Earlier today Facebook announced the Oculus Quest 2 headset, a brand new virtual reality headset that offers both impressive visual fidelity and a comparatively affordable price. As part of the announcement, Facebook also confirmed part of its plans for the future. These plans are perhaps as significant, if not moreso, than the Oculus Quest 2 details. Specifically, Oculus is phasing out the Oculus Rift and shifting away entirely from PC-focused virtual reality headsets going forward.
Virtual reality enthusiasts will recall that Oculus was the initial driver of today’s virtual reality headset movement. The Oculus Rift headset Kickstarter from 2012 raised $2.5 million, leading to the release of the Oculus Rift CV1 in 2016. This push for high-end PC virtual reality headsets led to competitors like HTC to also release high-end PC headsets, and continues to this day, as Valve’s Index headset remains highly popular.
But with the release of high-end PC headsets, a new market for standalone VR headsets and mobile device headsets was also born. Further, that mobile and standalone market thrived. Facebook’s acquisition of Oculus pointing toward an increasing focus on these markets seemed inevitable even to early adopters. Today’s confirmation of that from Facebook isn’t necessarily surprising, but it’ll nevertheless be frustrating for PC-focused VR enthusiasts.
To make clear, Facebook isn’t entirely abandoning the PC platform. Alongside the Oculus Quest 2 announcement, Facebook also confirmed Oculus Link will work with the Quest 2, allowing players to connect the Oculus Quest 2 to a high-end PC in order to support PC-minded virtual reality games and experiences. This feature is still only in beta testing, however.
Facebook stepping back from the PC VR market can be seen both as an opportunity for other VR headset makers and as a surrender to those already available. The Valve Index, as previously mentioned, is strikingly popular. The launch of Half-Life: Alyx led to the headset being sold out for an extended period of time. It remains in high demand, constantly on Valve’s list of top-selling products.
Regardless of Facebook’s decision, the PC virtual reality scene will continue to be well-served. Half-Life: Alyx‘s success alone shows that. And while Valve appears to be the clear market leader for PC high-end VR, it’s all but inevitable that others will enter the market with Facebook stepping back. VR remains a budding industry with plenty of room to expand. After all, that’s what led to Facebook acquiring Oculus in the first place.
Facebook’s Oculus Quest 2 headset releases October 13.
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