It would seem that Facebook's range of PC-only VR headsets is about to fade into obscurity, as inventory runs dry and Facebook confirms it won't be replenishing stock.
Facebook Discontinues the Oculus Rift S
Facebook's PC-only VR system, the Oculus Rift S, will no longer be available as stocks of the system have now depleted almost to zero.
In a statement to UploadVR, Facebook has said:
Rift S is still available for sale currently in some channels around the world, but as we announced last year, we plan to stop selling Rift S in 2021. Generally speaking, as channels sell out of stock, they won’t be replenished moving forward.
So, Facebook has cruelly dashed your plans to invest in a VR gaming ecosystem that only works on PC (and a powerful one at that). If those were actually your plans...
You can buy the Rift S from third parties, but once this stock has gone, that's it; no more Oculus Rift S.
Why Has Facebook Stopped Selling the Oculus Rift S?
In October 2020, Facebook debuted the impressive Oculus Quest 2. It proved to be incredibly popular, quickly outselling Facebook's entire existing range of VR gear.
To put it bluntly, the Quest 2 is a vastly superior device. It is easier for owners to handle, thanks to its lightweight construction. This slimming down of the original Oculus Quest meant that, despite being more powerful than its predecessor, the Quest 2 came with a reasonably low price tag of $299 on launch.
These factors combined meant that the Rift S dropped out of favor. The Quest 2 is simply a more attractive deal in all respects. Facebook recognized this a year ago, and now it has decided that the time has come to kill the Rift S.
What Are the Alternatives to the Oculus Rift S?
With Facebook discontinuing the Rift S, you might ask what alternatives are available to you.
The first and most obvious answer is the Oculus Quest 2. As already mentioned, this device retails at $299. Just head to the Oculus Quest 2 store page at oculus.com.
You could also try out Valve Index, a similar ecosystem developed by the creators of Steam. This doesn't come cheap, though, as it can cost up to almost $1,000 to get started with Valve's VR setup.
Or, if you own a PS5, then you might as well hang on while Sony finishes off developing its own VR environment, native to the new-gen PlayStation 5. We've got no idea on price for this, though. Sony is yet to announce such details.
So you still have plenty of options if you're looking to invest in a VR setup of your own.
Will You Be Investing in VR?
VR and AR are both very much on the up right now. With that in mind, it makes sense to acclimatize ourselves with virtual realities, if we haven't already. Investing in VR equipment is probably a good move now, providing you have the cash.
Whether VR becomes the future of everything remains to be seen, but with vast companies like Facebook investing in VR and AR platforms, it looks like a safe bet that both will see enormous surges in popularity and use as we head into 2022 and beyond.