Teased for over years of development after a stellar demo at a Windows 10 event, Microsoft’s HoloLens is available for pre-order as of today (for major developers only).
Priced at a staggering $3,000, the augmented reality kit will begin shipment on March 30th. Those looking to unload a burdensome 3k can apply for pre-order via Microsoft’s website here.
Currently, the HoloLens will be producer for English audiences first, with developers in North America and Canada receiving priority at this time.
The kit will arrive prepackaged with three games to play: Young Conker, Fragments and RoboRaid:
Young Conker, created by Rare and Asobo Studios, is a fun VR platforming game that will bring this plucky squirrel to run, jump, and climb around your home.
Also developed by the team at Asobo Studios, Fragments is a crime-drama game where players find clues to help characters untangle a mystery without leaving the safety and comfort of your home. Microsoft is very enthusiastic about the game, stating that players will interact directly with game characters, almost as if real-live persons. Microsoft Vice President, Kudo Tsunoda, stated on the game:
Fragments blends the line between the digital world and the real world more than any other experience we built. When your living room has been used as the set for a story, it generates memories for you of what digitally happened in your space like it was real. It is an experience that bridges the uncanny valley of your mind and delivers a new form of storytelling like never before
Meanwhile, previously teased at E3 under a different name, RoboRaid a first person shooter where the player defends their home–your literal house–from invading aliens. These aliens will pour in from your walls and windows, and player can utilize the HoloLens’ “Clickers” to fend the extraterrestrial fiends offs.
Alongside the set price and shipment date, Microsoft further announced additional technologies and specs for the HoloLens:
- A battery life of approx 2-3 hours, with full functionality while charging.
- 64 GB Flash, and 2GB of RAM.
- Will weigh 579g.
- Ability to run on Windows 10, and access the Windows Store.
- Comes with 4 microphones, 1 depth camera, HD video camera, 4 “environment understanding” camera.
- Will utilize “Gaze Tracking” tools.
- Comes with Voice Support, and Gesture Input.
- Built in speakers (Audio 3.5mm jack).
- Wi-Fi 802.11ac.
Another non-gaming feature that the developers at Microsoft are most excited to talk about is an updated Skype app:
This type of communication has enormous potential in both the consumer and business world. It will allow developers to communicate with each other using the holographic medium to share development methods and seek the advice of others. With Skype, you can see the holograms the other person is seeing and you can use holograms to illustrate helpful techniques or development approaches. It is our hope that the holographic development community will be just that—a community.
While your average joe-consumer are not able to pre-order as of yet, we might glean more insight as big name developers get their hands on the HoloLens. Who knows what the future might hold in VR gaming?
If you are a developer looking to get in on the HoloLens experience, check out the Microsoft website for more information. Price is set at a whooping $3k, and shipment commences at the end of the month on March 30th.
Welcome to the future, guys.