Epic Games bringing Unreal Engine 4 support to HoloLens

Epic-Games (Image credit: Epic Games)

Amidst all of the HoloLens 2 hype at Microsoft's Mobile World Congress 2019 event today, Epic Games' Tim Sweeney took the stage to announce that Unreal Engine support is coming to the HoloLens platform. Specifically, Unreal Engine 4, the same engine that powers games like Fortnite and Gears of War 4, will be used to create 3D objects in augmented reality apps.

Despite its gaming roots, however, don't expect Unreal Engine 4 to be powering any major gaming experiences on HoloLens 2 yet. Sweeney noted that Epic doesn't have any games in the works just yet. And because HoloLens is mainly finding a home in the enterprise space right now, that's not too surprising (that $3,500 price tag isn't exactly mainstream, either). However, if a more consumer-oriented version of HoloLens makes its way to market in the future, it wouldn't be surprising to see Epic leading the charge with some gaming experiences of its own.

According to Sweeney, Unreal Engine 4 support is coming to developers in May. Sweeney added: "In the years to come, Epic will support HoloLens in all of our endeavors."

HoloLens 2, which includes several upgrades over its predecessor, including a smaller design, carbon fiber, built-in eye tracking, and a whole host of other improvements, is currently available to preorder for $3,500 from Microsoft.

HoloLens Part Deux

Microsoft HoloLens 2

HoloLens, but better.

HoloLens 2 takes everything that made the original great and turns it up to 11. With a new carbon fiber body, extra padding, eye tracking, and a wider field of view, the headset should have no problem finding success among developers and firstline workers.

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Dan Thorp-Lancaster is the former Editor-in-Chief of Windows Central. He began working with Windows Central, Android Central, and iMore as a news writer in 2014 and is obsessed with tech of all sorts. You can follow Dan on Twitter @DthorpL and Instagram @heyitsdtl.