Bored with buying things in the corporeal realm, Facebook have this morning announced plans to purchase real estate in virtual reality through acquiring Oculus VR, “the leader in immersive virtual reality technology” and a startup that makes virtual reality video game headsets (or, Oculus Rift) for $US2 billion.
According to a statement released by Facebook, “While the applications for virtual reality technology beyond gaming are in their nascent stages, several industries are already experimenting with the technology, and Facebook plans to extend Oculus’ existing advantage in gaming to new verticals, including communications, media and entertainment, education and other areas. Given these broad potential applications, virtual reality technology is a strong candidate to emerge as the next social and communications platform.”
Adds CEO of Baller Transactions, Mark Zuckerberg, “Mobile is the platform of today, and now we’re also getting ready for the platforms of tomorrow. Oculus has the chance to create the most social platform ever, and change the way we work, play and communicate.” He also describes the experience of using an Oculus Rift headset thusly:
“When you put it on, you enter a completely immersive computer-generated environment, like a game or a movie scene or a place far away. The incredible thing about the technology is that you feel like you’re actually present in another place with other people. People who try it say it’s different from anything they’ve ever experienced in their lives… 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.“
Terrifying.
Photo: Robyn Beck via Getty
