Meta has acquired Lofelt, a haptic VR start-up based in Berlin as it continues to strengthen its VR space while working on perfecting its metaverse.
A meta spokesperson confirmed the acquisition after stating, “We’re excited that members of the Lofelt team have joined Meta.”
Lofelt had previously worked on tools for haptic tech in PlayStation 5 and mobile games but announced that it will discontinue support for these products come July.
We have enjoyed working with you all on our first product, the Basslet, our wide-band voice coil haptic actuators, and recently building our haptic design apps across desktop and mobile platforms,” Lofelt writes on its webpage. “As we move forward, we want to make sure that you have ample time to finish up any projects you have started with Studio and can transition away from our tools.”
“Buying its way to the top”
The Federal Trade Commission had filed an objection to Meta’s planned acquisition of Within, a VR fitness app developer.
FTC Bureau of Competition deputy director John Newman stated at that time, “Instead of competing on the merits, Meta is trying to buy its way to the top.
“Meta already owns a best-selling virtual reality fitness app, and it had the capabilities to compete even more closely with Within’s popular Supernatural app. But Meta chose to buy market position instead of earning it on the merits. This is an illegal acquisition, and we will pursue all appropriate relief.”
2014 was the first time Meta took its first step into virtual reality when it acquired Oculus. The behemoth tech company has ever since bolstered its ambitions in the VR field with other acquisitions like BigBox VR, Sanzaru Games, Downpour Interactive, Beat Saber developer Beat Games and Ready at Dawn.
Isa Muhammad is a writer and video game journalist covering many aspects of entertainment media including the film industry. He's steadily writing his way to the sharp end of journalism and enjoys staying informed. If he's not reading, playing video games or catching up on his favourite TV series, then he's probably writing about them.
