Microsoft Shows X360 Camera Gesture, FaceMap Tech

simoniker writes "At Microsoft's GameFest earlier this week, Gamasutra got up close and personal with the Xbox 360 Live Vision camera, including more information about packed-in game TotemBall, as well as the Xbox 360 facemapping tech from Digimask, and most interestingly, the gesture-based Xbox 360 software from GestureTek. This includes face and motion-tracking, as well as "a solution for tracking individual, non-facial objects on-screen, such as handheld peripherals". Could Wii-like control schemes work on Xbox 360 using this tech?"

MS had Wiimote-prototype a while ago...

[HeaththeGreat]

I remember reading an article a while back that MS had a prototype Wiimote in 2000 or 2001 for PC. I don't think it was ever made for public use.

That being said, I'm a Nintendo fanboy, and they're totally copying...

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[j00r0m4nc3r]

MS copy? Inconceivable..

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[chrisbtoo]

You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.

Either that or you don't understand irony.

Nice sig, tho.

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[Tyger]

Either that or you don't understand irony.

Either that or you missed the movie quote.

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[shoelace_822695]

i cant see how they would have missed it..

I mean its only slightly less well known then 'never start a land war in asia'

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[chrisbtoo]

Touché.

Never seen the movie in question, as it happens. For some reason I'm familiar with "My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die", tho.

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[andrewman327]

If Microsoft is ripping off anyone, it is Sony. The Wiimote requires the user to hold an object that is aware of its own position. The Xbox360 (a originally reported way back in May [slashdot.org]) has a camera that watches the user's actions using image mapping and similar software. Very different. This setup is just like the PS2's EyeCandy, which has been available for a long time.

I predict that XBox360's camera will not be heavily used by most users but will be viewed as a novelty. Will users be able to use the

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[hollismb]

I predict that XBox360's camera will not be heavily used by most users but will be viewed as a novelty. Will users be able to use their own photographs as avatars? It seems silly that something being billed in part as a media device would refuse to import photographs into games.

Yes. You can use the camera to not only create a custom gamer picture (that only your 'friends' see to cut down on abuse) but also some games allow you to map your face into them to use for the multiplayer component. Examples inc

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[grumbel]

I remember reading an article a while back that MS had a prototype Wiimote in 2000 or 2001 for PC. I don't think it was ever made for public use.

It was called Microsoft Freestyle Pro and it wasn't a prototype, but a product that you could buy everywhere.

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[aichpvee]

It only has tilt functionality, which is just half of the Wiimote's back of tricks. It's much more like the PSWiiStyle Pro controller for PS3 than the Wii's remote controller.

For the record the product you are referring to is the Microsoft Sidewinder Freestyle Pro [amazon.com].

Perhaps the GP is talking about the Microsoft XWand [microsoft.com], though I don't know that they were showing any of that stuff off as far back as 2000 or 2001. It also doesn't really work like the Wiimote, but does have some motion sensing capabilities.

Autodetecting hair color?

[Saige]

I have to say, I wonder how Digitech's face mapper would work regarding MY hair. How does it autodetect hair color? What would happen when it tries to do my face and hair, considering that I have pink and purple bangs, and green with blue tips over the rest of my head... I'm gonna have to see if I can find someone around here on another of the Xbox groups that has a demo to try out. That should be amusing to see. :)

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[caffeinatedOnline]

I think your hair would be amusing to see!

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[DarkHelmet]

You really shouldn't link to pictures of yourself on Slashdot... The pending marriage offers will probably chase you off the site, now.

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[Saige]

I work for Microsoft. Like ANYONE here is gonna want to do anything other than hate me. :)

Let's bastardize a movie!

[DarkHelmet]

Hmm... if she could be turned... she could become a powerful asset...

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[Saige]

LOL...

I work on Xbox Live. I am now involved with console gaming as a CAREER, not just a hobby. It's a dream job in many way. You think I'm gonna want to give it up? Only way that happens is if someone pays me to not work!

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[badboy_tw2002]

It doesn't do hair. Only faces. You add the hair from a preset list of models, or create it like you do with other games like Tiger Woods.

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[hollismb]

According to something I read, it does autodetect hair. Or hair color anyway.

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[AaronBrethorst]

dupe post! dupe post! and just to include the functional end of this thread "....clown hair!" Also, I need to point out that the lack of a "Shut up, Dorsey" in your sig is super-disappointing.

Could Wii-like control schemes work on Xbox 360 ..

[rmach]

In a word, no. This might work for Wii games with simple but not complex controls. This type of control is mainly sensitive to motion in a plane. The wii remote should give you full 3D motion as well as rotation control which would allow for much more complex control schemes while maintaining ease of input.

Re:Could Wii-like control schemes work on Xbox 360

[Rayonic]

> The wii remote should give you full 3D motion

From the article (and E3 2006) the Vision camera has two receptors, thus it does depth perception too. It's not just another Eyetoy.

Oblig Penny Arcade

[Kesch]

Over a year ago, Game and Tycho already predicted the outcome [penny-arcade.com] of an xbox camera.

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[Traiklin]

I wonder if they stick with the "Live camera during games" how many people will have unfair advantages when they get girls to flash their tits at people.