Facebook Buys Population: One Developer BigBox VR

Since its mammoth purchase of Oculus Rift in 2014, Facebook has continued to invest in gaming and VR-focused companies. Its latest acquisition is BigBox VR, the studio behind popular VR game Population: One, as reported by The Verge.

Sometimes compared to Fortnite, Population: One has translated the battle royale genre into VR, though Facebook has also praised the game’s social elements in a blog post about the acquisition.

You need a javascript enabled browser to watch videos.

Click To Unmute
ShareSize:640 × 360480 × 270

Want us to remember this setting for all your devices?

Sign up or Sign in now!


Please use a html5 video capable browser to watch videos.

This video has an invalid file format.
00:00:00Sorry, but you can’t access this content!

Please enter your date of birth to view this video

JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031Year20242023202220212020201920182017201620152014201320122011201020092008200720062005200420032002200120001999199819971996199519941993199219911990198919881987198619851984198319821981198019791978197719761975197419731972197119701969196819671966196519641963196219611960195919581957195619551954195319521951195019491948194719461945194419431942194119401939193819371936193519341933193219311930192919281927192619251924192319221921192019191918191719161915191419131912191119101909190819071906190519041903190219011900

By clicking ‘enter’, you agree to GameSpot's
Terms of Use and
Privacy Policy

Now Playing: POPULATION: ONE – Launch Trailer

“POP: ONE stormed onto the VR scene just nine months ago and has consistently ranked as one the top-performing titles on the Oculus platform, bringing together up to 24 people at a time to connect, play, and compete in a virtual world,” Facebook Reality Labs’ Mike Verdu wrote. “While social is bringing players into POP: ONE, the quirky humor, continual updates, and pure fun of the environment keeps them coming back time and time again–we’ve even seen players scheduling time to meet in-game for a synchronous social experience.”

While it’s currently unclear what the acquisition will mean for Population: One, Verdu says that the team will be supported in continued updates and improvements for the game. “We’re excited to help BigBox VR grow and accelerate their vision for POPULATION: ONE as a state-of-the-art VR social gaming experience, as well as pursue future projects, with access to the resources and support of Facebook and Oculus Studios,” he said.

Population: One will continue to be available on both the Oculus Store and Steam.

The Facebook blog post says the company will continue to explore “investments in third-party content, AAA IP, hardware, and more,” after two years of studio acquisitions that included Beat Saber studio Beat Games, The Order: 1886 developer Ready at Dawn, Onward developer Downpour Interactive, and Spyro developer Sanzaru Games.

About Hayley Williams

Check Also

New Analog Horror Game Is Basically It Follows, Out Now With A Demo

Indie developer Night Dial has just released its latest horror game, titled “Crowded. Followed.” The …

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *