While other virtual reality headsets are being marketed for gaming and entertainment, the Microsoft HoloLens augmented reality headset will be for developers and enterprises first, according to CEO Satya Nadella.
"For sure in the first version, it's going to be more about developers and enterprise scenarios," Nadella told ZDNet.
The tech giant has been going out of its way to promote its augmented reality device offering research grants for academic teams to find a purpose for it. Microsoft has also partnered with NASA for Sidekick which sees technologies, including HoloLens, used for space exploration.
Last week, the Microsoft HoloLens augmented reality headsets flexed its productivity muscles in a demo featuring Maya Autodesk 3D modeling software.
But what about all those HoloLens "Minecraft" demos? Microsoft did spend $2.5 billion to acquire the massively-popular game last year.
Nadella did say that gaming "will always be a scenario and there will be other entertainment broadly."
"I did buy 'Minecraft' to create a new genre of gaming for mixed reality. We bought 'Minecraft' for many reasons: because it's the number one PC app; it's the number one console app; it's the number one paid app mobile app on iOS and Android. I wanted a hit game even for a new medium of mixed reality. And we will have that."
So far, "Minecraft" is the only gaming demo for HoloLens with no other titles in development, according to Trusted Reviews. Pushing for the popular title would be a "smart move" for Microsoft.
For the meantime, Nadella said Microsoft will pursue HoloLens for productivity, healthcare, retail and other non-entertainment uses. The first version of the device will be "[pushed] a lot more [towards] enterprise usage."
"That's where I'm seeing the interest and we'll definitely go after it."
Microsoft HoloLens augmented reality headset release date; pricing and other details have been under wraps so far.
