On March 25, Facebook announced it would buy Oculus VR. Oculus VR is a company that makes virtual reality headsets for gamers. Facebook has plans to use this technology for communications and other forms of media that they have not yet announced.

Facebook bought out the gaming headset company for $2 billion.

“The headset that Oculus VR makes is solely for the purpose of gaming. All the games being made currently from the community are submitted. If the game is good enough, and can work on their system, it basically becomes a game for anyone to play,” said junior Austin Korlin-Downs.

Sony is also developing their own kind of virtual reality headset called Project Morpheus.

“Oculus is different from Sony because Sony is a mass producer of goods and gaming isn’t their main product. Oculus is solely for gaming,” said Korlin-Downs.

Mark Zuckerberg has not yet announced why he chose to buy this company.

Junior Tom Jorgensen said, “Wearable technology is making a mark on fashion these days. Google is in the works of developing ‘Google Glass‘, which is basically the internet stuffed into eyeglasses. Samsung has the ‘Samsung Galaxy Gear’, which is the Galaxy S4 phone watch. Wearable technology is definitely on the rise so maybe facebook sees an opportunity.”

Virtual reality headsets have been a concern in recent years, but now more than ever since the internet giant Facebook has gotten involved. Many are concerned how virtual reality will affect the human body.

“When a new drug is being produced, the FDA gets involved and it is tested long before being available for purchase by the public. Virtual reality has not been around for very long and could have unknown side effects especially for children. Since it’s just a game though, no one thinks twice about testing to see how it will affect the human brain. When this hits the market, parents should beware of the product,” said sophomore Tanner Lau.

There is speculation whether or not Facebook will be going into the gaming field or not since buying this company.

“I think Facebook will go into gaming, but only to make it mobile gaming like they’ve been pushing with their Facebook games like Candy Crush,” said Jorgensen.

Oculus VR will continue to make virtual reality headsets but now most of its funding will come from Facebook.

“I’m sure this buy out will help Oculus VR since Facebook has a lot of money, but Facebook is also known for taking different copyrights and assuming them back into their own system and adding in advertisements. So it’s a two way street,” said Jorgensen.

Facebook has not announced why they chose to go with Oculus VR since there are also so many virtual reality companies in the works right now.

“I think it’s kind of weird that Facebook would even consider buying a virtual reality headset when their companies have nothing to do with each other. It will definitely be interesting to see what Facebook will do moving forward with the company,” said Korlin-Downs.