that. I've actually been disappointed with most of the 99 kickstarter campaigns I've backed. Either through lack of a Linux port (ala 7d2d), or just uninspiring gameplay (Liam will no doubt kick me for saying this, but Planetary Annihilation).
0 Likes
As someone who has been following the Snowden leaks closely, i'm very concerned.
Facebook has been given the NSA a blank check to access user content, facebook users might as well send all of their information straight to nsa.gov. I don't think that letting the NSA monitor your pupils and scan your Iris is a good idea. Apart from privacy issues, there's Facebook's blatant patent trolling; They will no doubt stifle innovation in the VR sphere with their army of lawyers.
This is bad news all around
Facebook has been given the NSA a blank check to access user content, facebook users might as well send all of their information straight to nsa.gov. I don't think that letting the NSA monitor your pupils and scan your Iris is a good idea. Apart from privacy issues, there's Facebook's blatant patent trolling; They will no doubt stifle innovation in the VR sphere with their army of lawyers.
This is bad news all around
0 Likes
razer responded to notch 'perhaps we can help out. Will be in touch.'
https://twitter.com/minliangtan/status/448606945272803328
so now there's going to be a VR-headset thats overhyped AND overpriced, were all doomed
Don't forget bright green.
0 Likes
Companies are all after the money they need to make them profitable, some may seem more ethical than the others but the money is the only thing that matters in the end. Was the original owner better than Facebook? It seems it wasn't.
I look forward to this kind of devices, whether it is through Facebook, or any other company or community project.
I look forward to this kind of devices, whether it is through Facebook, or any other company or community project.
0 Likes
People are quick to jump to conclusion and this is ok.
But we must also understand that we still have to weight for things to play out, the real world is not in the past or all in speculation its whats happening now. so we must weight and see whats happening.
I would have loved them to do it independently with ought Facebook but if partnering with Facebook helps them out then we need to give them the chance to prove this was the correct decision.
Here is another article i came across in my research read it and look at some of the things they say.
http://www.gamespot.com/articles/why-you-shouldn-t-worry-about-facebook-buying-oculus-rift/1100-6418545/
as much as i like this sight and the posts it is one sided to make a decision onthis you must look at different sites and view points.
But we must also understand that we still have to weight for things to play out, the real world is not in the past or all in speculation its whats happening now. so we must weight and see whats happening.
I would have loved them to do it independently with ought Facebook but if partnering with Facebook helps them out then we need to give them the chance to prove this was the correct decision.
Here is another article i came across in my research read it and look at some of the things they say.
http://www.gamespot.com/articles/why-you-shouldn-t-worry-about-facebook-buying-oculus-rift/1100-6418545/
as much as i like this sight and the posts it is one sided to make a decision onthis you must look at different sites and view points.
0 Likes
if partnering with Facebook
No, stop right there. They are not "partnering" with Facebook; that's PR bullshit. They have been bought by Facebook.
Facebook has no obligation to keep the team together, to keep doing Oculus stuff, to do anything. For all we know, they just bought Oculus to get hire the team (and/or especialyl Carmack). They have done that in the past, they bought companies and then moved the people to work on Facebook; the service the original company provided ceased to exist.
And even if they keep the team working on VR, there's no reason to assume it'll be anywhere near what the original Oculus Rift mission was. In fact, it would be damn right naive to assume that.
helps them out then we need to give them the chance to prove this was the correct decision.
From a cynical, capitalistic perspective, this might have been the correct decision. The people at Oculus made a quick buck, the original Kickstarter supported and developers be damned.
http://www.gamespot.com/articles/why-you-shouldn-t-worry-about-facebook-buying-oculus-rift/1100-6418545/
Yes, just like what was said for, for example, Beluga, which, oh wonder, was shut down a few months later when the original team was moved to work on Facebook Messenger.
It's like everyone has amnesia or something. Just look at what great new stuff they created after they aquired Storylane; or drop.io. What, nothing, you say? Oh, right.
0 Likes
Honestly, if they wanted to do a tech-bubble era sell-out, they should have gone with Google.
Google would have probably paid more, and given them full creative license. Not to mention that even if Google has lost their indie cred, they still have a fair amount of tech cred.
Google would have probably paid more, and given them full creative license. Not to mention that even if Google has lost their indie cred, they still have a fair amount of tech cred.
0 Likes
Honestly, if they wanted to do a tech-bubble era sell-out, they should have gone with Google.
Google would have probably paid more, and given them full creative license. Not to mention that even if Google has lost their indie cred, they still have a fair amount of tech cred.
Google probably wasn't going to offer nearly as much, because Google already has in-house talent for doing VR stuff. I assume that's why they went with Facebook for the acquisition :(
0 Likes
the future
if partnering with Facebook
No, stop right there. They are not "partnering" with Facebook; that's PR bullshit. They have been bought by Facebook.
Yes and no they have and haven't first of the deal hasn't gone through yet but that is to little concern because it will still most likely go through. second they will still be operating independently from facebook as far as we have been told facebook is more of a bank that will let them hire more people and try new things with VR for now this could change in the future.
the future
helps them out then we need to give them the chance to prove this was the correct decision.
