Anduril’s Palmer Luckey believes that the next wave of technology will be inspired by ideas from earlier eras

Exploring Tech Nostalgia: Insights from CES

It might seem unusual to hear the creators behind a virtual reality company and a major social platform reminiscing fondly about the early days of the internet, but that's exactly what happened at CES. Palmer Luckey, the mind behind Oculus, and Alexis Ohanian, Reddit's co-founder, took the stage together to discuss the appeal of "tech nostalgia."

Both Luckey, now leading the defense firm Anduril, and Ohanian expressed a shared sentiment: technology from previous decades had certain qualities that are missing today.

Interestingly, their critique wasn't aimed at technological progress itself—Luckey even voiced his support for artificial intelligence and its positive impact on productivity. Instead, their focus was on the design and aesthetics of older tech. They argued that the look and feel of vintage gadgets often surpass those of modern devices, and that these retro styles might actually shape the future of technology.

Ohanian remarked, "It's not just about longing for the past; some of these older products are simply better by any objective measure."

Luckey, after expressing his admiration for the classic 1999 shooter Quake: Arena, also highlighted the value of older media experiences. He reminisced about the deliberate process of curating a music collection—whether through assembling albums or crafting mixtapes—and noted that the convenience of unlimited downloads has led to a loss of that intentionality.

He also observed that many young people today feel nostalgic for eras they never lived through. According to Luckey, this isn't about personal memories or childhood nostalgia; rather, it's an appreciation for the inherent quality of certain older technologies.

The Rise of Retro Tech

Current consumer trends seem to back up Luckey and Ohanian's perspective. Nostalgia is a powerful force in pop culture, as seen in the popularity of 1980s-themed movies and shows. In the tech world, retro-inspired designs are enjoying a resurgence. Many young people, overwhelmed by the digital age, are turning to physical media like vinyl records and cassette tapes. At the same time, new devices with vintage aesthetics—such as the Clicks Communicator phone showcased at CES—are attracting renewed interest.

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Turning Nostalgia into Opportunity

With consumer interest shifting toward retro tech, Luckey and Ohanian's passion for vintage devices could prove to be a smart business move. If nostalgia is in demand, why not capitalize on it?

Luckey is already ahead of the curve. Sporting a signature 1980s hairstyle, he launched the ModRetro Chromatic in 2024—a handheld device reminiscent of the Game Boy, priced at $199, that plays classic game cartridges from the 1990s. It's been hailed as one of the best devices of its kind by reviewers such as The Verge.

During their CES appearance, Ohanian proudly displayed a ModRetro unit onstage, expressing his admiration for Luckey’s gaming venture and revealing his own interest in developing a retro-inspired game.

Memorable Moments and Future Directions

The conversation at CES was filled with lively anecdotes, especially from Luckey. He shared that he first attended CES at age 16—despite the official age requirement being 18—by using a fake ID and pretending to work for an exhibiting company, much to the audience's amusement.

While retro gaming may be on the rise, Luckey's focus has also shifted to defense technology. Since 2017, he has been leading Anduril, which recently reached a valuation of $30.5 billion after a major funding round. The company has also begun collaborating with Meta to develop mixed reality headsets for military applications.

Although Anduril was only briefly mentioned during the talk, Luckey did touch on global politics, candidly admitting his past reliance on manufacturing in China. He described the current U.S.-China relationship as a "messy divorce," warning that reconciliation is unlikely.