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Oculus Announces Partnership With Microsoft

An anonymous reader writes: At its pre-E3 press conference today, Oculus announced a partnership with Microsoft. The company plans to launch a new Rift headset early next year that will be packaged with a wireless Xbox One controller. Oculus will ship the controllers with the recently announced Xbox wireless adapter. Xbox chief Phil Spencer said. "We believe we'll be able to create state of the art virtual reality experiences with the Oculus Rift on top of Windows."

105 comments

  1. Wow by binarylarry · · Score: 5, Interesting

    It was great knowing you, Oculus.

    Hopefully Valve has a little more sense. They seem to have better hardware than Oculus.

    --
    Mod me down, my New Earth Global Warmingist friends!
    1. Re:Wow by Spy+Handler · · Score: 2

      Facebook already bought Oculus last year. Actually kind of makes sense that they'd sell units to Microsoft for Xbox use.

    2. Re:Wow by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Certainly explains why they halted Linux and Mac OSX development

    3. Re: Wow by binarylarry · · Score: 2

      Yep, fuck them.

      --
      Mod me down, my New Earth Global Warmingist friends!
    4. Re:Wow by The-Forge · · Score: 1, Redundant

      They paused Linux and Mac OS development to focus on Windows because that's where the MAJORITY of PC users are. Once they have that end of it all nice and tight and made some money, then they can look at finishing the Linux and Mac support. If you want to come back with "oh, they have Facebook's billions", that's not true. Facebook isn't stupid and they won't blindly pump cash into a subsidiary (remember, they weren't absorbed, they still operate as an independent entity) without a plan to profitability. Getting up, running and selling on Windows ASAP is the best plan for that.

    5. Re:Wow by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Valve doesn't have any hardware. The headset they want to use is made by HTC.

    6. Re:Wow by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Then you're betting on the wrong horse. Microsoft is well known to make quality hardware. Partnering with Microsoft may be the best thing Oculus has done.

    7. Re:Wow by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

      As a Mac gamer, I've heard this story from the game industry many times before, and I know how it always ends. No thanks. I'll be looking to HTC Vive.

    8. Re:Wow by hitchhacker · · Score: 4, Informative

      They didn't just pause development. They ripped the whole thing out of their source distribution along with the build utilities except for msvc project files. "Pause" would have meant at least keeping and accepting patches for what they had.

    9. Re:Wow by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Maelstrom is pretty good.

    10. Re: Wow by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      FOSS fanatics and Linux zealots are the worst and a nightmare to support for any company.

      You will never please those people anyway. FOSS has gone backwards fast, if anything it needs saving from the very people that advocate for it. Linux --- the darling child of FOSS --- has become the vehicle by which proprietary software (Google Play Service for example), DRM'd content (Tivo for example) and SaaS (it is used as the basis for most webservers and datacenters) is served up. The community has done nothing with Linux outside of a few dozen copycat desktop distros used by a handful of people, combined they have less % marketshare than Windows Phone (the much maligned and oft-considered abject failure of the smartphone world) has of the smartphone market.

      In the last 3 decades computing has been more locked down than ever and FOSS has not innovated at all in the personal computing space. There was an opportunity with Android but the community failed to do anything with it, no innovation at all and the result is that the "free" parts of Android are a carrier for Google's proprietary "services" library...where is the FOSS alternative? Nowhere to be seen. There is still no compelling free desktop, laptop, tablet, smartphone or wearables so if FOSS is truly an innovative ideology then the problem is those leading it and advocating for it.

      FOSS isnt dying because it is bad, it is dying because the FOSS community is now just made up of advocates --- not innovators or creative thinkers --- nobody that creates anything truly brilliant.

      FOSS is a genuinely good idea, but it needs to saved from loud-mouthed, opinionated do-nothings who advocate for it.

    11. Re: Wow by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Or maybe, just maybe, FOSS works fine, and you don't bother using it.

      Whining is easier than apt-get apparently.

    12. Re:Wow by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Anyway, these headsets only make sense if they can also give you a blowjob. Until we have that functionality, they will only have limited commercial success.

    13. Re:Wow by gl4ss · · Score: 1

      kinda hard for them to promote oculus solution since it will not be out until next year anyways.

      --
      world was created 5 seconds before this post as it is.
    14. Re:Wow by NotDrWho · · Score: 1

      So you were okay with Facebook buying them, but an meaningless partnership with MS is what pushed you away?? lol

      --
      SJW's don't eliminate discrimination. They just expropriate it for themselves.
    15. Re:Wow by retchdog · · Score: 1

      Marathon.

