Microsoft has applied for a a patent dubbed “Avatars Individualized by Physical Characteristics,” meaning the company is considering introducing avatars that will look the gamer behind the controller.
Says the application, via Eurogamer: “An Avatar generator for a virtual environment reflects a physiological characteristic of the user, injecting a degree of reality into the capabilities or appearance. Thereby, many of the incentives of the real world are replicated in a virtual environment.Physiological data that reflect a degree of health of the real person can be linked to rewards of capabilities of a gaming Avatar, an amount of time budgeted to play, or a visible indication. Thereby, people are encouraged to exercise. Physiological data that reflect the health and perhaps also mood also improve social interaction in virtual environments. People seeking to meet and become acquainted with particular types of people are not thwarted by the artificiality of Avatars.”
The data can accessed from third-party health repositories, a physiological sensor, or a health care smart-card.
Result for: appearance
Toshiba Corp.’s first television to feature the Cell processor (also used with the PlayStation 3 console) is on track for its intended release this year. The product is to hit the Japanese market first in Q4 2009. The company first promised a Cell-based TV in 2007 and then showed off a prototype at CES 2008 in Las Vegas.
Toshiba said it uses the Cell processor to provide exceptionally high-quality video playback, picture upscaling and picture-in-picture (PIP) functionality capable to extend to dozens of channels simultaneously.
Masaaki Oosumi, President of Toshiba’s Digital Media Network Company, confirmed that the TV with market under the company’s Regza brand, and it will be the company’s flagship model. He likened the impact of the Cell telly’s appearance to the arrival of color television, but did admit it will be pricey.
The Cell Regza TV would have a native resolution of 3820×2160. Full specifications are expected to be released shortly.
Result for: appearance
The popular rapper Snoop Dogg has announced a deal with MTV that will bring the artist’s music to Rock Band.
Although no songs were specifically mentioned, Harmonix and MTV did note that there would be a “selection” of hits from Snoop’s back catalog.
The new deal marks the third time Snoop Dogg will appear in a video game following his appearance as a fighter in Def Jam Fight for NY and a cameo as himself in True Crime: Streets of LA.
Additionally, MTV will distribute Snoop’s next album, “Malice in Wonderland” and will be host to his new variety show entitled “Dogg After Dark.”
