Update: Unity Technologies just announced that their popular game engine will be available for HoloLens. Currently it’s in private alpha.
The Microsoft HoloLens website has been updated with new information after all the breath-taking announcements from its //Build Developer Conference. One of the things that the site has been updated with is that Microsoft will be brining HoloLens to E3 and most likely will have Xbox experiences demoed for the holographic computer during the companies media briefing.
Microsoft states on their website that “Holographic computing promises whole new ways for us to create, collaborate, work, and play. We look forward to showing and telling you more at E3, the world’s premier trade show for computer and video games and related products.” We weren’t sure if the company were going to demonstrate HoloLens at E3 but it seems like it could be just as important to Microsoft as Xbox is for their annual conference. The company is also planning on announcing a lot of new Windows 10 games during their conference too.
It’s important to note that Microsoft has no intentions of entering the VR market, HoloLens is their future-proof device whereas VR is just a temporary solution. With Sony backing Project Morpheus big time during their E3 briefing, it’s clear why Microsoft want to do the same with HoloLens. It’ll also mark the first time gaming press get hands-on with HoloLens if any are available on the show-floor.
Many people also are unsure about the HoloLens integration on Xbox One. So when it comes to HoloLens, it relies on no other hardware. There’s no cables, no PC connections, nothing. Everything is processed inside the computer’s Holographic Processing Unit. So while Xbox and gaming will be on HoloLens and will play a huge role, it doesn’t need the Xbox hardware. HoloLens has the hardware it needs built right into it. What you’re looking at when you see HoloLens is the future and that’s why Microsoft are pitching it as the “all-in-one” device.
Microsoft has multiple gaming studios working on HoloLens projects as well. These include State of the Art creating the HoloLens on Mars experience, LXP working on Holostudio, FIT working on Minecraft. Good Science are working on secret HoloLens project and there’s one more unannounced project. I also believe that Turn 10 Studios and 343 Industries have received their HoloLens kits already and are already planning experiences for the device.
All that matters is, E3 is going to be huge for Microsoft. For Xbox, Windows and Hololens.
^Alan (@BeetleComet)
Alan Walsh is a games journalist, head writer at AR12Gaming. They contributed 52 articles to ICXM in 2015, focused on game reviews, Windows and PC, and Xbox news: leads editorial for AR12Gaming and reviews titles for OpenCritic.