Microsoft’s augmented-reality headset, HoloLens, was a particularly bright highlight of my E3 experience last month. A short, 10-minute demo was more than enough to convince me of the leap forward this headset is taking our interactions with digital bits and bobs, but it also made clear some of the many limitations the headset has. Limitations that Microsoft is no longer trying to hide.
After the Minecraft HoloLens demo during Microsoft’s E3 conference, it’s safe to say everyone was rather impressed. Thing is, seeing an entire Minecraft world on your table is a bit of a white lie, since HoloLens has a much smaller, rectangular field of view. It’s a little tricky to describe without seeing it, but thankfully Microsoft isn’t too keen on lying about it in promotional videos anymore.
It’s not so much that all those Minecraft demos were a lie, but more the case of not being able to see the entirety of the scene with the headset on. Since holographic objects are existing in your own personal space, they’re still technically there – just waiting for you to turn your head and look at them. It’s almost like saying that psychotic clown standing behind you isn’t there just because you can’t see him.
The video also hits home something that really needs to be understood about HoloLens: it’s not a gaming device. Sure it’s going to support games and some gaming experiences, but Microsoft’ isn’t building this as a competitor to the Rift or Sony’s Morpheus. They believe in HoloLens as a platform for digital interaction in thousands of fields, with medical being a quick, easy example.
And that’s actually a good thing, because it means the company will probably pump a lot more money and faith into the headset than the did the rather limiting Kinect. If Microsoft truly want to make HoloLens a viable headset, they’ll need to improve on what they’ve shown rather than cut back. And right now, I’m a true believer in the device in its current state, while holding a lot of hope for what it can become in the future.
Last Updated: July 9, 2015
WitWolfy
July 9, 2015 at 10:05
http://cdn.meme.am/instances/250×250/60079804.jpg
Lollies the Laughing Lollipop
July 9, 2015 at 10:06
POV Porn is going to be LEGENDARY!
Ottokie
July 9, 2015 at 10:09
Looking at the header, I can already feel my haunches burning with the intensity of a thousand white hot suns! after 2 hours of play
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 9, 2015 at 10:09
All that stuff they’ve just showed… it can be done more easily, cheaply, practically quickly, sitting dead still & clicking with a mouse.
As cool as all the new VR & Holo tech is, it’s still far too early for the hype train…
Ottokie
July 9, 2015 at 10:10
I’m with you on the Holo tech, but VR still has a lot of potential if it gets executed correctly.
konfab
July 9, 2015 at 10:24
Correct, all the “3D” they are talking about is nothing but a 2D projection onto a screen. No different from using a computer.
WitWolfy
July 9, 2015 at 10:17
I dont fall for MS’ tricks anymore. Remember Project Milo???
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPIbGnBQcJY
Still wanna kick myself for thinking this was real back in the day.
oVg"Guard boat with boat"Troll
July 9, 2015 at 10:50
Too soon
Milo never finished his homework in the end 🙁
oVg "Signs of a Troll" -Geralt
July 9, 2015 at 10:20
“They call me the Crimson Avenger!”
“More like the Crimson Asshole.”
“Silence, vermin!”
RinceThis
July 9, 2015 at 10:22
Your meds. TAKE THEM!
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 9, 2015 at 10:27
YOU LEAVE HIM ALONE!
RinceThis
July 9, 2015 at 10:30
Don’t oppress me!
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 9, 2015 at 10:32
But if I can’t oppress you, then I’m being oppressed in turn. FREEDOM! argleblarglegargle
oVg "Signs of a Troll" -Geralt
July 9, 2015 at 10:33
“I heard if you stuff garlic in all your holes, the monsters won’t get
you! But where are you going to get garlic these days!?” – Random
Peasant
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 9, 2015 at 10:34
Remember him telling the one merchant something about the free hand of the market giving him a PK? lulz
oVg "Signs of a Troll" -Geralt
July 9, 2015 at 10:34
Is it 1358 yet?
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 9, 2015 at 10:34
No? Then FUCK OFF!
oVg "Signs of a Troll" -Geralt
July 9, 2015 at 10:34
“I’ll stick me boot so far up yer arse your tongue’ll taste like wench t***”
oVg "Signs of a Troll" -Geralt
July 9, 2015 at 10:36
“You seem like a well travelled fellow, is it enough that I beat my wench once a week or should I do it more?”
oVg "Signs of a Troll" -Geralt
July 9, 2015 at 10:37
Dijkstra – “Oh I’m so sorry if I was rude to you Geralt, you know how it
is at my time of life, the menopause kicking in, the hot flushes, the
mood swings…”
Geralt – “you do know that men don’t get the menopause right?”
