Microsoft HoloLens Release Date Early 2016: But $3,000 Price Tag On Developer Kit Puts VR Unit Out Of Reach For Regular Consumers

The HoloLens is coming. Microsoft has finally revealed that its game-changing wearable computer glasses will be available as a developer kit in the first quarter of 2016. Unfortunately, this is not the consumer release you may be hoping for. Indeed, the device will cost $3,000, placing it well out of the realms of regular consumers.

Microsoft also demonstrated a new game onstage called Project X-Ray. Demonstrating holdable virtual objects, the player was able to hold a weapon in their hand and shoot at enemies making their way through the walls. The HoloLens overlaid the game onto the real world, with virtual objects interacting with objects in the physical room.

It's not the first time HoloLens has showed its gaming capabilities. In September, Unity was demonstrated live onstage working with the HoloLens, and developers promised support for the device in their cross-platform game engine.

"HoloLens creates experiences that are simply not possible on any other device or any other platform," said Terry Myerson, Microsoft's vice president of the Windows and devices group.