Meet Project X-Ray, the HoloLens' first game prototype
We've always know that Microsoft is planning to release Minecraft on the HoloLens. Now we know that the company also has another game up its sleeves and it's already looking like an incredibly fun experience.
Just take a look at the video. Don't read anything more until you have. It's ok, we'll wait.
Now, doesn't that look completely incredible? Sure, it's a basic shoot 'em up but the fact that it functions at all without a connected PC, tablet or smart device is amazing.
We've talked about the Microsoft HoloLens at length, multiple times. We've talked about how Disney's Infinity series might be coming to it, the E3 Halo 5 briefing that made use of its AR functions and even that Xbox Live will eventually make its way to the headset. What we've never talked about is the games for the headset. Sure we know Minecraft's coming for it, but other than that, the gaming landscape for the headset looked to be pretty bare. Now at least we have Project X-Ray.
Project X-Ray is a game with a simple premise. Aliens attack whatever room you're in and you have to defend yourself from their attack. While the premise might get more fleshed out in the future, right now, Project X-Ray is nothing more than a tech demo. But what an impressive tech demo it is.
While the game itself is pretty basic, it's the technology behind it that's mighty impressive. The HoloLens is generating everything, from the visuals, to the physics to scanning the room, all in real time. It is able to intelligent to tell where the walls are and spawn the aliens there while the user moves around, all without the use of an external device. Other headsets like the Oculus Rift, HTC Vive or the Playstation VR all require external hardware to function.
What's even cooler is how the hologram forms around the player's hand, making it seem is if it's a blaster, all in real time. Suddenly our dreams of playing as Mega Man isn't a dream anymore.
If this is just the early prototype of what the HoloLens will eventually be capable of, we can't wait to see what Microsoft unveils next as the device nears completion.
Source: Microsoft (via Gizmodo).
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