Microsoft HoloLens price, release date & demo video: see 'Project X-Ray' game in action [video]

• comments
• 
• 

Microsoft announced an experimental game named "Project X-Ray" which will be playable in the company's new HoloLens.

The company recently held a demo for the wearable device and game as well as "holograms you can hold."

In the demo, the player wields a wearable hologram which becomes his weapon. With it, he uses it to fight off aliens and robots alike. The player can freely shoot or defend from the oncoming enemies and at the same time dodge the oncoming fire.

"With HoloLens, the action happens all around you and thanks to spatial sound, you'll hear the game play as if it's happening inside your room," the developer said.

Because of the device's uncanny ability to recognize walls and furniture, each room you choose to play becomes "unique" and customized" as the game creates tactics to "attack" the player.

What makes the game entirely convincing is:

"Holograms behave just like real objects. They can interact with the environment and with each other."

Instead of virtual reality, HoloLens is pegged as "mixed reality," according to Game Spot. There have been experiments for games such as "Halo" and "Minecraft" but it will remain to be so until glitches and issues have been fixed.

According to Engadget, the headsets will reportedly go on tour across the US and Canada starting on Oct. 13 in Seattle, then Toronto, Salt Lake City, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York City, Minneapolis, Phoenix, Atlanta, and Austin. The events are aimed at giving interested parties the chance to try out HoloLens. Additionally, it will also be a way for developers to meet up with the HoloLens team and have them learn how "holographic experiences" are made.

For more information on the event dates and how to register, go to Microsoft HoloLens Events.

For those aiming to get their hands on a HoloLens developer's kit, Microsoft announced that they are accepting applications for the mixed reality device. It will be available in early 2016 for a retail price of $3000, according to PC World.

"HoloLens is fully untethered: No wires, no phones, no connection to a PC required," said Microsoft's Terry Myerson who believes that the price is worth it. It is a standalone device which is in contrast to the Oculus Rift which requires a PC and the HTC Vive or a Samsung headset and a smart phone.

According to The Verge, Microsoft's HoloLens will be marketed for both business and entertainment, says CEO Satya Nadella. Information about the device such as specs and other capabilities are still scarce.