Palmer Luckey, founder of Oculus, confirmed that the VR headset will cost as much as a new console.
Although the number $350 is discouraging to those eagerly awaiting the headset, Luckey says that the cost is not to boost price margins, but rather to provide the highest quality possible for the VR. Because the technology is new, outsourcing its components is fairly expensive. If the market grows, the price will drop on future models (much like the early days of DVDs and home computers).
Luckey explains,
“You know, I’m going to be perfectly honest with you. We’re roughly in that ballpark… but it’s going to cost more than that. And the reason for that is that we’ve added a lot of technology to this thing beyond what existed in the DK1 and DK2 days.”
Comparatively, Sony’s Andrew House says the PlayStation VR will run for about the same amount.
Luckey says they are focusing on the quality of the product more than anything else. Which makes sense, because if the buyers feel that they’ve bought a high quality, well-made product, then they’ll be back for round 2.
The Oculus Rift is set to release in April of 2015.
