Microsoft Applies to Patent New, Realistic Avatar Technology

[Meado]

"Hey, I have a great idea! There's finally a medium that allows people from all over the world to have fun together, regardless of their age, sex, appearance, or lifestyle choices. Let's take all that away, but leave behind the hyperactive 13y/os constantly explaining every facet of how they are going to p0wn j00 and describing every little thing they do and yes I know you just got pounced by a hunter becasue you're right next to me and we already know you killed the Boomer because we heard the explosion and you're using a medpack now?!

 

[GamingAwesome1]

Which would you rather be represented as online?

1) An optimised version of what you would like to look like
2) An accurate version of what you actually look like in reality.
3) Something else entirely like an Orc, a Dragon, an Elf or some other craziness.

If you picked 2), it's a pretty good guess to say that you're lying out of your arse.

Microsoft can patent it all they want. My prediction is that this product bombs and bombs hard.

Stole the words right out of my mouth. People play games to become something that they are not in reality, not that I have to tell this to the people of The Escapist!

 

[Lord Krunk]

My main poblem is the graphics of today. Chances are they'll eff it up in the Uncanny Valley.

But I do see their point. No more hiding behind a lie (your avatar), and actually accepting yourself for who you are rather than who you would rather be. I just can't help but like this idea, shockingly enough.

Also, why does the Escapist ignore all my tips? I sent the exact same link you used in mine, 3 days ago.

 

[Amnestic]

My main poblem is the graphics of today. Chances are they'll eff it up in the Uncanny Valley.

But I do see their point. No more hiding behind a lie (your avatar), and actually accepting yourself for who you are rather than who you would rather be. I just can't help but like this idea, shockingly enough.

I've found a useful alternative to accept what you really look like utilising pre-existing technology. It's called a 'Mirror'. Alternatively, you could use windows, cutlery, still bodies of water and the metallic-coloured inside wrapper for [chocolate bar of your choice].

And photographs. Those too.

If I wanted to look at myself, I wouldn't head to a videogame to do so.

 

[Lord George]

I'm always trying to remake myself in games whenever I can due to some form of narcissistic self attraction so this sounds awesome, though I'm sure by the time it comes in I'll be middle aged and ugly. Unless I turn myself into a robot, to the georgemobile!

 

[ElephantGuts]

When I saw the title of this thread I came in here planning to react somehow along the lines of "Well considering how bad the current Xbox avatars are, for once there's no way Microsoft could fuck this up."

Oh how wrong I was. Why can't I be right for once? A PS3 is looking more and more appealing...

 

[AceDiamond]

My main poblem is the graphics of today. Chances are they'll eff it up in the Uncanny Valley.

But I do see their point. No more hiding behind a lie (your avatar), and actually accepting yourself for who you are rather than who you would rather be. I just can't help but like this idea, shockingly enough.

I've found a useful alternative to accept what you really look like utilising pre-existing technology. It's called a 'Mirror'. Alternatively, you could use windows, cutlery, still bodies of water and the metallic-coloured inside wrapper for [chocolate bar of your choice].

And photographs. Those too.

If I wanted to look at myself, I wouldn't head to a videogame to do so.

Pretty much my thoughts exactly, then again in games like Saints Row 2 I will invariably create someone with an appearance roughly matching my own for at least one playthrough, then go onto do sillier things like make The Sniper from TF2

 

[Xorghul]

"Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I' not so sure about the former."

- Albert Einstein

 

[Crimsane]

Terrible idea. That's about all there is to say about it. We don't game or use the internet to immerse ourselves in harsh reality, nor do we want our avatars to reflect said reality. This idea can fuck right off.

 

[Sparrow]

On the internet, nobody knows your a dog... right, Malgy?

 

[Lord Krunk]

My main poblem is the graphics of today. Chances are they'll eff it up in the Uncanny Valley.

But I do see their point. No more hiding behind a lie (your avatar), and actually accepting yourself for who you are rather than who you would rather be. I just can't help but like this idea, shockingly enough.

I've found a useful alternative to accept what you really look like utilising pre-existing technology. It's called a 'Mirror'. Alternatively, you could use windows, cutlery, still bodies of water and the metallic-coloured inside wrapper for [chocolate bar of your choice].

And photographs. Those too.

If I wanted to look at myself, I wouldn't head to a videogame to do so.

But avatars aren't how you look to yourself, it's how other people look at you.

We're in a day and age where more and more people meet through videogames. A friend of mine was actually born through a game of Zork. Essentially, if you're going to advertise yourself to others (as this patent correctly suggests, otherwise why would you have an avatar in the first place), then why not be honest about it?

