Microsoft Will Bring Xbox Games to HoloLens
At the recently held Game Developers Conference, Microsoft had an opportunity to talk about its plans in bringing even better gaming experiences for the gaming public. A press event spearheaded by Phil Spencer, Head of Xbox at Microsoft, talked about the visions of the tech company in the integration of Windows 10, its latest operating system, and its hardware products such as the Xbox gaming console and the cutting-edge HoloLens augmented reality headset.
Spencer has confirmed during the said event that Microsoft is planning to tightly integrate its Xbox gaming platform with the futuristic HoloLens holographic VR headset. In addition, he stated that Microsoft has already started its in-house development efforts in creating “experiences” for the HoloLens and Xbox combination. Starting with the in-house development, the tech company also intends to reach out to third-party developers in pushing its efforts for the said initiative.
According to a press release by Microsoft, it stated that gaming is a “huge opportunity” aside from the countless practical applications of the HoloLens in various industries that take advantage of its holographic computing abilities. Spencer added during the press event that in introducing such radical new experiences to consumers, the gaming and entertainment aspects of the integration is critical. He even emphasized the vital role that gaming plays in other conventional platforms such as the PC, smartphones, and consoles themselves.
The event hinted at Microsoft’s intention to bring the holographic APIs to third-party developers as soon as it becomes available, with the announcement of the Windows Insider Program aimed at developers. Interested parties can sign up at the said developer program for early access to the API. With the Microsoft’s Build conference to be held next month, the public will have a better glimpse of what the company has to bring to the table with regards to the integration of HoloLens and Xbox in gaming.
Microsoft had a huge opportunity at this year’s Game Developers Conference to announce its update to the Xbox One as well as its well-anticipated intent to make Xbox games run on its breakthrough HoloLens augmented reality headset. Some important announcements that Microsoft made in terms of their gaming console include a new Xbox Live SDK for Windows 10, independent game dev support named ID@Xbox, cross-device buy-and-play integration for Windows 10 and Xbox, among other incremental updates.
For more information on the development of the HoloLens and Xbox, please visit the following websites:
http://news.xbox.com/2015/03/xbox-gdc-2015
http://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-hololens/en-us
http://www.polygon.com/2015/3/4/8146203/microsoft-windows-10-xbox-one-phil-spencer-gdc