      --
      "They were pure niggers." – Noam Chomsky
    16. Re:Wow by Penguinisto · · Score: 1

      Actually, outside of the XBox and a few flop projects (Kin, Zune), Microsoft usually re-branded others' hardware and sold that (e.g. re-branded Logitech keyboards and mice, etc).

      I believe in this case, they'll probably leave the gruntwork to Oculus for the hardware (since it's a subsidy of Facebook).

      --
      Quo usque tandem abutere, Nimbus, patientia nostra?
    17. Re:Wow by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Bullshit. Microsoft designs their own keyboards and mice. They have never rebranded Logitech.

      Go spread your FUD elsewhere, Lunix nutjob.

    18. Re: Wow by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Or maybe, just maybe, FOSS works fine, and you don't bother using it.

      Ok so where are the FOSS commercial content channels? Netflix, Hulu, HBO Go, iTunes, Spotify, Pandora, Apple Music, etc. where are the FOSS alternatives? Oh right, there aren't any.

      Where is the innovation (not just me-too clone) on the FOSS desktop, smartphone, tablet, wearable?

  2. HoloLens? by P1h3r1e3d13 · · Score: 1

    I thought MS was building this stuff in-house. What happened to HoloLens?

    1. Re:HoloLens? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I thought MS was building this stuff in-house. What happened to HoloLens?

      Turns out they were infringing on quite a few pants.

    2. Re:HoloLens? by JediJorgie · · Score: 1

      AR vs VR... very different use cases. The product don't really compete at all.

      HoloLens is also a self-contained computer. The Rift is a display that needs to be driven by a fairly beefy computer..

    3. Re:HoloLens? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      AR can become VR with a simple visor to obscure vision beyond the display, just like the one available for Virtual I/O i-Glasses so many years ago.

  3. The Result by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    This is going to produce a big rift.

    1. Re:The Result by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      This is going to produce a big rift.

      Go to hell.

    2. Re:The Result by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Interesting viewpoint, I'll have to consult your mother's big rift for more insight.

  4. Visible controllers by Neo-Rio-101 · · Score: 4, Interesting

    The article does raise one major issue with VR in regards to controllers.

    Every time I've experimented with the Oculus, I have to place my hands on the keyboard to find the controls before I put the headset on... BEFORE I being to wear the Oculus. Otherwise, I drop the headset on and feel around for the keyboard.

    This is incredibly clunky. I should be able to see my controller with the headset on. The VR system needs to detect controllers, and what's displayed on them, as it does head motion tracking.

    So there is still plenty of work to do there.

    --
    READY.
    PRINT ""+-0
    1. Re:Visible controllers by Simulant · · Score: 3, Interesting


      I think they need cameras on the outside so you can toggle a quick view of reality without removing the gear.

    2. Re:Visible controllers by Fwipp · · Score: 1

      It's a controller, so just put it on your lap before you put the headset on.

    3. Re:Visible controllers by phantomfive · · Score: 1

      You are right, that's an issue, but..........

      if that's the worst issue, then VR is gold.

      --
      "First they came for the slanderers and i said nothing."
    4. Re:Visible controllers by jinchoung · · Score: 1

      this is why keyboards like textblade, with touch sensitive keys that actually don't send an input signal until you push down will be important for vr.

      with that kind of keyboard, you can have a u.i. representation of the keyboard (e.g. like if you look down) and you can tell where your fingers are by glows that correspond to what keys you're touching... but the touch doesn't mean that you are entering any text yet. it's just to orient yourself on the keyboard. then you push down on the key as normal and send commands or whatever.

    5. Re:Visible controllers by TheRealMindChild · · Score: 1

      Think

      Oculus + HoloLense

      I don't think this is as random as people seem to think it is

      --

      "When life gives you lemons, don't make lemonade. Make life take the lemons back!" -- Cave Johnson
    6. Re:Visible controllers by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      If only someone http://www.vrvana.com/ had thought of that

    7. Re:Visible controllers by deek · · Score: 1

      I agree that if you're going to use a physical controller, you should hopefully see a virtual representation of it as well. It would make the experience of virtual reality less jarring.

