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$FB almost acquired Unity.
A part of the story I forgot to mention in yesterday's thread.
h/t to @patrick_oshag @Post_Market for their tips and work on this part of $U's story.
Quick thread
A part of the story I forgot to mention in yesterday's thread.
h/t to @patrick_oshag @Post_Market for their tips and work on this part of $U's story.
Quick thread
ICYMI
Yesterday's thread shared our analysis of Unity, including our deeply researched report and upcoming panel. https://twitter.com/mariodgabriele/status/1303405171834335232
Yesterday's thread shared our analysis of Unity, including our deeply researched report and upcoming panel. https://twitter.com/mariodgabriele/status/1303405171834335232
1
June 22, 2015.
Zuckerberg sent an email to Sheryl Sandberg, Brendan Iribe and others.
He wanted to buy Unity. He even gave the deal a codename.
"One."
June 22, 2015.
Zuckerberg sent an email to Sheryl Sandberg, Brendan Iribe and others.
He wanted to buy Unity. He even gave the deal a codename.
"One."
2
Facebook had acquired Oculus the year before for $2B. It's an acquisition that's a little puzzling today.
But it's clear Zuckerberg had a plan.
He believed VR/AR was the computing platform of the future, giving it 10 years to overtake mobile.
Facebook had acquired Oculus the year before for $2B. It's an acquisition that's a little puzzling today.
But it's clear Zuckerberg had a plan.
He believed VR/AR was the computing platform of the future, giving it 10 years to overtake mobile.
3
There was a problem.
Google and Apple had a platform advantage. They controlled the major mobile app platforms (and the hardware).
To win the future of VR/AR, Zuckerberg thought $FB needed to own 2 things:
- The platform
- The "key apps"
There was a problem.
Google and Apple had a platform advantage. They controlled the major mobile app platforms (and the hardware).
To win the future of VR/AR, Zuckerberg thought $FB needed to own 2 things:
- The platform
- The "key apps"
4
Unity was the solution.
Zuckerberg saw $U serving as the integration for the ecosystem — both software and hardware.
By owning this foundation, $FB could ensure their VR experiences felt native.
Unity was the solution.
Zuckerberg saw $U serving as the integration for the ecosystem — both software and hardware.
By owning this foundation, $FB could ensure their VR experiences felt native.
5
There was an added bonus.
By acquiring Unity, $FB would put pressure on alternatives like Epic to support their use-cases to ensure parity.
There was an added bonus.
By acquiring Unity, $FB would put pressure on alternatives like Epic to support their use-cases to ensure parity.
6
What were the "key apps" $FB wanted to build?
Zuckerberg talks about an "avatar marketplace," along with social communication, media consumption, and immersive video.
What were the "key apps" $FB wanted to build?
Zuckerberg talks about an "avatar marketplace," along with social communication, media consumption, and immersive video.
7
There's an interesting discussion of downsides.
If Google or Apple were to own Unity, Zuckerberg suggests it could be disastrous.
"We risk being taken out of the market completely."
There's an interesting discussion of downsides.
If Google or Apple were to own Unity, Zuckerberg suggests it could be disastrous.
"We risk being taken out of the market completely."
8
One final point: the question of timing.
Google and Apple own the mobile world — Zuckerberg talks explicitly about trying to accelerate VR/AR to go post-mobile.
He also makes a frank comment about $FB's perceived lack of innovation.
One final point: the question of timing.
Google and Apple own the mobile world — Zuckerberg talks explicitly about trying to accelerate VR/AR to go post-mobile.
He also makes a frank comment about $FB's perceived lack of innovation.
9
What now?
Has $FB missed its chance, or will we see them establish a position at IPO?
Should we expect them to move on Epic, Improbable, or others in the space? (Tencent would have something to say about that).
What now?
Has $FB missed its chance, or will we see them establish a position at IPO?
Should we expect them to move on Epic, Improbable, or others in the space? (Tencent would have something to say about that).
10
If you'd like to read more about the almost-acquisition, sign up below.
You'll also hear about our event tomorrow. https://thegeneralist.substack.com/p/the-s-1-club-unity-is-manifesting
If you'd like to read more about the almost-acquisition, sign up below.
You'll also hear about our event tomorrow.
https://thegeneralist.substack.com/p/the-s-1-club-unity-is-manifesting
