While there's no doubt in my mind that Microsoft is hard at work on developing the next-gen Xbox, could a 360-degree projection system be part of it?
Microsoft has filed a patent for just the thing (via Reddit)! They call it an "Immersive Display Experience" and aims to create a "virtual game room" for the players involved.
While that and the image above might not be too clear on what Microsoft aims to do with the patent, the filing's summary reads:
[0002] An immersive display environment is provided to a human user by projecting a peripheral image onto environmental surfaces around the user. The peripheral images serve as an extension to a primary image displayed on a primary display.
[0003] This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Furthermore, the claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any or all disadvantages noted in any part of this disclosure.
Yep, it seems Microsoft wants to create a scenario where the entire gaming room will be part of the gaming space itself. Additionally, the detailed description also lists the following:
[0010] Interactive media experiences, such as video games, are commonly delivered by a high quality, high resolution display. Such displays are typically the only source of visual content, so that the media experience is bounded by the bezel of the display. Even when focused on the display, the user may perceive architectural and decorative features of the room the display is in via the user's peripheral vision. Such features are typically out of context with respect to the displayed image, muting the entertainment potential of the media experience. Further, because some entertainment experiences engage the user's situational awareness (e.g., in experiences like the video game scenario described above), the ability to perceive motion and identify objects in the peripheral environment (i.e., in a region outside of the high resolution display) may intensify the entertainment experience.
Could this be Kinect 2.0? If so, and if Microsoft can pull it off, that's some snazzy stuff right there. Imagine the Virtual Reality experience but in HD and possibly with no mounted headpiece.
Of course, do temper your expectations as patents like this are always getting registered by companies but that doesn't mean it will come true.
Based on what you read, are you hoping this is the next-generation of Kinect or will it once again sound great in theory but only useful for casual games?
