Microsoft today revealed how it plans to deliver the first mixed reality hardware to developers. And in 2018, it is bringing mixed reality to Xbox “Project Scorpio” as well.
Yes, you read that right: Project Scorpio is shipping in 2017, so this means the console will not include MR capabilities at launch.
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“The Acer Windows Mixed Reality Developer Edition headset will begin shipping this month, empowering developers to create on the Windows Mixed Reality platform,” a Microsoft representative told me. “Additionally, Microsoft will take Windows Mixed Reality beyond the desktop and HoloLens and bring it to the Xbox One family of devices, including Project Scorpio, in 2018.”
Microsoft revealed in December that it is working with several hardware maker partners to bring Windows Holographic mixed reality headsets to market by late 2017. It later promised to provide developers with prototype hardware in March, at the Game Developers Conference. Which is happening right now.
So this announcement means they’re a bit behind on that promise.
“To empower even more developers to create in mixed reality, we gave a ‘golden ticket’ to game developers who attended our Windows Mixed Reality session at GDC, and those developers will receive the Acer developer edition headset in the coming months,” Microsoft’s Alex Kipman says.
Microsoft has detailed the Acer hardware, but I have to admit I’m a lot more interested in the Scorpio information. Here, things are quite vague.
“We’re also excited to share that Windows Mixed Reality experiences will light up on other devices over time, beyond desktop and Microsoft HoloLens,” a Microsoft statement reads. “Our plan is to bring mixed reality content to the Xbox One family of devices, including Project Scorpio, in 2018.”
And that’s it. Microsoft promises more information at its Build conference in May.