Game streaming to HoloLens demonstrated

We’re no strangers to Microsoft HoloLens. No, we don’t have one, before you ask, but we have read everything we can get our hands on about Microsoft’s Augmented Reality device, and written a fair amount about it too. In the Summer it was confirmed that HoloLens, as part of the Windows family, will have access to Xbox Live, and our gaming interests were piqued. When we learned that HoloLens project manager Varun Mani had posted a YouTube video of Halo 5 streamed direct to HoloLens, our imaginations were fired…

~ Streaming Xbox One games to Microsoft HoloLens. A play in three Acts. ~

Act I: A suburban living room, evening. Starring Emma, a Wife and Adam, a Husband.

Emma
Adam, what on earth are you wearing?

Adam
Microsoft HoloLens, the first fully untethered, holographic computer, enabling high-definition holograms to integrate with your world!

Emma
My world? What on earth are you jabbering on about? Have you been reading marketing pamphlets again?

Adam
It’s incredible! Wearing these, I can stream all my Xbox One games straight to my head! It’s just like I have a huge TV right in front of me on which I can play all my games!

Adam
What… you mean like the huge TV you made me buy and hang on the wall… right in front of you?

Adam
Yes, exactly, isn’t that amazing?

Emma
…?
Act II: The next morning, Kitchen

Emma
Why on Earth are you still wearing those… things?

Adam
Wearing these, I need never be disconnected from my Xbox again! I can play HALO 5 ALL THE TIME! Even when I’m changing the baby. If I can work out how to do that and hold the controller at the same time… I dropped her when I tried it.

Emma
YOU WHAT?

Act III: Later that afternoon, Bedroom

Emma
Adam, we need to talk, can you take that contraption off your head, please?

Adam
Not really. Holograms are the next evolution in computing. With this vision in mind, hardware, software, and design came together using specialized components that together enable holographic computing. The optical system that works in lock-step with advanced sensors. The HPU that makes light work of processing a large amount of data per second. All those components and more enable me to move freely and interact with holograms. I’m wearing it right now. I look like Geordi La Forge from Star Trek.

Emma
I want a divorce.

~ FIN ~

In truth, we are pretty excited for the future promised by HoloLens, and the Augmented Reality (AR) experience it creates. There are lots of clever, useful things the technology can do; create a more intuitive user interface, or make computing, gaming or personal interaction over distance a more accessible, natural experience. The ability to play games on a huge screen only you can see sounds like fun, too. And, as you can see from the video posted by Varun Mani, a seamless experience in the home that just works without any fuss looks to be possible.