Facebook has been keen to increase its presence in the field of virtual reality (VR) games, through a number of acquisitions.
Through its affiliate platform, Oculus, Facebook has acquired Downpour Interactive, the studio behind the multiplayer military simulation game Onward.
Mike Verdu, vice president for content at Facebook Reality Labs said, “We’ve seen great success with Onward on the Oculus platform for several years first on Rift and more recently on Quest”.
Dante Buckley, founder and CEO of Downpour Interactive, said that the Oculus studio plans to “accelerate the speed of our development”.
Buckley noted that Downpour Interactive continues to maintain full control over all development processes.
Facebook VR games
The latest acquisition for Facebook aims to promote Oculus Studios, in which the multiplayer first-person virtual reality shooter Onward has been the most selling VR game in recent years.
The company bought Beat Games studio the developer of the Beat Saber in November 2019; Sanzaru Games, developed for Asgard’s Wrath, in February 2020; and Ready at Dawn, developed of Lone Echo, in June 2020.
The deal comes after the company’s recent attempt to create an ambitious first-person shooting game on its own, in partnership with Respawn Entertainment, the developer of Apex Legends.
Facebook had spent millions on Medal of Honor in virtual reality, which was received lukewarmly among reviewers after its release last December.
Beat Games deal
Facebook confirmed that all Beat Games games will continue to operate without any change according to the “Beat Saber” system. But, providing technical support for them will be through Facebook.
The company relies on the electronic games company to develop new products, including music and virtual reality games.
Facebook aspires to accelerate the pace of releasing electronic games that use virtual reality systems, confirming that 2020 will see more than one product announced.
Bet Games is one of the most successful companies in the field of virtual reality, and has sold more than a million copies of their various games.
About 1.3 million Oculus Quest glasses and VR headsets are expected to be sold this year.
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