My gut reaction is that Facebook wants to create the VR platform and infrastructure that will enable applications like wearables/3d printing/etc. Google Glass takes the existing world and contextualizes it with the necessary info. FB approach might be to take the same approach to the VR world.
Facebook acquires Oculus VR
431–440 of 871 posts
Re: Facebook acquires Oculus VR
#432Earlier quoted context omitted.
>I am shattered right now. Oh come on -- this is just ridiculous. They (Oculus) now have many many more times the resources at their disposal than before to make countless imaginative projects. I know i'll get down votes for saying this, but if Google was the buyer, there would be much more positive comments here. Use some rational analysis here, folks.
"if Google was the buyer, there would be much more positive comments here." The HN reaction to Google's acquisition of Nest makes me think the comments would be equally negative. I'd be hard-pressed to think of a buyer that WOULDN'T lead to negative reactions on HN... Apple: they'll make it iDevice-only, and also it will disappear for a year if not longer until Apple feels it's good and ready Microsoft: they'll screw…
I can't imagine many negative comments if Valve bought Oculus.
Re: Facebook acquires Oculus VR
#433What other acquisitions by Facebook resulted in that product falling apart? Instagram is still doing its own thing, also Parse as well.
People need to get over whatever negative emotions they have towards Facebook. It's like they hate Facebook for reminding them of a bad breakup.
Congratulations to entire Oculus team, that's an exciting acquisition and I look forward to what this infusion of cash will do to the future of an already incredible product.
Re: Facebook acquires Oculus VR
#434I opened HN after a long day today and I see this news. Sigh.
Now I wish I open HN tomorrow and see a post, maybe something like - "John Carmack quits Oculus and starts his own VR company".
Re: Facebook acquires Oculus VR
#435Earlier quoted context omitted.
Notch is a founder and owner of Mojang, the company that owns and produces Minecraft. And his space game has apparently been on hold for months.
Right, but from what I last heard, Jeb has been the maintainer with full creative control of Minecraft.
Yes, Jeb seems to be the technical lead on Minecraft these days.
But I believe that Notch and his partners still make all the calls for the company at large. While his declaration seems a bit brusque, I think the Mojang guys have quite a bit of pride in being an independent company that has done well and may wish to clearly make their corporate philosophy known.
Re: Facebook acquires Oculus VR
#436A week too soon. Oh how I wish it was April 1st.
Re: Facebook acquires Oculus VR
#437"One day I'd go out and buy all the pants in the world -- every pair of pants -- and just... burn them. Fuck everybody. No more pants. Start over with making pants."
Re: Facebook acquires Oculus VR
#438I just finished reading "Masters of Doom" last night. The book is about id software, the company that made Wolfenstein 3D, Doom, and Quake and that pioneered 3D gaming. The book primarily follows John Carmack and John Romero, two of the founders of id. Carmack was responsible for developing almost all of the 3D engine code. After finishing Quake, (what I believe to be) the first fully 3D PC game, Carmack wanted to wo…
Interestingly, John Cash, another Quake programmer, went on to lead the development of World of Warcraft, something much closer to a shared VR universe.
Re: Facebook acquires Oculus VR
#439That acquisition just doesn't make any sense, even when reading facebook's reasons:
- Who are going to use the Oculus outside of gamers? Just selling a smartwatch is already a tough sell for anyone but technologists, I just can't imagine my dad or my mom putting on a VR headset or anyone not a hardcore geek.
- And even if they would (which is dubious) the move to mobile mean it's just impossible technical wise for a long time (considering they said VR would bring a high end PC to its knee quickly)
- On top of that Facebook brings what? Money? They could already get that with investors, having a lot of users doesn't bring that much to the table.
No really I don't understand.
Re: Facebook acquires Oculus VR
#440What's with the negativity? What exactly do you think will happen that's so bad?
Virtually anyone else with the pockets to buy them would have been better. Microsoft for example have to be kicking themselves right now. After last weeks PS4 VR headset announcement I honestly expect them to buy Oculus immediately. I'm shocked they didn't or got out bid. I wonder if Carmack was in on the talks... he couldn't have possible left ID to cash in like this... he's got to be pissed off.
All I know about Carmack is that he likes the 'metaverse'. It's quite possible that he thinks he has a better chance of building it with Facebook than without.