City
Epaper

Co-founder of Facebook-owned VR firm Oculus quits

By IANS | Updated: August 14, 2019 10:30 IST

In yet another setback for the social networking giant's Virtual Reality (VR) dream, Nate Mitchell, Co-founder of Facebook-acquired VR firm Oculus has stepped down.

Open in App

"Some bittersweet news to share. After 7 incredible years at Oculus / Facebook, I'm moving on. It's been a privilege to be a part of the VR community, and I can't wait to see what comes next," Mitchell said in a Reddit post late Tuesday.

Mitchell was the head of VR products at Facebook which acquired Oculus for $3 billion in 2014.

"Virtual reality is still on the bleeding edge of technology, and this community continues to pioneer the way forward. What's ahead is always unknown, and that's what makes it exciting," he posted.

The Oculus team at Facebook is facing several issues, including a lawsuit and executive exodus.

Facebook has seen several high-profile executives leaving the company, including Instagram Co-founders Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger; WhatApp's Co-Founders Brian Acton and Jan Koum and another Oculus co-founder Palmer Luckey.

According to Jack McCauley, one of the co-founders of Oculus, the VR firm may not be profitable as the social networking giant is struggling to bring VR to the mainstream consumer market.

"There are a lot of fundamental issues that remain unsolved with VR gaming," the Oculus Co-founder was quoted as saying.

Facebook announced VR headset called "Oculus Go" at a starting price of $199 in October 2017.

The $199 Oculus Go has sold a little more than 2 million units, according to market research firm SuperData.

The "Oculus Quest", which was made available in May this year, has sold nearly 1.1 million units while the Oculus Rift has sold 547,000 units, said the report.

Facebook recently unveiled "Oculus Rift S", a new version of its PC headset Oculus Rift, for $399.

( With inputs from IANS )

Tags: MitchellKevin SystromMike KriegerBrian ActonJan Koum
Open in App

Related Stories

CricketDaryl Mitchell turns 32: A look at career, accomplishments of rising all-format star from New Zealand

TechnologyArtifact's new feature to take on Twitter by letting you follow writers

Technology'Jamtara Global': Indian WhatsApp users flooded with spam calls

CricketConey suggests Conway to be at three in New Zealand's ODI line-up to cover Williamson's absence

Cricket1st ODI: Shubman Gill's magnificent double century propels India to massive 349/8 against NZ

International Realted Stories

InternationalJordan condemns Israeli strike near Syria's presidential palace

International"Confident that WAVES summit platform will deliberate on key issues before global media...": EAM Jaishankar

International"We agreed on zero tolerance for terrorism": EAM Jaishankar after talks with Swiss Federal Councillor

InternationalPakistan UN envoy says 'kinetic action' by India imminent, laments lack of international impact on New Delhi

InternationalIndian diaspora holds major protest in Berlin against Pahalgam terror attack