Some believe that Virtual Reality is a gimmick; little more than a cyclical fad that’s back in the limelight, only to fade away and return again with some new technology powering it. There are others who don’t ascribe to that negativity; genuinely believing that VR has the power to change the world. Once such person is Jason Rubin, Co-founder of Naughty Dog – who’s joined Oculus Rift as its head of worldwide studios.
"There have only been a handful of times in my life where I saw something that I knew would change everything," said Rubin.
"The awe-inspiring tech Oculus is building is a portal into an incredible world that my daughter will one day consider to be normal. The moment I put it on, I wanted to help define that future."
Rubin will so be in charge with making sure that the Rift gets games.
"The team at Oculus has been working to push the boundaries of what’s possible with hardware and software. I’m excited to bring together a new division dedicated to building high-quality VR content that helps define the platform and inspire others to do the same."
He joins a wealth of other industry veterans and high profile hires that’ve joined the company, including id’s John Carmack and Valve’s former head of business Jason Holtman.
Here are some other industry people who’ve recently jumped ship to Oculus.
- Neil Konzen, former engineer at Valve and one of the original Microsoft employees
- Brian Hook, former engineer at RAD (Telemetry) and the original author of 3Dfx Glide
- Adrian Wong, former lead systems engineer at Google[x] (Glass)
- Ian Field, former engineer at ARM and co-inventor of Cortex-M
- Raul Corella, former head of supply chain at JawBone, Monster, and Leap Motion
- Laura Fryer, former GM of Epic Seattle and WB Seattle
- Paul Pedriana, former lead engineer at EA
- David Moore, former engineer at RAD (Granny)
- Kenneth Scott, former art director at 343 Studios (Halo 4)
- Seneca Menard, former technical artist at id Software
- Paul Pepera, former environment artist at Valve and 343 Studios
- Brian Sharp, former engineer at Bungie
- Aaron Nicholls, former engineer at Valve, 343 Studios, and Microsoft
- Matt Alderman, former engineer at Valve and ArenaNet
- Cass Everitt, former GPU architect and engineer at Nvidia
- Ross O’Dwyer, former at head of development support at Havok
- Douglas Lanman, former research scientist at Nvidia Research and MIT Media Lab
That’s a lot of really smart people in one place. Still think it’s a fad?
Last Updated: June 11, 2014
Alien Emperor Trevor
June 11, 2014 at 13:03
My arteries are clogging just looking at that.
Jedi JJ
June 11, 2014 at 13:04
I’m not sure if I’d actually be able to stomach that one. Too little bacon
Admiral Chief Cyber Commando
June 11, 2014 at 13:16
Yeah, not a big fan of corned beef, I’ve had my fair share
Jedi JJ
June 11, 2014 at 13:19
It’s pretty much the baked beans of meat
Alien Emperor Trevor
June 11, 2014 at 13:20
Still gives you more power than the cloud. Wind power. But still.
Jedi JJ
June 11, 2014 at 13:21
Well, I think the significant difference is that the cloud can store quite a bit more without blowing.
Alien Emperor Trevor
June 11, 2014 at 13:25
What blows clouds? :/
Jedi JJ
June 11, 2014 at 13:28
I have a feeling Gabe’s organs are all clouds
Alien Emperor Trevor
June 11, 2014 at 13:36
Hot clouds of water vapour. Need a snappy name for something like that.
Jedi JJ
June 11, 2014 at 13:47
I want to say gas, but that doesn’t quite seem right. I know there’s a better word though.
Rinceinantici
June 11, 2014 at 13:04
DAT HEADER! Hoick!
Alien Emperor Trevor
June 11, 2014 at 13:06
To answer the question, in its current incarnation it’s still a gimmick.
Rinceinantici
June 11, 2014 at 13:07
I are smarterz an sayz it’s a gimmicks
Alien Emperor Trevor
June 11, 2014 at 13:08
*ar
Rinceinantici
June 11, 2014 at 13:09
srry
Jedi JJ
June 11, 2014 at 13:12
I fought it were sorz? Are I getting it rite?
Admiral Chief Cyber Commando
June 11, 2014 at 13:15
Are you guys trying to kill me with the misspellings? I know its a joke, but dammit its annoying!
Alien Emperor Trevor
June 11, 2014 at 13:16
*it’s
Admiral Chief Cyber Commando
June 11, 2014 at 13:16
See, reading your bile broke me!
Alien Emperor Trevor
June 11, 2014 at 13:17
lol
Jedi JJ
June 11, 2014 at 13:18
booom!!!
Rinceinantici
June 11, 2014 at 13:16
Arrrr, bee bluuudy annoying that is be ARRRR! *BWAHAHAHAHAHA
Admiral Chief Cyber Commando
June 11, 2014 at 13:17
Now THAT I can read!
