Oculus VR headset users will soon have to log in with a Facebook account for "full functionality"

Oculus VR headset users will soon be required to log into a Facebook account for "full functionality".

In a blog post, Oculus announced the "important updates" coming to its VR devices. Set to come into effect this October, anyone who uses a headset for the first time will need to log in using a Facebook account. Existing headsets owners who are set up with an Oculus account will be given the option to log in with Facebook and merge your headset.

If you decide not to merge your account and use a Facebook log in, you'll still be able to use your headset for two years. Oculus account support is set to end as of January 1, 2023, at which stage you'll need to log in with a Facebook account in order to have "full functionality".

"After January 1, 2023, we will end support for Oculus accounts. If you choose not to merge your accounts at that time, you can continue using your device, but full functionality will require a Facebook account.

If you’re an existing user and already have an Oculus account, you’ll have the option to log in with Facebook and merge your Oculus and Facebook accounts.If you’re an existing user and choose not to merge your accounts, you can continue using your Oculus account for two years.August 18, 2020

We will take steps to allow you to keep using content you have purchased, though we expect some games and apps may no longer work. This could be because they include features that require a Facebook account or because a developer has chosen to no longer support the app or game you purchased. All future unreleased Oculus devices will require a Facebook account, even if you already have an oculus account."

Oculus was acquired by Facebook back in 2014, and the update is set to make changes in order to "make it easier to find, connect, and play with friends in VR". With a push towards "social VR", the announcement states that the Facebook account log in will "make it possible to integrate many of the features people know and love on Facebook", with features like chats, parties, events, and being able to tune into live experiences in Oculus venues.

"[P]eople already have the option to livestream or share their experience on Facebook, and soon you'll be able to use your VR avatar on other Facebook apps and technologies."

Looking for new virtual worlds to explore? Here's our pick of the best VR games.

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Heather Wald is the Evergreen Editor, Games at GamesRadar+. Her writing career began on a student-led magazine at Bath Spa University, where she earned a BA (Hons) in English literature. Heather landed her first role writing about tech and games for Stuff Magazine shortly after graduating with an MA in magazine journalism at Cardiff University. Now with almost seven years of experience working with GamesRadar+ on the features team, Heather helps to develop, maintain, and expand the evergreen features that exist on the site for games, as well as spearhead the Indie Spotlight series. You'll also see her contribute op-eds, interview-led features, and more. In her spare time, you'll likely find Heather tucking into RPGs and indie games, reading romance novels, and drinking lots of tea.