Disney is considering augmented reality for its toys-to-life game
Disney looks to be turning to HoloLens, Microsoft’s augmented reality headset, for a new version of its Disney Infinity game. There’s a stigma with console gaming that it’s not a social, family time activity, and that’s where Disney is hoping the world of wearable tech can help.
John Vignocchi, VP of Production at Disney Interactive, told Engadget that he is considering both virtual reality and augmented reality for the sandbox game, in which physical figurines unlock Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars characters and gameplay.
Read this: We go hands on with HoloLens at E3
“We’ve had multiple meetings and discussions with Oculus,” he said. “Multiple meetings and discussions with Sony about Morpheus; multiple meetings and discussions with Microsoft about HoloLens. We’re very interested in that space. There’s the socialisation problem right now with VR, but augmented reality is very exciting.”
There’s no doubt that Disney Infinity would be a neat fit for augmented reality as it already combines gaming with objects in the real world. But there’s some issues to iron out first.
Having to buy a headset for everyone in the family might be a cumbersome and expensive solution unless there are enough games and apps to justify the money. And while we know, from our Halo 5 demo, that HoloLens is fully adjustable to fit different adult head sizes, it’s not clear yet how suitable the headset is for children.
Another little dilemma for Disney to work with is the lack of a controller with the HoloLens. Kids in the middle of an exciting game might struggle with the intricate gestures and voice commands we’ve seen and used so far.
Still, with refinement from Microsoft and its partners, we may all be huddling around a holographic game, headsets on, come Christmas Day 2016.
What do you think about Disney Infinity possibly coming to HoloLens? Awesome or awkward? Let us know in the comments below, or head over to our shiny new forum.