      The combination of the Xbox, Oculus, and the Kinect could be an interesting one though. The Kinect provides a method to control virtual reality through voice and gestures. No physical controller needed. It may be the way to work with virtual reality, and Microsoft have everything in place to take advantage of it. Done right, it could be a winner, and may even make me consider getting an Xbox.

    8. Re:Visible controllers by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Carmack calls it the diet coke button - video passthrough so that he can find his diet coke.

      http://www.engadget.com/2014/09/08/gear-vr-versus-oculus-rift/

    9. Re:Visible controllers by Neo-Rio-101 · · Score: 1

      Actually, having cameras on the outside to detect the actual reality, and then import the visuals to the VR would be a good idea worth investigating. ...but then, with a few tweaks, the hololens could probably do the same job as the oculus.

      --
      READY.
      PRINT ""+-0
    10. Re:Visible controllers by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      This is /., yet... Don't people know how to touch type?

    11. Re:Visible controllers by DigiShaman · · Score: 1

      The simple solution would just be a physical redesign of the mask portion in that the bottom of the eye pieces have a cutout with mirrors arranged to put the keyboard into view. It wouldn't be too distracting if at all, but it might break the immersive suspension of disbelief while playing. If so, perhaps a small spring loaded flap that you can flip down to take a peek now and then to what's below.

      --
      Life is not for the lazy.
    12. Re:Visible controllers by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I gather the HTC Vive actually does this (making controllers visible), or at least it has been demonstrated.

    13. Re:Visible controllers by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      As far as I know, the Vrvana Totem headset has always had cameras built in for that sort of purpose, and it's part of their sales pitch.

    14. Re:Visible controllers by Bing+Tsher+E · · Score: 1

      A complicated mechanism to accommodate those few who still aren't touch typists?

    15. Re:Visible controllers by DigiShaman · · Score: 1

      The critique is fair, but you honestly think a simple wide and narrow plastic spring loaded flap is a "complicated mechanism"?? It would be easy to flip down via a protruding tab that you can push with either the index or middle finger; all in a split second to see what's below you. But, whatever.

      --
      Life is not for the lazy.
    16. Re:Visible controllers by 3.5+stripes · · Score: 1

      The Vive controllers show up as they are in your environment...

      --


      He tried to kill me with a forklift!
    17. Re:Visible controllers by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      A keyboard is not a good controller for VR, the Oculus Touch prototypes will do a better job when they arrive in H1/2016

    18. Re:Visible controllers by Impy+the+Impiuos+Imp · · Score: 1

      Well it sure isn't "see my penis so I can VR masturbate" button because your belly would still be in the way.

      --
      (-1: Post disagrees with my already-settled worldview) is not a valid mod option.
    19. Re:Visible controllers by Impy+the+Impiuos+Imp · · Score: 1

      I actually felt offended they kept showing the VR headset next to a fucking X-Box controller.

      --
      (-1: Post disagrees with my already-settled worldview) is not a valid mod option.
    20. Re:Visible controllers by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      For someone who is so intelligent, I'm surprised Carmack would put crap like that into his body..

    21. Re:Visible controllers by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Is carmack intelligent? What makes you think so? Doesn't seem like a super genius or anything to me.

    22. Re: Visible controllers by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Small hands, dude?

    23. Re:Visible controllers by NotDrWho · · Score: 1

      That's what it's going to come with when it sells.

      --
      SJW's don't eliminate discrimination. They just expropriate it for themselves.
    24. Re:Visible controllers by D.McG. · · Score: 1

      You should be able to touch-type. There are bumps on the F and J keys for a reason, so that you can find the keys. If you use ASDW for movement, find the F key with your index finger via the bump, then move one key to the left. Voila, you've found the controls!

    25. Re:Visible controllers by Zalbik · · Score: 1

      this is why keyboards like textblade, with touch sensitive keys that actually don't send an input signal until you push down will be important for vr.

      with that kind of keyboard, you can have a u.i. representation of the keyboard (e.g. like if you look down) and you can tell where your fingers are by glows that correspond to what keys you're touching... but the touch doesn't mean that you are entering any text yet. it's just to orient yourself on the keyboard. then you push down on the key as normal and send commands or whatever.

      Or you could have little bumps on the F and J keys to orient yourself to the keyboard. Like almost every keyboard manufactured for the last 10 years.

      Textblade appears cool and all (I reserve final judgement until they actually ship anything), but I fail to see how that solves the problem of typing in a VR environment any better than a standard keyboard.

