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” I mishandled the communication. ” In a “Ask me anything”, a public session of questions and answers on the American forum Reddit, CEO of Oculus, Palmer Luckey, took upon himself the disappointment of the players after the announcement of the launch price the highly anticipated Oculus Rift virtual reality helmet. This is displayed for pre-order at $ 599 before tax for the United States, and € 699 over € 42 postage for Europe
Read also:. The virtual reality headset Oculus Rift will cost 740 euros in France
Mockery the creator of ‘Minecraft’
While the psychological barrier is generally estimated at € 400 for a Device video games, many observers have pointed out the inconsistency of the final price, including after the first statements of Palmer Luckey.
“The CEO of Oculus said this in 2013 : even at $ 600, regardless of the quality of the product, regardless of the prowess of the experience, it’s as if it did not exist. “
The hit game creator Minecraft , Markuss Persson, often mocked by his fans for his status as a young billionaire, regretted with humor does not have the means to s’ Oculus Rift offer.
Oculus provides does not make money
“In order to be completely transparent, we do not win money on helmet “, responded Palmer Luckey to criticism, emphasizing the high cost of the technology at the heart of the product, two highly integrated high definition OLED screen, a movement recognition system at once precise and light, and an optical . very complex to manufacture
“It’s expensive, but for the $ 599, you have a lot more than for any other electronic product the same price – a phone that tariff costs a fraction of the price to build, even for mid-range TVs. There are many consumer products in this price range, so as you raise, we made a communication error, not just price. “
The president of Oculus had multiplied particular declarations to the contrary, first evoking a total of 1500 dollars bill for the Oculus Rift over a compatible computer, then retracted in September 2015 and drawing . the contours of a price “around $ 350, probably more» , disorienting many consumers
“This is an explanation, not an excuse to that time, many media repeated that Rift would cost $ 1,500 and was frustrated that so many people think that this was the price for single helmet. My response was poorly prepared and in my head, I was opposed to 1 $ 349 $ 500 not our internal estimate was around $ 599. “ Palmer Luckey had backtracked again at Christmas warning that all could not afford the helmet. Too late, he seems.
A European prize “inexcusable”
Oculus has also faced criticism from European consumers unaccustomed to see facial euro price (699) higher than in dollars (599 or € 557 at current exchange rate). In a tweet, the influential British youtubeur John Bain, aka Total Biscuit, has described the “premium European price” “inexcusable” and “truly stupid “.
” The international prices are not artificially inflated, has tried to defend itself in response Palmer Luckey. We must take into account the consumption taxes, which does not function as the United States [where each state has its own]. “
Some voices in the industry are high but is in defense of the Oculus Rift, and remember that this first generation of modern virtual reality helmets are mainly addressed to passionate and impatient.
“Hey! If you are outraged by the price of the Oculus Rift is that you are not the target for this launch it. Virtual reality is still in its infancy. Come back in five years. “
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