Quick question:
A)Oculus: Technology proactive, small budget, lots of growth potentail
B)Facebook: Technology proactive + huge budget reserves
C)Game Developers: Technology reactive, small budget resources, growth dependent on market segment performance (video game sales)
Which two added together do you think will make the biggest impact?
I have a smart TV with facebook in it, turns out you can disable that feature... Oculus is a display too, albeit a more advanced display than a TV, but still a display. They won't require you sign into Facebook to use the Rift, but if you want to use it for more than just gaming (which you definitely will), the apps will be cleverly implemented into the display for seamless virtual user experience no matter what you may be using it for. I see this as a good move for both parties - Facebook gets to be branded as the first company to SUCCESSFULLY introduce VR - and will directly compete with the augmented reality segment coming. Everyone who likes the idea of VR and thinks this is a bad move is missing the bigger picture - VR will be a portal to much more than immersive gaming. Using it the way that Zuckerburg is meant to be used - "But this is just the start. After games, we're going to make Oculus a platform for many other experiences. Imagine enjoying a court side seat at a game, studying in a classroom of students and teachers all over the world or consulting with a doctor face-to-face -- just by putting on goggles in your home.
This is really a new communication platform."
If you really think about the difficulties it would take to implement this kind of idea, it will not only require all kinds of different compatibility issues with hardware suppliers, but imagine the logistical nightmare trying to initiate integration with social, information and media networks to broadcast all the data you'd need for an avatar-like experience in realtime with minimal lag. These networks will first need to develop mainstream cameras that can record video on full 360 axis in stereoscopic 60z 3D and be able to broadcast that kind of bandwidth to millions of people (think of how many millions of people at one time would tune in to watch the Superbowl through the "Rift Network"). We don't even need to go into how virtual reality would benefit communications like meetings, in depth training seminars with virtual hands on exercises from across the world. Then: home user virtual reality cameras so you can record little Johnny take his first steps and replay them again virtually like he is standing right in front of you.
Long story short, this vision requires muscle, like the kind that only Google and Facebook can provide. That is the benefit to Oculus. Did you think game developers were going to lead the virtual revolution? No, they are too busy trying to keep up the the sea-change in demand for games that fit different formats (virtual, augmented, glasses free 3D, 4k resolution, etc,etc..) that they don't have the time or resources to push the envelope. I mean, we're still waiting for the games to catch up to the unbelievable hardware available now and in the near future. How long has directX11 been out now iRacing? cough cough... I for one love the fact this partnership is announced. Okay so maybe the rift will be not entirely focused on gaming alone, but the ball is rolling in the right direction towards a virtual future and yes we can also play video games on it too while we wait for a stripped down hardcore gaming headset that you all are talking about... but who are we kidding, we'll still wanna use it for virtual porn also. just sayin.
