Image: Beat Games
Facebook said Tuesday in a blog post that its virtual reality unit is buying Beat Games, the company behind Beat Saber, one of the most popular games for its Oculus devices.
Why it matters: The move comes as a sign that Facebook continues to believe in — and put money into — VR even as the industry has slowed more than some had hoped.
Between the lines: Some wonder whether Facebook will draw legal challenges that the small, independent Beat Games did not. Troubles could include the use of copyrighted music or use of the terms "saber" and "lightsaber," given Disney is not known for liking others to use its intellectual property.
- There's also the question of how long Facebook will be committed to Beat Saber for non-Oculus platforms, though Facebook said it plans to continue developing for all VR devices it currently supports.
What's next: Facebook suggested more deals may follow. "We’re exploring many ways to accelerate VR, and we think next year is going to be an incredible one of VR game launches and announcements. We are thrilled to have Beat Games join our team. This is just the beginning," the tech giant said in the blog post.
Go deeper: Facebook charts a path toward a more social virtual reality