Meta is raising the price of the Quest 2 to 400 USD • Hacker News Board

Re: Meta is raising the price of the Quest 2 to 400 USD

#141

Post by namelessoracle » Tue, Jul 26, 2022, 6:34 PM UTC

trixie_ wrote: post #7

It's a strange move given Facebook changed their name to promote VR and the Quest is their flagship device. Also surprised that after mass producing this device for almost 2 years their manufacturing and supply chain costs aren't dialed in enough to maintain the current price. The message here is that VR is 'failing'. I hope it's not, but that's the message with this backwards move.

They were taking massive losses on Quest 2. So this is a sign that the VR division is needing to tighten some belts on the losses, or that manufacturers have raised prices that this is required for them to maintain same Loss ratios and there wasn't stomach to take even further hits.

Given the stated focus of the company (to the point of renaming to highlight VR focus) I would imagine it's the supply side of the equation.

Also another callout is that I believe Quest 2's have been getting passive upgrades, with newer models having more base storage and other small enhancements.

Another callout is that its common wisdom that advertising is first to be cut during recession, so this might be pre-emptive belt tightening sense their projections show its not palatable anymore to take the same level of loss.

Re: Meta is raising the price of the Quest 2 to 400 USD

#142

Post by mepian » Tue, Jul 26, 2022, 6:34 PM UTC

echelon wrote: post #107

pathartl wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Alyx is probably one of the greatest gaming experiences I've had... but I was also able to borrow a Vive from a friend to play it. I'm a Half-Life nut so I would have bought a headset anyway, but I'm glad I haven't bought a Quest.

The immersiveness is fantastic, but movement feels like trying to use a 1970's pong controller while something is strapped to your head. I want standard joystick-based movement. I suppose too many get motion sickness, or that joysticks are ergonomically awkward to place onto motion controllers while maintaining the "pointing" and "picking up" metaphors. VR's "aim and teleport" mechanic is the worst, though. It ruins…

The game asks you whether you want standard joystick-based movement when you start it.

Re: Meta is raising the price of the Quest 2 to 400 USD

#143

Post by cardanome » Tue, Jul 26, 2022, 6:34 PM UTC

atomicnumber3 wrote: post #51

sillysaurusx wrote: post #10

I'm shocked that there aren't more multiplayer VR experiences. Yes, sure, there's Pavlov and VR Chat. But unless you have a friend who's into VR Chat, it's remarkably difficult to find a game that can immerse two different people at the same time. It felt a bit ironic that mini golf was one of the most fun multiplayer party games. My wife was like "You should bring over your quest 2!" to our new house -- she already…

I have a Vive and have played a decent number of hours in VR, and overall like it quite a lot. It's really amazing how readily our brain will "adopt" two floating hands as your own body. I'm bullish on the future of VR gaming. But I do think there's a big hurdle, and that's our inner ear. Teleport-based controls are jank but it seems really difficult to prevent motion sickness when using any kind of movement that tra…

You can develop a bit of a tolerance to it over time.

Personally, I used to get instantly motion sick and now I can stomach games where I walk around freely, at least for half a hour or so. Actual flying or swimming wont ever be in the cards though, I fear.

So yeah, if you develop a game, you absolute need to offer teleport style controls or some people will not be able to play it. I guess this is also a hurdle with just adopting existing games/genre to VR as they often rely on fast dynamic movement which would make people puke in VR.

Re: Meta is raising the price of the Quest 2 to 400 USD

#144

Post by jjcon » Tue, Jul 26, 2022, 6:35 PM UTC

Worth noting that this really only equates to a $50 increase on the base model compared to release since it was originally released as a 64GB set and now only 128GB is sold.

