Production Timeline
August 1st, 2012 - Kickstarter campaign launched
The Oculus Rift Kickstarter campaign was launched on August 1st and was successfully backed by the end of the month. The campaign was backed by 9,522 people and raised a total of $2,437,429, much more than the $250,000 goal. Those that pledged to the campaign received rewards from posters and t-shirts to a DIY prototype.
The image shown is an artist rendering of what the final product might look like.
The Oculus Rift Kickstarter campaign was launched on August 1st and was successfully backed by the end of the month. The campaign was backed by 9,522 people and raised a total of $2,437,429, much more than the $250,000 goal. Those that pledged to the campaign received rewards from posters and t-shirts to a DIY prototype.
The image shown is an artist rendering of what the final product might look like.
August 2nd, 2012 - Cardboard prototype demoed at Quakecon
The early prototype shown at Quakecon did not look pretty but it got the job done. The prototype featured 6 degree head tracking, a Field of view of 110 degrees horizontally and 90 degrees vertically, and a resolution of 1280x800 (640x800 per eye). The supported platforms were Windows PC and mobile. The device weighed approximately 0.22 kg or a half of a pound.
The early prototype shown at Quakecon did not look pretty but it got the job done. The prototype featured 6 degree head tracking, a Field of view of 110 degrees horizontally and 90 degrees vertically, and a resolution of 1280x800 (640x800 per eye). The supported platforms were Windows PC and mobile. The device weighed approximately 0.22 kg or a half of a pound.
August 16th, 2012 - Duct tape prototype demoed at Gamescon
This new version of the prototype managed to knock off some of the weight and was said to feel like putting on ski goggles rather than strapping a box to your head.
This new version of the prototype managed to knock off some of the weight and was said to feel like putting on ski goggles rather than strapping a box to your head.
September 3rd, 2012 - Red duct tape prototype demoed at PAX Prime
The Oculus Rift was tested out by the guys at Toms hardware. They are quoted saying that not even their triple monitor setup could compare to the experience of the Oculus Rift.
The Oculus Rift was tested out by the guys at Toms hardware. They are quoted saying that not even their triple monitor setup could compare to the experience of the Oculus Rift.
November 28th, 2012 - Developer Kit Iteration 1 sees light
The first development kit is announced. The design is finalized and ready to start the manufacture phase.
The first development kit is announced. The design is finalized and ready to start the manufacture phase.
March 30th, 2013 - Developer Kit v1 released to public
All people that pledged $300 or more received this iteration of the Oculus Rift. These were also for sale on the OculusVR website and sold at a rate of about 4-5 per minute for the first day.
All people that pledged $300 or more received this iteration of the Oculus Rift. These were also for sale on the OculusVR website and sold at a rate of about 4-5 per minute for the first day.
June 11th, 2013 - HD prototype shown at E3
The Oculus Rift now boasts a 1080p HD picture. The creators imply this is not the final stopping point but is just a taste of what is coming. Unreal Engine 4 also announces native support for games in their engine.
The Oculus Rift now boasts a 1080p HD picture. The creators imply this is not the final stopping point but is just a taste of what is coming. Unreal Engine 4 also announces native support for games in their engine.
January 24th, 2014 - Developer Kit v2 "Crystal Cove" shown at E3
The newest developer kit nicknamed "Crystal Cove" announces the utilization of a external camera and IR lights mounted on the unit to capture head position on top of motion. Crystal Cove also comes with a low-persistence display technology that lowers motion blur and juddering.
The newest developer kit nicknamed "Crystal Cove" announces the utilization of a external camera and IR lights mounted on the unit to capture head position on top of motion. Crystal Cove also comes with a low-persistence display technology that lowers motion blur and juddering.
May 19th, 2014 - Developer Kit v2 released to public
The developer kit v2 is made available for purchase on the OculusVR website. The official display is 960x1080 per eye at 75 Hz refresh rate and a persistence of 2 ms. The unit also comes with the head tracking camera. The cost of the unit is $350.
The developer kit v2 is made available for purchase on the OculusVR website. The official display is 960x1080 per eye at 75 Hz refresh rate and a persistence of 2 ms. The unit also comes with the head tracking camera. The cost of the unit is $350.
May 25th, 2014 - Facebook buys Oculus Rift
Facebook purchases Oculus VR for $2 billion. Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg quoted saying, "The headset has the chance to create the most social platform ever." Currently, there is no information on how the website will utilize the device but OculusVR's acquisition by Facebook has pushed for a better, more affordable device.
Facebook purchases Oculus VR for $2 billion. Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg quoted saying, "The headset has the chance to create the most social platform ever." Currently, there is no information on how the website will utilize the device but OculusVR's acquisition by Facebook has pushed for a better, more affordable device.