For a device that is not even in the hands of developers yet, Microsoft’s HoloLens augmented reality headset has certainly captured the imagination of the tech savvy public. It will likely be quite some time before the device is actually available for purchase by consumers, but HoloLens is one step closer now with the announcement that developer kits will be arriving in the first quarter of 2016 for a costly $3000.

While $3000 may seem pricey compared to devices like Google Cardboard, Samsung Gear VR, or even Oculus Rift, a key difference with HoloLens is the fact that it is completely self-contained and does not require a smartphone or high-powered PC to use.

News about the release of the dev kit came during today’s Windows 10 Devices event, where Microsoft also demonstrated HoloLens’ mixed reality gaming capabilities with Project XRay, an AR game that is essentially a first-person shooting gallery. Microsoft showed off Project XRay’s “holograms you can hold”  feature, which projects a holographic gauntlet onto the player’s arm that acts as their weapon. Project XRay also features a real world gameplay experience that uses players’ surroundings to create unique game environments.

If you are interested in applying for a HoloLens dev kit, you can sign up for one on at holotechinfo.com. For the first round of dev kits, the application requires that developers are located in the US or Canada and are already participating in Windows Insider.

“To build a vibrant community, we are looking for a wide spectrum of developers to create diverse apps and experiences,” the signup page says. “The more you share in your application form, the easier it will be for us to see how you’ll help build the future of holographic computing with us, one inspired app at a time.”

Microsoft stresses that the dev kit application is not a pre-order, and developers will not be able to order their own HoloLens until they are approved.

Image courtesy of Microsoft Corp