610°

IllumiRoom Projects Images Beyond Your TV for an Immersive Gaming Experience

IllumiRoom is a proof-of-concept Microsoft Research project designed to push the boundary of living room immersive entertainment by blending our virtual and physical worlds with projected visualizations. The effects in the video are rendered in real time and are captured live -- not special effects added in post processing.

Old McGroin4125d ago

My first thought when I saw this video was "Holy Crap!". But I think we've all been stung by concept videos in the past so gonna reserve judgement. Still, the idea has a lot of potential.

4125d ago Replies(23)
Outside_ofthe_Box4125d ago

As of right now it's definitely a very impressive concept. Hopefully they'll be able to pull it off. The next step in increasing immersion.

EddieNX 4125d ago

But I thought all hardcore gamers liked to sit down with a controller with no ''gimmiks'' when they got home from work ?

They all change their tune - This thing is like the biggest gimmik ever. It may be fun who knows..

Tr10wn4125d ago

it look fun to me and i got the perfect wall for this.

-Alpha4125d ago (Edited 4125d ago )

Thought this was funny:

http://i998.photobucket.com...

The next step.

Outside_ofthe_Box4125d ago (Edited 4125d ago )

@Kingofwiiu

Personally I don't see this as any more of a "gimmick" than installing surround sound speakers in your living room. And this can be applied to hardcore games no problem unlike motion controls which we have yet to see a GREAT hardcore game that only uses motion controls. Hopefully next gen we'll finally see one.

I also see it(along with motion controls) as the foundation for technology of the future. This quote from another article sums up my feelings about it pretty well:

http://n4g.com/news/1150374...

@Alpha

lol

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 4125d ago
fr0sty4125d ago

OK, for the first time, Microsoft, you've shown me a way to use kinect that I like. I do professional video projection mapping for a living, so to see it and video gaming seamlessly integrate like this is actually really cool. As others have said, however, I'll reserve judgment until I can see this thing in use. I also would like to see more innovative uses other than a limited "wider screen". My second concern would be cost vs. brightness. A good bright projector doesn't come cheap. Toss in a Kinect and an Xbox on top of that... and I can see where these rumors of having to sign up for 2 year service plans of Xbox live to afford the console come from. That doesn't even take the kinect glasses into consideration either.

I'd rather just have VR, but to it's defense it does enable more immersion without the headgear.

doogiebear4124d ago

U have any idea's as to how this can breathe fresh air into the gaming scene? I mean: how can this product introduce new ways of playing games (other than a mere gimmick of an extended width of the tv screen's parameters)

kneon4125d ago (Edited 4125d ago )

Until we aLl start gaming in uncluttered, light colored rooms then this sort of thing is just going to add useless gimicky effects to the game.

They can't project anything useful off the screen because there is no guarantee that it will be visible. If there is a door or window or some dark furniture you won't see the image well enough to be useful.

Wigriff4125d ago

What you are saying, concerning the room dedicated specifically for gaming, doesn't seem viable either. First off, someone would have to own a house with a spare room that they could dedicate for gaming. Then you would have to probably limit seating to 1 chair or small sofa for the gamer. What else would you be able to have in there? Where would drinks, snacks, or even your cellphone sit?

I think the solution to the problem would end up being better spacial detection so that the device CAN properly adjust to your surroundings, instead of expecting the gamer to adapt their surroundings to the device. Regardless, this sort of innovation probably won't be fully realized anytime soon.

Maybe some real creative companies could figure out how to use this current innovation to do some spectacular and unexpected things, though. Or... maybe it will just end up being a novelty, like you suspect. *shrug*

kneon4125d ago

I didn't mean to imply this was a viable solution, it's not at all viable. Ideally you would need no furniture, windows or doors anywhere forward of where you are sitting and have white or very light colored walls.

As for adapting to the room that could be done in some cases but you could still never guarantee that what needs to be displayed can be displayed properly. So because of this it's only extra special effects that are worth doing with this tech.

Abdou234125d ago

The first( Project Natal ) concept videos come to mind instantly when watching this, but for this idea to work best the area around the TV should be blank white wall.

Games4M - Rob4125d ago

That was exactly what I thought, and we all know what a crock of bullshit that turned out to be.

majiebeast4125d ago

More smoke and mirrors by microsoft all their concept video's are fake remember the natal 1 yeah same as this.

chrispseuphoria4124d ago

Yeah, talking to characters within games would have been cool. Think of the Milo demo but within a world like Skyrim or Fallout. That would be insanely immersive - much more than this projection technology, I can tell you.

wishingW3L4124d ago (Edited 4124d ago )

I was going to write a similar comment because seriously why is that people are so naive all the time as to fall for these kind of stuff? You can bet that IllumiRoom will be nothing like this vid and most of it looks totally fake.