Rinceinantici
June 11, 2014 at 13:17
DIK;)
Jedi JJ
June 11, 2014 at 13:20
But this are how I speak. You sees us peoples of the western cape, we are being to be speak like fis
Admiral Chief Cyber Commando
June 11, 2014 at 13:21
Hah, “people”
Good one JJ
Jedi JJ
June 11, 2014 at 13:22
Hey! Just because we have Trevor doesn’t mean ALL of us aren’t people.
Alien Emperor Trevor
June 11, 2014 at 13:24
It’s true. Not everyone can be god-like.
Jedi JJ
June 11, 2014 at 13:24
Nice.
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
June 11, 2014 at 13:50
I ARE AGREES
Jonah Cash
June 11, 2014 at 13:08
Still a fad!! I don’t care who is working on it but Facbook will use this as a new way to use Facebook!! That is just logical in my eyes!! And I don’t need more social, I am a gamer and we are reclusive by nature!! Maybe they draw a new wave of people in, but I like to play on my own or multiplayer like Fifa where I can mute the other guy. I don’t want to talk to you or see you I just want to beat you!!
Praise Lord GabeN
June 11, 2014 at 13:17
What social elements are you referring to? Facebook owns the tech but they can’t control what content you view on it. They might make facebook compatible with VR (god knows how or why) but they can’t force devs to implement social features on their games. Everybody overreacted on the facebook oculus acquisition.
Jonah Cash
June 11, 2014 at 13:22
I still say it is a fad, and it will be used more and more for social crap. Remember the Wii Fit, yes that is going to be a huge market for it. And probably dance dance whatever!! And Facebook won’t own it without having a say over what it gets used for…. Don’t believe that for a second man!! Social experiment = Oculus!!
What do you think you will get with this? A good FPS game?
Praise Lord GabeN
June 11, 2014 at 13:30
You can’t really compare Wii Fit to this. IMO the oculus are made for FPS games. There are already commercial games that’s compatible with it.
Euro Truck Simulator: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75Rmdv6TgSs
Battlefield 3 (through mods): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhTbjqto07w
I’m excited!
Jonah Cash
June 11, 2014 at 15:01
Being a truck assessor this is probably not the video that will get me overly excited about the Oculus….. The way this guy talks about the truck is grating on my nerves!! Hahaha…. Maybe this will just be something that some will like and others won’t!!
Praise Lord GabeN
June 11, 2014 at 15:55
Check out the Battlefield 3 video.
Jonah Cash
June 12, 2014 at 07:55
I will do so!! Cheers Gabe!!
Maxiviper117
June 11, 2014 at 14:38
Calm your tits
Jonah Cash
June 11, 2014 at 14:55
I am struggling to do it man, I am up to ====here——– with gimmicks!! Give me a console that plays games and give me new games to play on it!! Happy!!
Maxiviper117
June 11, 2014 at 17:06
THEN DONT BUY IT SIMPLE, you keep complaining about it like someone is forcing you to buy it.
Jonah Cash
June 12, 2014 at 07:54
With their marketing they are forcing me to try it, which leads to buying it!! I have the cash, I like new things and then it is the Kinect all over…. Or you have to buy that in house gym thingy to run in so you don’t run into your own walls!!
Maxiviper117
June 12, 2014 at 08:38
Unless they have a Gun to your head then no they not forcing anybody. Your a human being, make your own decisions. Just because apple makes out their phone to be awesome don’t mean I have to buy it. No I decided on Samsung instead cuz I was interested in what they had to offer not because the marketing said I had to buy it.
Jonah Cash
June 12, 2014 at 12:53
Oh wow I own an Apple, have since 3…. And a iPad Mini….. Oh no, I am a sheep!! Hahahaha
Dude you are strung up way too tight!! I have been pulling your leg for more than a day and you are still wound up!! Hahahaha
Have a good one!!!
Maxiviper117
June 13, 2014 at 00:09
Really not winded up at all 🙂 just have to address these kinds of comments just in my nature.
Jonah Cash
June 13, 2014 at 11:57
Glad I could help out your nature then bud!! Cheers!!
geelslang
June 11, 2014 at 13:12
For everybody saying its a gimmick, Ill go with Jason Rubin’s and John Carmack’s opinion that its not. Im excited for it, bring it on.
The Fires of Suzaku Burns!!
June 11, 2014 at 13:16
People say it’s a fad till they shit water when they play Alien: Isolation on Rift
Admiral Chief Cyber Commando
June 11, 2014 at 13:17
Have you seen the Mirror’s Edge Oculus video?
The Fires of Suzaku Burns!!
June 11, 2014 at 13:18
Seen a few, not sure which one you’re refering to but that’ll make you vomit last year’s Sunday lunch
Admiral Chief Cyber Commando
June 11, 2014 at 13:19
Falling of a building becomes a really horrible feeling!
The Fires of Suzaku Burns!!