      Actually I fail to see how it's a problem at all. I just closed my eyes, put my hands by my side, then reached out and started typing to type this sentence. There was a bit of adjustment while I found the F and J keys, but only a half second or so. Of course, I can touch type, but are there really that many people who both need to look at the keyboard to type and are geeky enough to want a VR device?

      PS
      WTF is with Textblades website?!? I get the device is intended for tablets/phones/etc, so it's kind of cute, but that is the most most godawful annoying layout to try and navigate and get info from. Really bad idea for a new tech trying to attract buyers.

      I gave up and just googled for the macrumors article instead.

  5. Good drivers by Sowelu · · Score: 1

    are enough to make me forgive a whole lotta sins here.

  6. Remember... by Lead+Butthead · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Recall what M$ is known for; Embrace, Extend, Extinguish.

    --
    ELOI, ELOI, LAMA SABACHTHANI!?
    1. Re:Remember... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      I'm rooting for MS here. I hope they embrace the Oculus, extend into Facebook, and extinguish it all.

    2. Re:Remember... by phantomfive · · Score: 1

      At one point Microsoft owned a lot of Facebook stock (before they went public). Microsoft and Facebook seem to have a long history of working together, but I'm not sure on what (other than this).

      --
      "First they came for the slanderers and i said nothing."
    3. Re:Remember... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      How is this trash modded "insightful"? What have they ever "extinguished" under such a strategy?

      It's always the same morons in any "microsoft is doing something" story going "hey i'll say embrace, extend, extinguish and bunch of idiots will upmod me". If that's what passes for "insightful" on slashdot then its readership clearly knows fuck all about technology these days, sorry guys its not 1995 anymore.

    4. Re:Remember... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      This sums up a few cases: Embrace, extend, extinguish

      The part about Kerberos is very interesting, because it shines a light on the relevance Slashdot once had in the past.

      The article only cites a few instances of MS' EEE moves; it doesn't talk about the strategy being used on Novel, OpenGL, C/C++, Delphi, IMAP, (web)DAV, Standardized document formats... Latest vicitm of that strategy was Nokia, in 2014 and not, as you claimed in 1995.

      MS isn't yet done with the EEE strategy and the scenario of using it against the Occulus Rift isn't hard to picture: They partner up, to write the libraries and create a market for VR on their platforms; when the market is big enough, they enter it with a similar product of their own; Occulus Rift becomes unstable with subsequent updates

      The facts about MS applying that strategy are easilly available, so it's not a matter of believe but outright denial thinking MS has changed a bit.

    5. Re:Remember... by sound+vision · · Score: 1

      "Working together" implies some kind of active collaboration between the two. Holding stock, however, does not always imply that sort of collaboration. Perhaps the reason you're not sure what they've collaborated on is because they haven't collaborated on anything? You seem very eager to make a connection between MS and FB. If you can actually come up with even a couple of examples from this "long history", everyone will come out of this discussion better-educated.

    6. Re:Remember... by phantomfive · · Score: 1

      Perhaps the reason you're not sure what they've collaborated on is because they haven't collaborated on anything? You seem very eager to make a connection between MS and FB.

      The connection is there, which is why we have the story in the first place. The only question remaining is how long they've had a connection.

      "Working together" implies some kind of active collaboration between the two. Holding stock, however, does not always imply that sort of collaboration.

      It means they have a relationship. There are plenty of companies Microsoft could have bought stock in, but didn't. There were plenty of investors who wanted to invest in Facebook, but didn't.

      Here's another example. For a while, Facebook had some kind of Bing integration, and the Bing bar had some kind of Facebook integration.

      --
      "First they came for the slanderers and i said nothing."
    7. Re:Remember... by antdude · · Score: 1

      Bascially, E3. ;)

      --
      Ant(Dude) @ Quality Foraged Links (AQFL.net) & The Ant Farm (antfarm.ma.cx / antfarm.home.dhs.org).
    8. Re:Remember... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Also: Sybase SQL Server ==> Microsoft SQL Server.

      MS and Sybase had a "partnership" to port Sybase SQL Server from Unix to Windows NT, the rest is history. Sybase had to sell itself to SAP to somewhat survive.

    9. Re: Remember... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Slashdot even has some sort of Facebook integration.

    10. Re:Remember... by LifesABeach · · Score: 1

      Site some references; in other words, you're blowing smoke?

