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HoloLens isn’t a gaming device (yet)

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HoloLens isn't about gaming just yet

One of the more impressive things I got to put up close to my face at E3 was undoubtedly Microsoft’s HoloLens. The Augmented Reality headset is taking big strides to question why we need things like monitors, TVs and 2D projectors, and the tech made a compelling enough argument for me to think Microsoft is really on to something special. Truth be told though, I wondered how gaming would benefit, and Microsoft isn’t sure of that yet.

Spending $2 billion on Minecraft alone would make you assume that HoloLens was being built with gaming in mind, but Microsoft CEO Sayta Nadella thinks that this first version isn’t really focusing on that. Instead, HoloLens is being built as an enterprise device – focusing more on medical, office and retail uses rather than home and entertainment. A fact that would explain the headset’s already limiting field of view.

For sure in the first version, it’s going to be more about developers and enterprise scenarios

I did buy Minecraft to create a new genre of gaming for mixed reality. We bought Minecraft for many reasons: because it’s the number one PC app; it’s the number one console app; it’s the number one paid mobile app on iOS and Android. I wanted a hit game even for the new medium of mixed reality. And we will have that. Gaming will always be a scenario and there will be other entertainment broadly. But, with the V.1 of HoloLens, I want us to push a lot more of the enterprise usage.

That doesn’t mean HoloLens is going to have zero gaming use, though. Minecraft is already acting as an intriguing selling point, and I have no doubt that Microsoft will try to shoehorn, at the very least, some functionality into their first-party games. But HoloLens has far less focus on gaming than even Kinect does, which says all it needs to.

And that makes sense given the amount of money Microsoft is pouring into the new platform. Gaming isn’t their primary bread winner, so it’s not illogical for them to focus on more broadly accepted uses for HoloLens (especially in sectors that will benefit far more than gaming). Will it be an innovative gaming device someday? Sure, I think so – just not yet.

Last Updated: July 15, 2015

39 Comments

  1. Kromas,powered by windows 10.

    July 15, 2015 at 15:06

    Then why show it off at E3 you stupid ass-hats?

    Edit:Maybe E3 stood for Electronic Enterprise Expo all these years …. hmmm.

    Reply

  2. Admiral Chief in Skellige

    July 15, 2015 at 15:08

    The only time I support team green…is if it is Kawasaki!

    Reply

    • Alien Emperor Trevor

      July 15, 2015 at 15:09

      Why don’t you support the environment? O_o

      Reply

      • Hammersteyn

        July 15, 2015 at 15:16

        Because he’s not a p***y?

        Reply

        • Witcher Bob

          July 15, 2015 at 15:17

          Puppy? We’re right, puppies are way cuter than the Admiral.

          Reply

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            July 15, 2015 at 15:18

            I was going to say pygmy. But that works too.

          • Admiral Chief in Skellige

            July 15, 2015 at 15:19

            I’m not a pygmy, you are correct

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            July 15, 2015 at 15:20

            I’m always right. It’s part of being Emperor.

          • RinceThis

            July 15, 2015 at 15:35

            Mmm… And I don’t mean the song…

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            July 15, 2015 at 15:41

            What? Speak ENGLISH.

          • Admiral Chief in Skellige

            July 15, 2015 at 15:43

            He is too far gone

          • Admiral Chief in Skellige

            July 15, 2015 at 15:19

            Agreed, I’ve got more of a “worship type” than a “cute type” face

        • Skoobaz

          July 15, 2015 at 15:53

          You’re right. Admiral’s not a ‘party’. He’s a boring stuffy old grammar nazi!

          Reply

          • Hammersteyn

            July 15, 2015 at 15:59

            HAHAHAHAHA!

          • Skoobaz

            July 15, 2015 at 16:07

            Lets see admiral pick up on the typos intentionally left here.

          • Admiral Chief in Skellige

            July 15, 2015 at 16:10

            Yeah, should be “Admiral is flipppen awesome”
            *fixed

          • Skoobaz

            July 15, 2015 at 16:12

            Hehe, Baited. I was about to respond to Hammersteyn that you’re getting slow

          • Admiral Chief in Skellige

            July 15, 2015 at 16:16

            Heh, he informed me of this blatant spelling mistake 😛

    • Witcher Bob

      July 15, 2015 at 15:16

      But if it’s red it must be shot dead. Purple ones too. You going to play PS2 tonight?

      Reply

      • Admiral Chief in Skellige

        July 15, 2015 at 15:18

        I think there is either something wrong with the server, or with my line. I’ve had HORRIBLE lag last night and the night before, could barely log in. But my internet seems fine. Could be international breakout issue, or perhaps server issues.
        So, I’ll definitely try!
        You gonna join?

        Reply

        • Witcher Bob

          July 15, 2015 at 15:20

          Definitely, been playing a bit over the past few nights. I was waiting for you join but I always seem to miss you. Then you were on last night and I was busy playing rust with a buddy. Bloody Murphy.

          Reply

          • Admiral Chief in Skellige

            July 15, 2015 at 15:20

            I tried playing, but like I say, HORRIBLE lag. When last did you play? Also, what faction and server?

          • Witcher Bob

            July 15, 2015 at 15:23

            Played on Monday evening. Seemed ok even though my connection quality was poor/yellow. I’m on your server and your faction. We’ve jammed together before.
            It is I, Crazy Bob.

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            July 15, 2015 at 15:28

          • Witcher Bob

            July 15, 2015 at 15:35

            The only WAAAAAAGH that scares me is the one that is followed by a sea of orks otherwise known as the green tide.

          • Admiral Chief in Skellige

            July 15, 2015 at 15:36

            I actually saw this last nigh, laughed my ass off!

          • Admiral Chief in Skellige

            July 15, 2015 at 15:37

            Hmmm, interesting. I’ll try again tonight, what is your nic ingame?

          • Witcher Bob

            July 15, 2015 at 15:43

            Ingame name is CrazyBobb and you already have me as a friend on steam. I’ll hit you up if I see you come online.

          • Admiral Chief in Skellige

            July 15, 2015 at 15:43

            Cool cool, probably at 21h00

    • Hammersteyn

      July 15, 2015 at 15:16

      Also these guys

      Reply

  3. DragonSpirit009

    July 15, 2015 at 15:13

    Oh this would make designing so much fun!

    Reply

  4. RinceThis

    July 15, 2015 at 15:34

    Kinect didn’t connect with gaming in any way 😛

    Reply

  5. konfab

    July 15, 2015 at 17:37

    50 points for the person who makes an Ari interface for it.

    Reply

  6. kiernan Rodriguez

    July 16, 2015 at 23:13

    Hey guys if y’all are interested in gaming to that nature I play video games and post videos about them on my youtube channel check it outhttps://www.youtube.com/user/Krod7435/videos. Also check out my website too https://caruto1.wordpress.com/ your support and sharing it to others would help a lot

    Reply

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