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Unity Technologies, the company behind the development platform of the same name, announced that they and Microsoft are teaming up to bring Unity to HoloLens. This collaboration will enable developers to “quickly and easily leverage the unique characteristics of Microsoft HoloLens such as spatial mapping, gaze, gesture, [and] voice recognition,” read the press release.
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Unity is widely used in the game development space, powering games like Ori and the Blind Forest, Monument Valley, Deus Ex: The Fall, and a whole host of others. However, it is not exclusive to games, with architectural and marketing scenarios listed on the company’s development showcase.
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“Microsoft HoloLens unshackles game and app designers from traditional screens creating a freedom to completely reimagine how we view and interact with information, education, entertainment, creative tools, social networks, remote healthcare and more,” said Steffen Toksvig, VP of Strategic Technology at Unity Technologies. “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.”
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HoloLens is shaping up to be one of the most exciting pieces of technology in recent memory. In the January unveiling, many hands-on testers went in skeptics and emerged believers; this is evidently not your typical tech demo. With Unity on board, and its Windows 10 underpinnings, HoloLens may provide an attractive platform for developers upon its release.
\n\nFurther reading: Build 2015, HoloLens, Microsoft, Unity, Windows 10