    11. Re:Remember... by phantomfive · · Score: 1
      --
      "First they came for the slanderers and i said nothing."
    12. Re:Remember... by shutdown+-p+now · · Score: 1

      When did Microsoft "embrace" Delphi or OpenGL?

  7. watch and laugh by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5kI4NuM33E
    oculus rift - Xbox One Sneak Peek [HD]

    "Virtual reality should put me into the game, not into a room where I play the game on a screen. I already have that in actual reality."

  8. This is why Microsoft is dropping Windows by surd1618 · · Score: 1

    They're 2D

    1. Re:This is why Microsoft is dropping Windows by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I'm not sure what kind of windows you have, but mine are fully 3D.

    2. Re:This is why Microsoft is dropping Windows by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Windows has and always will be "0D"

  9. Hope this doesn't encourage a controller monopoly by timrod · · Score: 1

    One of the biggest problems that existed in previous-generation games on Steam was the monopoly Microsoft had on controller support. Most games that were console ports only natively supported the Xbox 360 controller, and would only display button prompts in the X360 format. I don't think it was necessarily an intended monopoly on MS's part - part of it was definitely that PS3 controllers need custom drivers to work properly on the PC and part of it was lazy developers who figured that supporting the X360 controller was "good enough". The only recent game I can think of with native support for Sony controllers is Axiom Verge, but that was originally on PS3/PS4/Vita.

    Oculus Rift and VR support is a growing thing in the industry, and I'd hate to see developers continue the Xbox-only trend because the Rift ships with an Xbox controller.

  10. Looks like we going to see MinecraftVR after all by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    W00t!

  11. Tonnes of Bullshit by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Too many synergies, too many paradigms, too many PR announcements.
    This is a another fucking tech-bubble. Too many things trying to converge on a buy-out in a race to a few profitable applications.
    A few winners profit, mostly due to patents, and a whole lot of losers. And it will take the market a few weeks to realise that most of it is unoriginal shit. And by then, the initial bullshitters will have made a profit through ignorance.

  12. XBox One? *Sigh* by Chas · · Score: 1, Troll

    Never mind that the damn XBox One can't output the resolution and framerate necessary to keep people from barfing their brains out.

    Idiots.

    Way to take interesting technology and turn it into an utterly useless joke.

    Why not just announce compatibility with the Phantom Console while you're at it!

    --


    Chas - The one, the only.
    THANK GOD!!!
  13. WHAT?! You can't be serious by slashmydots · · Score: 2, Insightful

    There is no company called Oculus. It's called Facebook. Facebook bought them. Microsoft is working with Facebook. WHAT?!
    So besides that, everything MS touches dies. They can't design anything that customers want anymore and they turn everything into a money-grubbing, ad-infested, piece of garbage that they shove down users throats by abusing their monopoly. Oh now I get why they're working with Facebook.

    1. Re:WHAT?! You can't be serious by SeaFox · · Score: 1

      Yup, Microsoft and Facebook -- it's like a marriage made in Hell. Or data-mining Heaven, depending on your point of view.

    2. Re:WHAT?! You can't be serious by LongearedBat · · Score: 2

      Microsoft software is... well, I'm with you there. But Microsoft periferals tend to be rather good in my experience. Hopefully the Oculus will fall into the periferals category. (Please, oh please, let the Oculus software be only straight forward driver software.)

    3. Re:WHAT?! You can't be serious by allcoolnameswheretak · · Score: 2

      So besides that, everything MS touches dies

      Gaming on PC means Windows and DirectX. Windows and DirectX have been around for a long time.
      If you are realistic about VR on the PC, teaming up with the guys who control your platform makes sense. Especially now that Sony and Valve are serious competitors for Occulus.

      It also makes sense for Microsoft. Sony is an obvious competitor and Valve has been making strides into Linux. With Occulus MS gets a developed VR solution without having to develop their own. It's a natural partnership.

    4. Re:WHAT?! You can't be serious by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      No, you're thinking of Google and Facebook.

  14. What was THAT? by WaffleMonster · · Score: 3, Insightful

    It was painful to watch Microsoft intermission at the Oculus event today.

    Hey so ah we're bundling an ordinary xbox controller with the rift... okay whatever I don't care except for having to pay for it with cost of the rift and your main competition offering a much better input tracking solution with their product.

    Rest of the MS demo was someone wearing a VR headset and playing xbox in "VR" by creating a virtual room with a virtual 2D display and playing the game on that 2D display within the virtual world.. one of the sorriest tech demos I've ever seen in my life. I kept waiting for a punch line that never came.