Dijkstra – “of course I f***ing know you stupid p****!”
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 9, 2015 at 13:16
I used to be bold & brash like you, but then I took a pitchfork to the gut.
oVg "Signs of a Troll" -Geralt
July 9, 2015 at 10:21
Geralt’s Limmerick to Lambert: “Lambert, Lambert, what a prick.”
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 9, 2015 at 10:23
“Lambert… you’re a genius!” BWHAHAHAHAHA
I don’t know when last I laughed so much at cut scenes in a serious game. Geralt should be drunk & slurring through the entire game.
oVg "Signs of a Troll" -Geralt
July 9, 2015 at 10:25
Or,
“I dont care if he is at the bottom of the Pontar strung up with his flute”…
Geralt – “LUTE”
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 9, 2015 at 10:26
Eskel. Eskeeeeeeeeeel. Chop-chop.
oVg "Signs of a Troll" -Geralt
July 9, 2015 at 10:27
It has the best dialogue than any other game I have ever played.
Radovid sucks flaccid cock. 😉
oVg"Guard boat with boat"Troll
July 9, 2015 at 10:43
“My favorite type of magic….” says the dwarf watching phillapa ‘revive’ saskia from her coma with a kiss; “Lesb0mancy!”
oVg"Guard boat with boat"Troll
July 9, 2015 at 10:45
Geralt: “Just out of curiosity, why do they call you madman…:?”
Madman: “AAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!…..Thats why”
RinceThis
July 9, 2015 at 10:21
Couldn’t make it through more than half the video. Fuck that music. It’s like it was lifted out of a Desperate Housewives episode. Lots of ‘sprightly’ strings and ‘meaningful’ piano. Urgh.
konfab
July 9, 2015 at 10:32
Also note the ethically diverse medical class.
RinceThis
July 9, 2015 at 10:32
Yeah. And… A woman doctor! PLEZZZZZ! HAHAHAHA 0_O
konfab
July 9, 2015 at 10:37
Maybe someone should make an app that augments everyone they see into a Gooback, that way racism in the work place a non existing thing.
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 9, 2015 at 10:37
RinceThis
July 9, 2015 at 10:39
Then why are you not better?!
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 9, 2015 at 10:40
Because you’re not competition or capable of making anything better.
RinceThis
July 9, 2015 at 10:43
Wow man, just, wow 🙁
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 9, 2015 at 10:46
Take THAT, Mr EVILZ!
oVg "Signs of a Troll" -Geralt
July 9, 2015 at 10:22
“i’m a right and randy dandy, the ladies find me handy”
oVg "Signs of a Troll" -Geralt
July 9, 2015 at 10:23
my favourite line, regarding Yennefer: “Would’ve mistaken her for a Orca whale, if not for her tits!”
oVg "Signs of a Troll" -Geralt
July 9, 2015 at 10:24
“you’re no lassie. Lassies got tits”
oVg "Signs of a Troll" -Geralt
July 9, 2015 at 10:29
“The witcher you slew”
RinceThis
July 9, 2015 at 10:31
If this carries on I may have to start deleting spambot comments not related to this article 😛
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 9, 2015 at 10:33
Now you want to pick on the banana too? Is there no end to your villainy?
RinceThis
July 9, 2015 at 10:35
Not today! I am EVILZ!
oVg"Guard boat with boat"Troll
July 9, 2015 at 10:49
Mirinda won comment of the week 🙁
konfab
July 9, 2015 at 10:31
Unless if you are actually augmenting reality, the hololens is no different from just using a computer screen.
So standing around a virtual heart floating in space looking at cross sections is no different than from looking at it with a screen.
What would be more interesting for me is to use it with 3D ultrasound. Put a sensor on the transducer so you know it’s location in space. Then project the output of the transducer onto the hololens, so it looks like you are looking through the skin. That would be impressive, in fact it would be so impressive that I should probably go and patent the idea…
oVg"Guard boat with boat"Troll
July 9, 2015 at 10:44
“It’s Geralt not Jerald.”
Mossel
July 9, 2015 at 11:08
Why not just buy Lego if you want to play minecraft in your room?
Admiral Chief's Adventure
July 9, 2015 at 11:14
^This