Seeing other people is incredibly engaging, and that's one of the drivers that made us partner with Facebook - social communication. Not social newsfeeds, but actual face-to-face, seeing multiple avatars in a play experience, that's going to be a very big part of the future in VR.

In this quote, Brendan Iribe, the co-founder of Oculus VR, discusses the concept of social communication in the context of virtual reality (VR). He highlights how interacting with other people in a virtual environment is incredibly engaging, especially when it involves seeing and connecting with them face-to-face. Iribe distinguishes this from passive forms of communication like social newsfeeds, where people engage primarily through content rather than direct interaction. He emphasizes that true, immersive social experiences in VR will focus on the ability to interact with others in real-time through avatars in a shared, interactive play experience.

Iribe’s partnership with Facebook reflects the growing emphasis on social communication within the realm of VR. Facebook, having acquired Oculus, aims to leverage the immersive capabilities of virtual reality to enhance how people connect with each other. Instead of simply posting updates or scrolling through newsfeeds, the future of VR, as envisioned by Iribe, involves creating virtual spaces where people can see each other and interact as if they were physically present, enhancing the feeling of presence and community.

The mention of avatars and face-to-face interaction in VR underscores a key aspect of socializing in virtual worlds. Instead of communicating through text or static images, VR allows people to embody characters or avatars that can move, react, and communicate with others in a way that feels more personal and authentic. Iribe sees this type of social interaction as a significant part of the future of VR, where digital spaces become integral to daily life, enabling people to connect in ways that transcend traditional forms of online communication.

Ultimately, Brendan Iribe’s quote points to the future potential of VR in reshaping how people communicate and socialize. By partnering with Facebook, he envisions a shift towards more immersive and interactive experiences, where VR plays a major role in connecting individuals in a truly social, engaging manner. This highlights the growing importance of virtual reality in the evolving landscape of social media and digital communication.