Sure, most people aren't honest. But if there's even a shred of goodness in humanity, I like to believe it's there.

 

[Amnestic]

My main poblem is the graphics of today. Chances are they'll eff it up in the Uncanny Valley.

But I do see their point. No more hiding behind a lie (your avatar), and actually accepting yourself for who you are rather than who you would rather be. I just can't help but like this idea, shockingly enough.

I've found a useful alternative to accept what you really look like utilising pre-existing technology. It's called a 'Mirror'. Alternatively, you could use windows, cutlery, still bodies of water and the metallic-coloured inside wrapper for [chocolate bar of your choice].

And photographs. Those too.

If I wanted to look at myself, I wouldn't head to a videogame to do so.

But avatars aren't how you look to yourself, it's how other people look at you.

We're in a day and age where more and more people meet through videogames. A friend of mine was actually born through a game of Zork. Essentially, if you're going to advertise yourself to others (as this patent correctly suggests, otherwise why would you have an avatar in the first place), then why not be honest about it?

Sure, most people aren't honest. But if there's even a shred of goodness in humanity, I like to believe it's there.

This isn't goodness and honesty though from what I've garnered from the article - it's forced. What goodness is there in forced honesty?

People aren't honest because people are never honest. You are never completely open with people you meet on the internet (and if you are, you're a super special rare case who isn't worth talking about because you're such a miniscule percentage of the population). You will lie, exaggerate, omit certain truths to make people like you.

This is a solid truth not only on the internet but also in our daily lives. People want to be liked, even if it means telling a little fib here and there. Forcing honesty on them isn't any better than the initial lying in the first place. If it comes out with less net happiness, I would even go as far as to say it's worse.

The truth is not always better.

[sub]I fear I've moved a bit more into the abstract concept of Truth Vs. Lying rather than sticking to the avatars. Oh well.[/sub]

 

[ctrl-alt-postal]

Just thinking more on this....

So a photograph or video would be needed to map the face, yes? (unless they swipe a photo from the vehicle licence database....what a horrible thought...).

So if one was to wear a mask at avatar config time.....?

So, if this goes ahead, I propose we all wear Bill Gates masks as our avatars.

 

[ZippyDSMlee]

Basically instead of people using their own creativity to make a AV for themselfs, MS wants to do ti for them and make it so it dose not interfere with and world flawlessly with their new social networking schemes......

 

[Lord Krunk]

This isn't goodness and honesty though from what I've garnered from the article - it's forced. What goodness is there in forced honesty?

Give it a try, you might be surprised. It's better than forced lying, anyway.

People aren't honest because people are never honest. You are never completely open with people you meet on the internet (and if you are, you're a super special rare case who isn't worth talking about because you're such a miniscule percentage of the population). You will lie, exaggerate, omit certain truths to make people like you.

This is a solid truth not only on the internet but also in our daily lives. People want to be liked, even if it means telling a little fib here and there. Forcing honesty on them isn't any better than the initial lying in the first place. If it comes out with less net happiness, I would even go as far as to say it's worse.

Well call me a minority, you may have hit the nail on the head as to why I get heaps of PMs asking me how I exist without them noticing. I mean, look at my e-peen!

<---

Nah, I never had any insecurity to begin with, so I never stooped to lying about who I am. What you see is what you get.

Except for maybe my avatar. But that's all about my interests rather than my identity.

EDIT: We really are deviating from the point of the article. Care to agree to disagree?

 

[Amnestic]

EDIT: We really are deviating from the point of the article. Care to agree to disagree?

I think we'll have to. I'm fairly certain that nothing you say will sway me and it's quite possible the same applies to you.

 

[Lord Krunk]

EDIT: We really are deviating from the point of the article. Care to agree to disagree?

I think we'll have to. I'm fairly certain that nothing you say will sway me and it's quite possible the same applies to you.

That's the internet for ya.

 

[Eric the Orange]

Whoa, hold on there. Are you saying I'm not an orangutan.

 

[Razorback0z]

The only people who will benefit are hackers trying to pick up chicks.

I have no idea what to make of that?

Are you saying you can hack your way to picking up chix ? Or that hackers will have certain advantages in getting dates ? Im confused.

What I do know is... when your already a "stunningly handsome studmeister" like me, you dont need no steeenking avatars to help you get laid

 

[ctrl-alt-postal]

Whoa, hold on there. Are you saying I'm not an orangutan.

Until I see the "real" you, I cannot say as I'm qualified to judge that.

Which brings up another problem with this idea:

Can you imagine the shitfest than xbox live trolls will start when they can look at a realistic model of you?
This increases the potential of cyber-bullying just a little, no?