Microsoft has shown a Pokémon Go tech demo in which the mobile pocket monster phenomenon is playable via the company’s Hololens headset.
A video of the demonstration, labelled as “proof of concept” and “not for consumer use”, was part of a presentation detailing Microsoft Mesh, the company’s new mixed reality platform (thanks, The Verge).
Introduced by Niantic boss John Hanke – the company’s own Professor Willow – the demo shows how players can interact with creatures in mixed-reality, rather than AR, and use virtual controls which float around the user’s wrist.
In the demo, your surroundings are replicated with Pokémon layered on top, which is probably safer than walking around staring down at your phone and wandering into the road. I have never done this.
For now, this is just a limited tech demo. You can interact with Pokémon in a similar manner to how you can in the app with Pokémon buddies – feeding them berries, and having them follow you around. Mixed reality Pokémon battles were teased, but not shown.
Microsoft has launched Mesh as a platform for devices such as Hololens, and is encouraging developers to get on board and create new mixed-reality experiences. Others shown include Mii-like avatars and video footage of people sat within virtual conference rooms, as a next-gen version of Zoom. Now, give me a mixed-reality Hey You, Pikachu! like that and we’ll talk.