Microsoft HoloLens release updates; former Lionhead chief to lead game development for platform

Microsoft's groundbreaking hologram device called HoloLens. microsoft.com/microsoft-hololens

Microsoft made several adjustments to its personnel lineup before the highly anticipated HoloLens reaches retail stores. 

Engadget recently reported that the Redmond-based tech giant hired former Lionhead Studios chief John Needham to directly be in charge of all the internal developments for some of the games that will be featured on the company's gaming console brand Xbox as well as the upcoming HoloLens platform. 

Needham, who used to be the head of the gaming studio that brought "Fable" to the market, now has to work directly under Microsoft Studio's portfolio investments team head Kudo Tsunoda to oversee the whole development process for the future offerings of both platforms. 

A representative from Microsoft reportedly gave a statement about the new personnel addition to Engadget, saying: "John Needham relocated to Redmond in a new role overseeing internal development for several games and experiences for both Xbox and Microsoft HoloLens reporting to Kudo." 

The Microsoft HoloLens was first announced at the company's Windows 10 event back in January, and people have been intrigued about it since then. The official website dedicated for this upcoming product posted its product description, saying:

Microsoft HoloLens features see-through, holographic, high-definition lenses and spatial sound so you can see and hear holograms in the world around you. Complete with advanced sensors and a new Holographic Processing Unit (HPU) that understands the world around you, Microsoft HoloLens is able to run without any wires while processing terabytes of data from the sensors in real-time." 

Microsoft also mentioned that the HoloLens is a separate product from their other device lineups, but it will be powered by Windows 10. It can function properly even without the support of wires, smartphones, or PC connections. 

At this point, the Redmond firm is keeping a lot of other information about the Microsoft HoloLens device, including its official release date. But it is expected to be discussed during the Microsoft Build Developer Conference 2015 scheduled next week. 

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