Anon19744125d ago

That looks really cool. I'd setup a cheap projector with a TV for this. Looks perfect for a basement, den setup without a lot of competing light.

Megaton4125d ago

My first thought was of the kid uploading his skateboard, or Milo.

chukamachine4125d ago

Are you kidding?

Potential to do what. Dance in your frontroom.

Just put up a discolight, another awful gimmick.

OMFG Microsoft are becoming Nintendo.

miDnIghtEr20C_SfF4125d ago

this thing looks like it could be really awesome if it works like that. i'd love to play COD, BF, Halo, Gears, Madden, 2K Basketball, Batman and all the rest in those modes. that's just awesome looking. love the time we're living in.

Oh_Yeah4125d ago (Edited 4125d ago )

This is going to cause seizures on an epidemic level..That was my first thought.

monkpunk14125d ago

OMG, it's like having an epileptic fit whilst holding flashlights in your living room! Either that or it will bring on more seizures!

4124d ago
mcstorm4124d ago

I really do wish the Fan boys ect would just give it a rest. This Is this site full of kids? Sony has an idea and MS has an idea get over it. Everyone has there own vision for products that are the same.

This looks a really good idea and if MS can pull it off with there next gen console it would be impressive but I don't see it being done for next gen consoles.

I said when Kinect came out that this was just the start of what the device can do and ech version that comes out will offer more and more and I think over the next 10 years we will see some good changes in the device.

Looks a good idea by MS and will be interesting to see where it goes.

Really like a lot of stuff Microsoft are doing in terms of hardware and software. MS now need to get there products pushed onto the public to get there ideas selling.

Jaces4124d ago (Edited 4124d ago )

Seems neat but I found myself being constantly distracted by the surrounding projections taking place, don't know if I'd be able to concentrate on the game when I have stars whizzing by my head.

I don't know though, it's only a concept vid so it's hard to judge exactly what it'll be like. Cool idea though.

TekoIie4124d ago

Depends on how its incorporated to be honest.

I mean wouldnt it be badass if your playing dead space and walking down a corridor. A light is shining behind you and a necromorph walks in fronnt of that life and and IllumiRoom will display the shadow!!! That IMO would be freaking terrifying seeing a shadow in the room and for minute thinking "dafuq's that?"... And insanity ensues!

Thats a way it could be incorporated well :)

morkendo234124d ago (Edited 4124d ago )

Is microsoft serious???? with this crap. projected images??? if they think for one minute this will beat ps4 offering they mise well pick up their final check now. thought this thing had excitement to intice me to the DARK SIDE of the force. jadi knight will reign supreme (ps4)

4124d ago
3-4-54124d ago

be cautious....

Remember all the Cool commericials in the 90's and how when you got the Toy or Game it was nothing like in the commercial.

This could be like that.

+ Show (17) more repliesLast reply 4124d ago
Cocozero4125d ago

Xbox 720 will certainly be something special

pandaboy4125d ago

yep, RIP ps4 unfortunately.

DEATHSTROKE-cro-4125d ago

yeah, maybe it will have more than 3 games and not just Halo, Gears and Forza XD

at least I know Guerrilla Games (Killzone), Sucker Punch (inFamous), Media Molecule (LBP), Santa Monica (GOW) are having 2 teams and one of them is making new IP. and on top of that, we, PS4 owners, will get sequels to already great games on PS3.

000014125d ago (Edited 4125d ago )

cool idea non the less, this is the concept i believe for the kinect and Augmented Reality glasses that were in those leaked xbox720 documents discussed with having plans for this tech to launch in 2014.

pixelsword4125d ago (Edited 4125d ago )

I thought we hated wearing glasses... ;)

At any rate, it looks nice to play; a 3d type of thing I guess.

000014125d ago

it may have changed since you notice neither one of the demo actor/actress wore glasses lol, who knows

konnerbllb4125d ago

Projector behind the player

pixelsword4125d ago (Edited 4125d ago )

Yeah, I noticed them not wearing glasses; I also noticed they didn't show exactly where that image is coming from, or where the console was, either :D

We're assuming it's a projector when they didn't show a projector or an image coming from the back. Is the projector a part of the console, or kinect, or an independent part from both? How will the image carry over to the projector while the disc is in the console?

You have to assume the scanner is at least on your face (impressive if it is), and at the most behind you to scan in front of you, so does kinect now have to be in the back? How does the projector get the image from the xbox? will there be lag between the two like kinect's lag?

