Palmer Luckey, the co-founder of Oculus has warned not to expect high quality virtual reality’s experiences on the cheap… at least initially.
In a series of tweets posted on Thursday (via Recode), Luckey said the cost of the Oculus Rift will drop over time, but the first-gen headsets must convince the world of VR’s merits.
He explained users who’re initially turned off by the VR experiences, won’t come back when the price cuts.
Thus, Palmer says, it is better to aim for the moon and create an appetite for the product, which will filter down to more and more users when devices like the Rift become more affordable.
You can see the tweets below:
https://twitter.com/statuses/654722986570739712
https://twitter.com/statuses/654723332265283584
https://twitter.com/statuses/654724225966542849
https://twitter.com/statuses/654724500269875200
Of course, Oculus does have a cheap option coming to market in the shape of Samsung’s $99 Gear VR headset. However, the Rift itself is a different ballgame with much more advanced technology.
The Rift will have built-in displays, a positional tracking camera, spacial audio technology and Oculus Touch controllers that enable users to move their hands within games.
It is thought that a Rift headset, which goes on sale early next year, plus a capable PC rig, will cost users upwards of £1,000.
See also: Oculus Rift vs PlayStation VR
Do you agree with Luckey’s comments? Is it important VR starts off at the high end in order to create an appetite? Share your thoughts below.
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Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
