I’ve been out of playing PC games for a long time and it’s been even longer since I last kept up with what 3D engines are able to do. I’ve played with an Oculus Rift coupled to a Leap Motion device and it’s easy to see how it opens the door to a whole new set of mixed-mode real and virtual experiences. But I was never quite as blown away by a 3D rendering as I was by Benoit Dereau’s latest demo that he created using Unreal Engine 4. The film takes the viewer for a walk through a 19th century parisian Haussman-style apartment.
We’re not yet reaching photo-realistic levels yet but this is so very close. The lighting is spot on, the textures are vivid but there’s something that is missing (or maybe that needs to be taken away) - it’s hard to put the finger on it. But in any case, this is the kind of demo that makes Hololens incredibly exciting to me.
Microsoft’s new tech is impressive and promising in and of itself but the prospect of including extremely high quality 3D rendering makes it even more appealing. I imagine visiting an open house and being able to place furniture around the rooms then being able to share that with people you’re going to be moving in with. We’re in 2015 and finally reaching 1999-levels of technology.