John Carmack stays put at Oculus after Facebook deal

A couple of months ago we reported that John Carmack was leaving id Software to focus on his new passion, the Oculus VR headset, so when news became public that the company has been bought out by Facebook we definitely wondered how Carmack would react.

Carmack responded to a post named "Wrong and Right Reasons To be Upset About Oculus" from Peter Berkman, the lead songwriter and guitarist from chiptune rockband Anamanaguchi.

Carmack notes he was surprised by Facebook's move, he didn't expect an acquisition this soon and hints that there are other companies that would have more obvious synergies. Overall, Carmack seems satisfied with the move as he has reasons to believe that Facebook gets the big picture as he sees it and will be a powerful partner to make it happen.

Honestly, I wasn't expecting Facebook (or this soon). I have zero personal background with them, and I could think of other companies that would have more obvious synergies. However, I do have reasons to believe that they get the Big Picture as I see it, and will be a powerful force towards making it happen. You don't make a commitment like they just did on a whim.

I wasn't personally involved in any of the negotiations -- I spent an afternoon talking technology with Mark Zuckerberg, and the next week I find out that he bought Oculus.

In regards to concerns about Facebook trying to control Oculus, Carmack had this to say on Twitter:

I would expect Facebook to not exert any overt control over Oculus unless Oculus fumbles badly a few times, at which point they SHOULD.

— John Carmack (@ID_AA_Carmack) March 28, 2014