A few days ago Microsoft became cool again with the many surprises unveiled at the Windows 10 Event. The biggest surprise was definitely the announcement of the Windows Holographic project, Microsoft HoloLens. Microsoft’s proprietary addition to the head-mounted display industry could prove to be a revolutionary step forward. The HoloLens is the culmination of Kinect-like voice commands, IllumiRoom-like projection, and Oculus-like head mounted-ness. With the HoloLens, Microsoft has introduced a wireless version of not virtual reality, but a new form of augmented reality. By making a head-mounted display that does not completely encase the user in utter isolation and allows users to view the real world with a super-imposed user interface, HoloLens hopes to differentiate itself from the likes of Oculus or Sony’s Project Morpheus.
Microsoft’s promotional video displayed many “Tony Stark” scenarios for the device, but the Minecraft demo is what enticed the imaginations of gamers. Video games as a genre have always tried to lean towards total immersion, with HoloLens total immersion could be sacrificed or enhanced. The Oculus Rift inherently makes your brain work to adjust to this new world you are viewing. Many Rift demos include games where you cannot see your limbs or games that try to map your limbs artificially as to not disorientate you. HoloLens has the potential to avoid all the disorientation problems because you are never cut off from the real world.