It's just that concept and final product may have many differences, so I'm not writing off the glasses or projected image as of yet.

Rainstorm814125d ago

A projector to augment your surroundings?? My first question would be cost, this seems like it would be at least the price of Kinect ifself

3GenGames4125d ago (Edited 4125d ago )

Projector bulbs are the price of Kinect it's self, you can expect this to be a pretty expensive add-on.

Double_Oh_Snap4125d ago

Very cool, and probably a pretty penny as well.

Show all comments (138)
260°

Microsoft’s Surface and Xbox hardware revenues take a big hit in Q3

Microsoft just posted the third quarter of its 2024 fiscal financial results. The software maker made $61.9 billion in revenue and a net income of $21.9 billion during Q3. Revenue is up 17 percent, and net income has increased by 20 percent.

Read Full Story >>
theverge.com
darthv7223h ago

Xbox content + services up 62% while hardware down 31%... seems about right with the way they tout you don't need the hardware to play. People can play on their phones or smart tv or other means. I don't hardly play on my consoles directly since getting devices like the logitech g-cloud and ps portal. Which is to also say I have been playing more digital than physical because of these devices.

solideagle10h ago

you should apply in MS PR team buddy, I think you will do a great job in my humble opinion :)

Sonic18818h ago

I thought darthv72 and Obscure_Observer already work for Microsoft 🤔

dveio7h ago

MS: "Xbox services and content without AB up 1%, with AB up 62%. Hardware down 31%. In total a loss of 350 mill."

darthv72: "Seems about right."

MS: "Excuse m ..."

darthv72: "I don't hardly play on my consoles directly."

MS:

Lightning773h ago

What he said was facts. How he plays games is no concern of you. Don't get too mad about it.

Cacabunga10h ago

I can tell people like you are an absolute minority..

If service is up means their fans and fanboys accepted this model and subscribed to it. The near future you will see a big decline because the service is saturated.

shinoff21839h ago

But that's been ms for years. When things aren't going their way they try to change the way things are said. For instance console sales are down, they stop telling how many sold instead telling us how many hours spent in halo or headshots. So it makes sense console sales down just say people are playing on more devices then previous. What they won't say is how many xbox players jumped ship to ps5.

Cacabunga8h ago

Hardware sales are so bad that Sony and Nintendo are blowing the sales off the water with their hardware.

If Xbox are losers, others aren’t..
Xbox already tried everything with Xbox live then subscriptions went down so much that they had to find something else. Their fans subscribed then reached saturation rather quickly.

Hardware and exclusive games is where it’s at! Keep gamers excited, announce decent software and people will support you

itsmebryan4h ago

@shin
Well keep it simple Sony 's operating income is down 26% and Microsoft's is up 32%. No MS spin there, just facts. 😉
Cheers

romulus233h ago

Odd that a company that touts you dont need the hardware to play is already touting another console in the works.

darthv722h ago

They are not reliant on the HW but still want to maintain a presence (no matter how small) is a good thing. It shows commitment to the craft. It reminds me of SNK and how they made games for their own hardware (Neo Geo) while also making them for others because they knew there was a market to do so. They knew they would sell more to others but also sell to their own niche fan base.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 2h ago
purple10113h ago

Xbox hardware revenue tanks to lowest point of Xbox Series generation

Profchaos12h ago

I'm not surprised surface is struggling they aren't relevant anymore

DOMination-2h ago

In the last two years they've started exiting the consumer market altogether. All of the newest Surface products are business models only. They can't seem to work out what they want to do with it.

XBManiac11h ago

Too expensive hardware when others offer the same or more for less? Good work, Green Team.

SimpleDad11h ago(Edited 11h ago)

"Despite some early successes for Xbox games on rival platforms, Xbox hardware is down by a massive 31 percent this quarter."
"Without Activision Blizzard, Microsoft’s overall gaming revenue would have actually declined this quarter."
"Xbox content and services would have only been up a single percent without Activision Blizzard..."
"It looks like next quarter is going to be a similar story for gaming at Microsoft, too."

That is crazy... so A/B/K is carrying the whole Xbox gaming.
Oh and Microsoft will be fine. Windows, Office and Cloud are growing with each pc purchase.

purple10111h ago

Activision: "we gonna need a bigger rucksack/backpack please"

Microsoft: "why's that"

Activision: "to carry yo' weak ass'

Profchaos10h ago(Edited 10h ago)

Top brass have also wanted to start seeing returns on the 100 billion they have put into various Xbox related moves so seeing more multiplatform games is highly likely especially from abk

It's basically saying that PlayStation is the reason Xbox is afloat right now thinks to Ps5 versions of COD

Kornholic9h ago

So basically PS and PC gamers' money is keeping Xbox on life support.