    1. Re:What was THAT? by shadowrat · · Score: 2

      i've long predicted that once we have true star trek level holodeck technology, it will be really popular to create a holo tv and nintendo to play old fashioned super mario bros. on

    2. Re:What was THAT? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It would make for a nice break from all that holo porn

    3. Re:What was THAT? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Elite for me, thanks ;)

    4. Re:What was THAT? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I thought that too. Why bother with a virtual room? What the hell is the point of that??

    5. Re: What was THAT? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      No. It will be used to play a virtual Wii U which plays the virtual console version of SNES Mario Brothers from the Nintendo Eshop.

    6. Re:What was THAT? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      All of the demo's Oculus has been doing for the last 2 years were with Xbox controllers. Most of the software written for the DK1/DK2 supports Xbox controllers or keyboard controls.

    7. Re:What was THAT? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Holy shit I didn't know the Rift situation had gotten that bad.

      Some sweaty old buisness dicks went overboard trying to get some fresh new market pussy.. And now they've got a dead hooker they have to bury in the Las Vegas desert.

      At this point I'm pretty sure they bought Rift to scuttle it.

  15. Ironic by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    QOTD for Slashdot: "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from a rigged demo."

    Ironic...

  16. I guess they never heard of the kiss of death by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Another one bites the dust

  17. Linux-friendlier Microsoft? My ass by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    So far for the marketing effort.

  18. Re:XBox One? *Sigh* by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Did you completely miss the part about "We believe we'll be able to create state of the art virtual reality experiences with the Oculus Rift on top of Windows"?

  19. So, facebook was not enough??? by HnT · · Score: 1

    Seriously, facebook and it's bazillions of Valley cash were still not enough to launch the Oculus? They had to get freaking M$ into the mix as well? The oculus news just keep getting worse and worse and I can only imagine how the original crowdfunding backers must be feeling right about now.

    --
    "Only one thing is impossible for God: To find any sense in any copyright law on the planet." - Mark Twain
    1. Re:So, facebook was not enough??? by gnupun · · Score: 1

      MS has decades of experience in system software. Something like Oculus has to perform very efficiently with the OS and graphics drivers if they expect it satisfy users (eg: not cause nausea). So the partnership should result in positive changes in Oculus and Windows to achieve that goal.

    2. Re:So, facebook was not enough??? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      As one of the original backers: I crowdfunded a cool gadget - I got the gadget.

      Bonus: I apparently also kickstarted the whole VR-race.

  20. Watch out, Oculus by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Any day now you will wake up with a knife deep in your back.

  21. watch them exclude other platforms soon by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    No doubt such deal will continue Microsofts long history of exclusion and they will have to support only Microsoft OS's going forward.

  22. rip by luther349 · · Score: 0

    Microsoft has there augmented realty headset coming out with windows 10 better tech then the rift yep good buy.

  23. Temporary = Permanent ? by einar.petersen · · Score: 1

    So how are we to understand the Rift team announcement "We are putting Linux development on standby... " (permanent?) The likelihood of buying a rift just got lowered by another notch just fair of zero now.

    --
    MS, ALS, Aphasia ? http://globability.org - Me http://einarpetersen.com
  24. Valve and HTC by Lead+Butthead · · Score: 1

    Considering that HTC stock recently tanked due to far-below-expectation earning number, there are rumors abound of a possible acquisition by ASUS. If this pans out, the entire venture might be dead on arrival.

    --
    ELOI, ELOI, LAMA SABACHTHANI!?
  25. Valve Helped Oculus Make Crystal Cove Headset by nickweller · · Score: 1

    @binarylarry: "It was great knowing you, Oculus. Hopefully Valve has a little more sense. They seem to have better hardware than Oculus."

    'Engadget reports that Valve Software actually helped Oculus VR create the Crystal Cove VR headset that won so many awards at CES 2014 earlier this month ref.'

  26. Uh.... by Dripdry · · Score: 1

    Could they have flipped the bird any harder at all the people who backed it?
    I read somewhere someone railing against Palmer Lucky (at the time it seemed overblown) and how he's an all-business sociopathic waste of space who would sell his grandmother for a dollar given half the chance, and would probably end up screwing over the Oculus backers out there.

    I am a little amazed, but not completely.

    it makes some business sense, yeah, but wow. Just, wow.

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