The Oculus Rift is one of the more interesting bits of gaming hardware and periphery; probably even more exciting than the next-generation consoles. It brings that futuristic promise of virtual reality to affordable consumer-level devices, and one day, it could be free.
Speaking to Edge, Oculus CEO Brendan Iribe says that ideally, and eventually, he’d like to be able to give the thing away as subsidised hardware. He sees the rift as a platform, not just some mere accessory
“We’d love it to be free one day, so how do we get it as close to free as possible? Obviously it won’t be that in the beginning. You can imagine if Microsoft and Sony can go out and subsidise consoles because there’s enough money to be made on software and other areas, then there’s the potential that this, in partnership, could get subsidised.
Let’s say there was some game you played in VR that everybody loved and everybody played and we made $100 a month – or even $10 a month – at some point the hardware’s cheap enough and we’re making enough that we could be giving away the headset.”
The Rift Dev-kit currently costs about $300, with consumer versions expected at just a tad more. I’d happily take one for free, if it came bundled with, say, Half Life 3.
Last Updated: July 16, 2013
OVG
July 16, 2013 at 14:08
ONE DAY THE KINECT 2 WILL BE A CHOICE BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
In your dreams or tear me another rift.
OVG
July 16, 2013 at 14:10
I have been giving this advice to Gabe for over 1 year.
PACK YOUR STEAMBOX WITH PORTAL 3, Half Life trilogy pack and you have an automatic INSTALL BASE.
Sometimes I think it is just a bunch of Muppets running the show.
ElimiNathan
July 16, 2013 at 14:13
Would be awesome
RinceWind
July 16, 2013 at 14:22
That’s the muppet calling the muppet red!
TiMsTeR1033
July 16, 2013 at 14:11
maybe on ps5 and xbox too
ElimiNathan
July 16, 2013 at 14:13
Haha good ONE 😉
Trevor Davies
July 16, 2013 at 14:12
I can’t wait for the day I get free 3D vision :/
TiMsTeR1033
July 16, 2013 at 14:18
better wait for ps4 and then buy a 3d tv and get glasses and play the games which have 3d option!
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
July 16, 2013 at 14:27
I’m not so sure that’s going to have the same effect hey
John Ambitious
July 16, 2013 at 14:28
Dude. You don’t have 3D vision? Most people see in 3D. Damn. Figuring out how far a car is before you can cross the road must be hell.
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
July 16, 2013 at 14:29
Never mind that. Getting a fork from plate to mouth must be one of the most unique challenges ever
John Ambitious
July 16, 2013 at 14:55
Unique and terrifying at the same time. Just now you poke out your eye. Then you go from 2D vision to white noise.
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
July 16, 2013 at 14:56
Ouchy
RinceWind
July 16, 2013 at 14:59
You know there is actually a condition where people have no depth perseption! 🙂
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
July 16, 2013 at 15:05
That can’t be nice 🙁
RinceWind
July 16, 2013 at 15:23
Also, it’s a condition that can somma manifests itself one day, and hang about for ages!
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
July 16, 2013 at 15:24
DAFUQ? You’re joking with me now right?
RinceWind
July 16, 2013 at 15:33
Nope! Watched it on some discovery thing. This dude just woke up with it and after a few years it came right. Very rare.I think it was called stereo blind or something
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
July 16, 2013 at 15:35
Oh my hat that is scary 0_o
John Ambitious
July 16, 2013 at 15:28
Quite bad
Trevor Davies
July 16, 2013 at 15:03
That was the point of my sarcasm 😉
Umar Kiiroi Senk?
July 16, 2013 at 14:16
I had one back in the day…but the graphics were too hardcore for my eyes
RinceWind
July 16, 2013 at 14:22
Don’t show me this thing! It almost ruined my perfect eyesight!
Admiral Chief Groot Wors
July 16, 2013 at 14:20
LACIST!!!
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
July 16, 2013 at 14:23
That would be kinda epic.
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
July 16, 2013 at 14:24
Guys, I don’t catch the header. Feeling a tad bit slow here
Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim
July 16, 2013 at 14:26
Lift.
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
July 16, 2013 at 14:27
DOH! Thanx man
[insert facepalm here]
Admiral Chief Groot Wors
July 16, 2013 at 14:56
Indeed
XD
Trevor Davies
July 16, 2013 at 15:07
Like this? (ignore the small text)
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
July 16, 2013 at 15:08
That works
Slade Boender
July 16, 2013 at 15:41
Half Life 3 is a lie. The matrix is real.
BacchusZA
July 16, 2013 at 18:33
I have an idea that the OR is going to be as much of a game-changer (haha) as the first 3d cards were, and I’m very interested & excited to see how it develops.
And you have to love the attitude the company seems to be bringing to this – it really looks like it’s not a product they mean to wring every last cent out of by charging consumers as much as the market will bear, but something they want to share with as many people, other gamers, as possible.