June 11, 2014 at 13:20
You know those dreams where you dream you’re falling then suddenly waking up sweating ? Now that – the videogame lol
Kensei Seraph
June 11, 2014 at 13:37
*off
And I still get a terrible feeling in the pit of my stomach just remembering that.
Admiral Chief Cyber Commando
June 11, 2014 at 13:39
Tx, the terribad Engrish below broke my sense of spelling
Kensei Seraph
June 11, 2014 at 13:42
Yeah, I’m surprised mine is still functioning as well as it is after reading that.
Rinceinantici
June 11, 2014 at 13:17
YES
Rinceinantici
June 11, 2014 at 13:21
I want Dead Space 1 man, can you imagine?
Kensei Seraph
June 11, 2014 at 13:21
Yes I can and it would be scary awesome.
Admiral Chief Cyber Commando
June 11, 2014 at 13:21
Nah, already had my scares there, but any new horror game, yeah, I can dig it
The Fires of Suzaku Burns!!
June 11, 2014 at 13:22
Having a Necromorph eat your face??No thank you!!!
Alien Emperor Trevor
June 11, 2014 at 13:22
You clearly haven’t seen his face. BOOM!
Jedi JJ
June 11, 2014 at 13:23
LOL
Kensei Seraph
June 11, 2014 at 13:25
Hahaha.
Rinceinantici
June 11, 2014 at 13:27
Dude, would rock!
The Fires of Suzaku Burns!!
June 11, 2014 at 13:30
It def would!
Jedi JJ
June 11, 2014 at 13:23
Spare pants will be kept close by.
Jedi JJ
June 11, 2014 at 13:26
I think if I were to shit water it would be quite a scary event by itself.
Kensei Seraph
June 11, 2014 at 13:27
I’m not entirely sure why but you made me laugh.
The Fires of Suzaku Burns!!
June 11, 2014 at 13:29
Too much curry!
Admiral Chief Cyber Commando
June 11, 2014 at 13:37
TP in fridge dude
Admiral Chief Cyber Commando
June 11, 2014 at 13:17
Header, straight out of Wikipedia, lulz
Pieter Kruger
June 11, 2014 at 13:25
Very impressive team for sure! Good things might come of this, very good things indeed!
Rinceinantici
June 11, 2014 at 13:27
Maybe they can pair it with the Kinect? trololo
Kensei Seraph
June 11, 2014 at 13:27
That’s actually a pretty good idea.
Rinceinantici
June 11, 2014 at 13:28
I suppose so. That why you won’t see what a total prat you look like 😉
Kensei Seraph
June 11, 2014 at 13:34
*way
Jedi JJ
June 11, 2014 at 13:34
I take pride in how much I resemble a pelican when doing physical activities.
Admiral Chief Cyber Commando
June 11, 2014 at 13:38
BWHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Alien Emperor Trevor
June 11, 2014 at 13:28
Well, it’s a better idea than that ridiculous VR treadmill.
Rinceinantici
June 11, 2014 at 13:30
Well you say ridiculous, I say “Put Francis on it and make him run after a virtual bottle of Mountain Dew”. $$$$$$$
Alien Emperor Trevor
June 11, 2014 at 13:30
I don’t know if they make them with an industrial rating.
Rinceinantici
June 11, 2014 at 13:35
Can you imagine 0-O http://thumbs.newschoolers.com/index.php?src=http://chzgifs.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/funny-gifs-breaking-the-barrier.gif&size=400×1000
Jedi JJ
June 11, 2014 at 13:30
You just say that because it means you’ll have to walk instead of using your little kart that you use to drive around the malls.
Alien Emperor Trevor
June 11, 2014 at 13:31
WALKING IS FOR POOR PEOPLE
Jedi JJ
June 11, 2014 at 13:32
That just made me laugh aloud here.
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
June 11, 2014 at 13:54
That’s kind of mean man… 🙁 Stop kicking Pieter in his Kinect! 🙁 He’s the only boner fan on lagz. May the flame never extinguish, young squire Kruger….
Rinceinantici
June 11, 2014 at 13:56
I are sorry 🙁
Kensei Seraph
June 11, 2014 at 13:26
I’ve said it before and I’m about to say it again.
I’m looking forward to the SAO level of VR, even if it does mean I get myself killed on the first day.
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
June 11, 2014 at 13:50
Yep, it’s still a fad. Take Kinect as an example, a lot of very talented people wasted their time on that pile of crap, and it still didn’t change it from being anything but a really sad Eye Toy clone.
Mark Treloar
June 11, 2014 at 15:04
So here’s the thing wearing just a set of headphones after a while gets uncomfortable, I cant image many people will enjoy wearing a significantly larger and heavier headgear.
Mark Treloar
June 11, 2014 at 15:06
Also bunch of clever people came together for the Manhattan Project, doesn’t mean it was a good idea.