Tim Sweeney: 'You Can Plot a Linear Path from Where Magic Leap is Today to Your Oakley Sunglasses'

Tim Sweeney talked about the future of AR HMDs with Shacknews at GDC 2018.

May 1, 2018 8:00 AM

Magic Leap hopes to change the world forever when its developer kit the Magic Leap One Creator Edition releases later this year. Shacknews sat down with Tim Sweeney at the Epic Games booth at GDC 2018 to talk about AR, VR, UE4, Fortnite, and Nintendo Switch. One of the more interesting takes from Tim was his thoughts on Magic Leap and the future of AR HMDs. "You can plot a linear path from where Magic Leap is today to your Oakley sunglasses," said Sweeney. He went on to say that within ten years we will reach critical mass for the market for AR head-mounted displays.

Only time will tell if Magic Leap will be able to live up to the hype. Do you think that Tim Sweeney is right about the future of augmented reality headsets? Let us know in the comments section.

Asif Khan

CEO/EIC/EIEIO

Asif Khan is the CEO, EIC, and majority shareholder of Shacknews. He began his career in video game journalism as a freelancer in 2001 for Tendobox.com. Asif is a CPA and was formerly an investment adviser representative. After much success in his own personal investments, he retired from his day job in financial services and is currently focused on new private investments. His favorite PC game of all time is Duke Nukem 3D, and he is an unapologetic fan of most things Nintendo. Asif first frequented the Shack when it was sCary's Shugashack to find all things Quake. When he is not immersed in investments or gaming he is a purveyor of fine electronic music. Asif also has an irrational love of Cleveland sports.

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May 1, 2018 8:00 AM

Asif Khan posted a new article, Tim Sweeney: 'You Can Plot a Linear Path from Where Magic Leap is Today to Your Oakley Sunglasses'
- [deleted] 92559685
  
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  May 1, 2018 8:49 AM
  
  [deleted]
  - Mad Brahmin Disease
    
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    May 1, 2018 9:17 AM
    
    DO...Kely
- dextius
  
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  May 1, 2018 8:53 AM
  
  Great interview Asif. I have become a bigger and bigger fan of Tim over the last decade or so.
  
  I hope his prediction of AR glasses in 10 years proves viable, the biggest engineering hurdle I see is power and heat dissipation. Unless we ever figure out how to make cheap semi-conductors out of diamonds (which I highly doubt will occur in 10 years), and battery tech doubles/triples (John Goodenough wins again at 90+ years old?).
- Conan
  
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  May 1, 2018 9:10 AM
  
  Good interview. Much as I'd love to see it there's still some significant engineering hurdles to get there. I don't doubt we will, but I wouldn't place bets on it happening within a decade.
  
  And technically there are a few other headsets out there that use lightfield reconstruction and support variable focus. Nothing you can currently just buy, but...that goes for Magic Leap, too.
  - Conan
    
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    May 1, 2018 9:14 AM
    
    Also, man, I wish legally we could get a roundtable discussion on AR/VR with Carmack and Sweeney and Abrash and a couple others. Just see where they see it, how they might try solving some of the outstanding problems, etc.
    
    Obviously that can't happen given trade secrets and competition and everything, but man I'd watch it.
    - dextius
      
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      May 1, 2018 9:48 AM
      
      Yeah, that'd be something I'd pay $ for in a PPV, man I'm such a nerd. Oh, maybe add Elon Musk just for fun?
      - Conan
        
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        May 1, 2018 10:35 AM
        
        Nah, save that for the followup on space Exploration, with Carmack (again), Bezos and him...and maybe a Boeing rep just so they have something to laugh at.
        
        dextius
        
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        May 1, 2018 11:32 AM
        
        Man Boeing yesterday on Ars saying the falcon heavy was too small for NASA was disappointing. I mean it is expected to defend their jobs but the suspension of disbelief is getting out of hand.