Re: Meta is raising the price of the Quest 2 to 400 USD

#145

Post by amerkhalid » Tue, Jul 26, 2022, 6:35 PM UTC

atomicnumber3 wrote: post #51

sillysaurusx wrote: post #10

I'm shocked that there aren't more multiplayer VR experiences. Yes, sure, there's Pavlov and VR Chat. But unless you have a friend who's into VR Chat, it's remarkably difficult to find a game that can immerse two different people at the same time. It felt a bit ironic that mini golf was one of the most fun multiplayer party games. My wife was like "You should bring over your quest 2!" to our new house -- she already…

I have a Vive and have played a decent number of hours in VR, and overall like it quite a lot. It's really amazing how readily our brain will "adopt" two floating hands as your own body. I'm bullish on the future of VR gaming. But I do think there's a big hurdle, and that's our inner ear. Teleport-based controls are jank but it seems really difficult to prevent motion sickness when using any kind of movement that tra…

Same here, I can definitely handle games in which objects move towards you like Beat Saber or Thrill of Fight.

However, if I am moving through environment, I end up becoming motion sick very quickly. In some games like The Climb, I am actually okay with it. Because anytime I fall and forget to close my eyes, I will end up becoming motion sick. It sort of make me try harder to not make a mistake.

On other hand, I am tired of games that are rated comfortable but have too much motion. Like Until You Fall, love it but cannot play for too long no matter what settings I use.

Also another issue is far too many VR videos have camera pans, zooms, and other motions that make me sick. I have stopped watching VR videos because of this. Videos should have comfort ratings too.

Really wonder if people who get motion sick is minority or people who are making VR experiences are minority but they somehow don't experience any motion sickness. Hence, they are into VR.

Re: Meta is raising the price of the Quest 2 to 400 USD

#146

Post by agloeregrets » Tue, Jul 26, 2022, 6:35 PM UTC

rg111 wrote: post #70

emadabdulrahim wrote: post #63

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I do, but I'm not entirely deaf when I wear them. I can hear my surroundings easily if I wanted to. Is there a mode in those VR headsets where one can see what's in front of them without taking them off? I'm ignorant about the tech of VR.

That becomes AR then, I guess?

I've seen the mix of VR and Ar called XR, or Extended Reality. That is what Quest Pro is.

Re: Meta is raising the price of the Quest 2 to 400 USD

#147

Post by par » Tue, Jul 26, 2022, 6:35 PM UTC

jdlyga wrote: post #110

I view the Oculus Quest in the same category as 3D TV right now. Yes, it's REALLY COOL. But 3D TV was also really cool, especially watching Pixar movies which I did all the time when I had one. It has potential, but it's just not there beyond some initial great stuff.

i dont think 3d tv was ever "really cool".

Re: Meta is raising the price of the Quest 2 to 400 USD

#148

Post by agloeregrets » Tue, Jul 26, 2022, 6:36 PM UTC

kranke155 wrote: post #87

andybak wrote: post #84

I would like to declare a new internet law: "VR will have become mainstream when someone posts a VR-related link to HN and the resultant discussion is about the article itself rather than VR in general"

VR will never become mainstream. I’ve been working in VR since 2015 and I don’t use it daily. I don’t know a single person who uses it daily. Maybe if you’re mildly autistic or remarkably introspective it works for you. For most people it’s a fundamentally alienating experience, like taking LSD but with none of the joy. VR is fundamentally an industrial technology, good for training and other purposes. For entertainm…

Supposedly the fitness hook is rather successful.

Re: Meta is raising the price of the Quest 2 to 400 USD

#149

Post by namelessoracle » Tue, Jul 26, 2022, 6:36 PM UTC

dougmwne wrote: post #21

I assume that Meta is done subsidizing the sales of the Quest. They have likely sold about 10 million units at a loss. I wonder if they have decided that the Quest is not yet the feature complete product that will run whatever they want the metaverse to be. Quest was basically an experiment and it seems they have learned what they need to. Their next headset, the Quest Pro, will have eye and face tracking cameras wit…

Alternatively, they are projecting reduction in advertising revenue due to recession and feel they cant take the hit the same way anymore but would have continued if everything else remained the same.

Re: Meta is raising the price of the Quest 2 to 400 USD

#150

Post by par » Tue, Jul 26, 2022, 6:36 PM UTC

asciimov wrote: post #92

Well that's one way to kill platform adoption momentum. My biggest problem with VR is I've never been able to use it. I've been to One Microsoft store about 3 years ago that had some VR setup, but they refused to let me try it out. I don't understand why Meta doesn't have these to try out in stores. I'm not gonna buy something I can't see, touch, and try first.

I also have never tried it, and i actually work for meta.