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Silicon Valley developers talk HoloLens

Looking forward to all kinds of new apps and video games on Microsoft’s HoloLens? Here’s what we’ve got so far: speculation. The tech giant has yet to announce any releases for the device, but that hasn’t stopped some high-profile developers from offering their input on the HoloLens.

It’s really hard not to be excited about the HoloLens. The visual presentation is astounding, the concept is solid, and the possibilities are endless. Whether the Lens turns out to be the jumping off point, or just another footnote in the augmented-reality revolution comes down to two things: The developers who choose to create apps and games for the device, and whether or not Microsoft uses feedback from those developers to improve the platform.

And here’s what those developers have to say, let’s hope Microsoft is listening:

You kind of want to scream ‘don’t over promise these things‘” – Peter Molyneux

Peter Molyneux, developer behind the Fable series, Populous and Black & White described the initial experience as “magical,” but citing the disappointment gamers experienced with Microsoft’s Kinect, their answer to the Playstation Move and the Nintendo Wiimote, suggested that the brand might be wise to curb expectations.

Definitely real.” – Mojang developer Jens Bergensten on HoloLens Minecraft apps

Mojang, the developers behind Minecraft, were bought by Microsoft last year, so this is Microsoft on Microsoft and you may want to take it with a grain of salt, but Microsoft have been playing the game close to the chest at this point, so good luck finding commentary from anyone else who’s actually developed an app for the Lens.

…we’ve just been wed to our screens for too long.” – Eventbrite CEO Kevin Hartz

The most obvious applications for the Lens involve gaming, but Hartz envisions a new way of navigating digital information. Indeed, if we project some years into the future, it’s not hard to imagine a contact lens-mounted device that lets users stay connected without having to carry so much as a smartphone around with them. The HoloLens may be the birth of a new kind of internet experience.

..games would be improved by having 30% more screen area…” – Video game designer/consultant/writer Tadhg Kelly

Tadhg Kelly, in a piece for Tech Crunch, envisions the supplementary use of the HoloLens when playing on the Xbox One. Rather than playing a game of table tennis on a holographic table, Kelly sees the opportunity to dedicate the television to the in-game action, with UI information (healthbars, remaining ammo, mini-map, etc.) projected on the HoloLens off to the side, in numbers and charts floating in mid-air around the television, rather than cluttering up the screen. A subtle, but exciting, possibility created by the Lens.

gesture control… really sucks as an input method.” – Technolust developer Blair Renaud

While expressing excitement for the platform, Blair Renaud compares gesture control to being a ghost, unable to truly interact with the world around you, only being able to point and gesture at what you want to do.

The HoloLens seems to be generating anticipation and skepticism in equal measure. We’ll have to wait and see how Microsoft and third party developers implement the device before passing a verdict, but it’s hard not to be excited at the possibilities.

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