Science

Oculus Rift virtual reality headset pre-orders open

Oculus, the virtual reality company owned by Facebook Inc., has opened pre-orders and released pricing for its much-anticipated Rift headset.

Rift will sell for $599 US and be initially shipped from March 28 to 20 countries, including Canada

The much-awaited Oculus Rift virtual reality headset is now available for pre-order for $599 US. (Edgar Su/Reuters)

Oculus, the virtual reality company owned by Facebook Inc, said the Rift, its much-awaited virtual reality headset, was priced at $599 US.
 
The Rift will initially be shipped from March 28 to 20 countries, including Australia, Canada, Japan, the UK and the 
United States, the company said in a blog post on Wednesday.

 
However, the Oculus shopping cart displayed May as the expected shipping month.

Rift will also be available in limited locations at select retailers starting in April, according to the blog post. 

The Rift box will include the headset with built-in headphones and mic, sensor, an Xbox One controller and an Oculus Remote, a new input device that helps users navigate through the Oculus store or explore video content. (Mark Zuckerberg/Facebook)

 
The Rift box will include the headset with built-in headphones and mic, sensor, an Xbox One controller and an Oculus Remote, a new input device that helps users navigate through the Oculus store or explore video content.
 
The company also said that bundles that include an Oculus Ready PC and a Rift would be available for preorder in February starting at $1,499 US.
 
Oculus Chief Executive Brendan Iribe said in May that the Rift and the computer needed to run it were expected to cost around $1,500.
 
"More than 100 virtual reality games and other experiences are coming this year," Facebook Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg said in a post on the social networking site
 
Oculus said on Monday that the Rift, which comes bundled with the games Lucky's Tale and EVE: Valkyrie, could be preordered from Wednesday.