Microsoft's augmented reality (AR) headset, HoloLens, is poised to stir the market once it releases, changing the way we currently perceive gaming.
Announced in January this year, Microsoft's HoloLens renders HD hologram-type images to a user's surroundings, which seem realistic—almost tangible—and become interactive digital objects that merge seamlessly into the environment.
Now, Microsoft has partnered with Unity Technologies to further fuel the potential of its futuristic HoloLens headset. Thanks to this collaboration with Unity Technologies, which Microsoft announced at the Build conference, the Unity game engine will have support for HoloLens.
Developers will have the ability to work in tandem with a popular and robust engine when developing games for the impending AR headset. The Unity game engine is the one propelling titles such as Deus Ex: The Fall, Hearthstone and Hitman Go.
Since its January debut, Microsoft's much-touted HoloLens is slated to bring "hologram technology" to the masses as an independent device compatible with gaming platforms such as the Xbox or even PC in the long term.
Unity revealed that as part of the collaboration with Microsoft, it will offer support for all HoloLens' flagship features, including gaze, spatial mapping, voice recognition, gesture recognition, as well as the ability to "anchor holographic objects to specific locations in the real world."
Steffen Toksvig, the company's strategic technology VP, stated Unity anticipates the engine will be deployed for other things apart from gaming.
"We're happy to be working with Microsoft to ensure Unity is the best development engine for such an exciting new platform. Our work will ensure a seamless and efficient development experience that takes full advantage of the unique features and capabilities of Microsoft HoloLens," revealed Toksvig.
The company also stated via a blog post that the Unity for HoloLens tools will be incorporated in the Unity Personal Edition and Unity Pro for free.
At the Game Developers Conference in March, Phil Spencer, head of Xbox, said first-party studios are doing their best to create games for the AR platform.
"Gaming and entertainment [are] going to be critical," Spencer said.
Several analysts are forecasting that the AR and virtual reality (VR) sectors are set to become a $150 billion industry by 2020.
