"We're on the cusp of what I think is not The Next Big Platform, but rather simply The Final Platform – the platform to end all platforms – and the path here has been so improbable that I can only shake my head."
"I now fully expect to spend the rest of my career pushing VR as far ahead as I can."
I think its a good thing, with someone like facebook putting 2 billion in it tells the world that this time VR is here to stay.
Rift will be one of MANY VR headsets when things take off, in fact, you'll probably be able to upgrade your headset like you can most desktop PC's so facebook getting involved is only a positive IMO as it needs someone like that to tell the world its something they need to take seriously. You can almost sense the DKNY headsets and OAKLEY variations.
it will always be about software. facebook has no control over what people write.
Yes it sucks that they are so rich and big they can buy anything and anyone. But that's a separate issue.
I'm pretty sure the guys at rift are the real deal, no one working in VR at the moment is doing so for the $$$ its a young industry where only talent and passion would get you anywhere near it.