From a cynical, capitalistic perspective, this might have been the correct decision. The people at Oculus made a quick buck, the original Kickstarter supported and developers be damned.
first of all they still are a business and if they are in it to make a quick buck but you can't get mad they are a company but i don't see it like that and in the end its all about how you view it. to me it seems like they are taking this seriously the money they got from kickstarter was a good thing and they could have made a final product with that money however it will most likely have been worse than the one they will release now however we cannot truly know. but because of this deal they can now
1 get custom parts for these devices not spare parts so price will drop for the consumer and the overall ability of the finished product will go up
2 have the ability to experiment more with VR technology and try new things which is good for us in the end.
3 hire new people to speed up development
4 the past isn't a window to the future just because facebook has messed up in the past doesn't mean that they will in the future(almost all companies mess up so you can't take it out on the companies).
5 when and if facebook messes up then you can jump on the fuck you facebook train and trust me i will be there too but you can't jump on the train at this point because its way too early to see what will happen
Yes, just like what was said for, for example, Beluga, which, oh wonder, was shut down a few months later when the original team was moved to work on Facebook Messenger.
It's like everyone has amnesia or something. Just look at what great new stuff they created after they aquired Storylane; or drop.io. What, nothing, you say? Oh, right.
just like i said the past is not a window for the future we can't assume nothing will come of it until it does then we can storm the facebook headquarters
if partnering with Facebook
No, stop right there. They are not "partnering" with Facebook; that's PR bullshit. They have been bought by Facebook.
Yes and no they have and haven't first of the deal hasn't gone through yet but that is to little concern because it will still most likely go through. second they will still be operating independently from facebook as far as we have been told facebook is more of a bank that will let them hire more people and try new things with VR for now this could change in the future.
the future
helps them out then we need to give them the chance to prove this was the correct decision.
From a cynical, capitalistic perspective, this might have been the correct decision. The people at Oculus made a quick buck, the original Kickstarter supported and developers be damned.
first of all they still are a business and if they are in it to make a quick buck but you can't get mad they are a company but i don't see it like that and in the end its all about how you view it. to me it seems like they are taking this seriously the money they got from kickstarter was a good thing and they could have made a final product with that money however it will most likely have been worse than the one they will release now however we cannot truly know. but because of this deal they can now
1 get custom parts for these devices not spare parts so price will drop for the consumer and the overall ability of the finished product will go up
2 have the ability to experiment more with VR technology and try new things which is good for us in the end.
3 hire new people to speed up development
4 the past isn't a window to the future just because facebook has messed up in the past doesn't mean that they will in the future(almost all companies mess up so you can't take it out on the companies).
5 when and if facebook messes up then you can jump on the fuck you facebook train and trust me i will be there too but you can't jump on the train at this point because its way too early to see what will happen
Yes, just like what was said for, for example, Beluga, which, oh wonder, was shut down a few months later when the original team was moved to work on Facebook Messenger.
It's like everyone has amnesia or something. Just look at what great new stuff they created after they aquired Storylane; or drop.io. What, nothing, you say? Oh, right.
just like i said the past is not a window for the future we can't assume nothing will come of it until it does then we can storm the facebook headquarters
0 Likes
second they will still be operating independently from facebook
So they claim. I don't believe a word of it.
facebook is more of a bank
Seriously? That's naive bullshit.
And if they wanted to do that, they could just have lended them money / invested in their company.
first of all they still are a business
Facebook is. Oculus isn't anymore.
if they are in it to make a quick buck but you can't get mad they are a company
Oh hell I can get mad.
Politically, I'm pretty far left, sympathising with communism even. Just take a guess what I think of people making a quick buck to the detriment of others.
the past isn't a window to the future just because facebook has messed up in the past doesn't mean that they will in the future
What. the. hell.
Let me get this straight:
A person or a company messes up 1000 times, and at the 1001st time, you would still let it do as it pleases because "the past isn't a window to the future"?
Are in the habit of wiring Nigerian princes your money? Do you answer those mails that promise you a easy work-at-home jobs that $5000 a week? When someone in the street tries to sell you a "genuine" Rolex, do you buy it?
when and if facebook messes up then you can jump on the fuck you facebook train
They have already messed up. A lot of times. If, this time, they behave, it would be an exception, not the rule.
i will be there too
Yes, you will be the rube who just paid $1000 for a $5 fake Rolex.
That you're suspicious of the person running away with your money then won't help anyone.
just like i said the past is not a window for the future
Bullshit. Past behaviour is a very good predictor for future behaviour.
A partner hitting you is a severe red flag that this person is abusive and that you should get the hell away from them. A person with a history of not paying back borrowed money is not something you should lend more to. You probably shouldn't leave a dry alcoholic alone when they're depressed or stressed.
The same holds true for companies. When a company known for abusing patent law buys a certain patent, you should watch out.
0 Likes
Here, here bones. Good to see a voice of reason amongst the drivel.
No doubt Spock would deem the selling to Bookface as a logical choice, yet as we proved to him in countless episodes, logic does not always dictate the greater outcome.
I can see great harm coming to the ability of any such future endeavours of this sort on kickstarter.
No doubt Spock would deem the selling to Bookface as a logical choice, yet as we proved to him in countless episodes, logic does not always dictate the greater outcome.
I can see great harm coming to the ability of any such future endeavours of this sort on kickstarter.
0 Likes
Patreon
PayPal
See more from me