MrDead2h ago

The only growth MS will get out of the console industry is if it supports it's rivals platforms. Xbox is a pointless machine now. I can see them on a big push for live next, and they won't give up on trying to buy Steam.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 2h ago
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300°

Microsoft Seemingly Closes Bethesda France

As part of its plans to cut 1,900 jobs, Microsoft has reportedly shut down operations at Bethesda France, letting go roughly 15 people

Read Full Story >>
insider-gaming.com
Hereandthere1d 20h ago

Microsoft should have left them stay 3rd party

GamerRN1d 17h ago

If they are let go, they can be whatever they want. They ARE 3rd party now... 🤦

Barlos1d 15h ago

Yeah, they're also jobless.

GamerRN1d 8h ago

They can form a company if they want, they are just as jobless as if "Microsoft had left them as 3rd party".

peppeaccardo1d 10h ago

"MIcrosoft leaves Bethesda do what they know how to do best" ... close! Oh the irony ....
(Citation from a week old article)

ChasterMies1d 6h ago

I think Microsoft and other game publishers are letting people go because they think ai will replace them. Doesn’t matter how much profit they make. They were always going to be let go.

PassNextquestion1d 20h ago (Edited 1d 19h ago )

Bethesda France was made up of roughly 15 people... they couldn't of being doing much

Bethesda France mainly did publishing and marketing within the region

blacktiger1d 17h ago

that's a shame for you to say that, i'm sure Elite loves hearing what you just said.

Mr Logic1d 4h ago

What a stupid thing to say. The elites give 0 fucks what we say on an obscure website in the comments section.

Crows901d 3h ago

You can always reach out and give them jobs at your company man. Don't wait

blacktiger30m ago

You own nothing snd be happy. I'm sure you heard that

Profchaos1d 19h ago (Edited 1d 19h ago )

Bethesda France focused on publishing and marketing in the region. And 15 people lost their jobs as part of the closure.

I wonder if this is part of Microsoft's strategy to abandoned physical media or possibly gamepass advertising makes their roles redundant you don't need to market a game as hard when the majority of players get the game as part of a sub which already promoted upcoming games

Tacoboto1d 19h ago

It's France too, there's a high likelihood only 1-2 people on the team even had an Xbox.

Profchaos1d 19h ago

Possibly guven all the leaks we know the Xbox brand is really struggling in the region.

Yi-Long1d 16h ago

Well, if your consoles and games are barely found in any stores any more, of course you're gonna struggle finding consumers ...

XiNatsuDragnel1d 18h ago

Tbh Microsoft I think Bethesda being 3rd party same with Activision would probably more competitive than thus scenario imo

Profchaos1d 16h ago (Edited 1d 16h ago )

I think it would have been better for all parties really especially gamers

TheColbertinator1d 17h ago

The recently purchased Activision French offices might take over all the licensing and marketing for Microsoft in France from now on.

Show all comments (23)
280°

Xbox's Preservation Step Sets A Much-Needed Example, Especially For Nintendo

Hanzla from eXputer inquires: "If Xbox can care about preserving its games and legacy, what exactly is wrong with Nintendo, trying to kill game preservation single-handedly?"

purple10113d ago

Ahh yes the good old game preservation of saving all your games to a removable hhd on the Xbox 360, taking it round your mates house, setting up multiple tvs to
Be met with “save data corrupted, please re download”

Or how about removing 360 games
From the store
, download them now or else, and, better hope to god that save data doesn’t corrupt, or it’s lost for ever

Nice one ☝️

Zeref12d ago

It's better than what Nintendo and Playstation is doing. It might not be perfect but at least they are TRYING. Unlike the others.

DarXyde12d ago

Trying? Take off the blinders for a moment, mate.

1. A failure to preserve games is just that: a failure to preserve games. Don't try to sugarcoat it: NO ONE is doing it properly. Better than awful is nothing to write home about.

2. At the time of this comment, isn't it the case that you need an internet connection to play Xbox games even if you buy physical discs that are hardly in circulation anymore? I don't have a Series X and I can't verify, but I think that is correct. I'm fairly certain you can at least play PS5 games at version 1.0 (not much of a win really when many games require day one patches). I think Microsoft's all digital, licensing approach is by far more aggressive than anyone else's. They really try to push you to game pass where you lose your entire library by umm.... Skipping a month of payments.

I don't think anyone is doing it right whatsoever. Don't get me started on Nintendo, who goes after anyone looking to preserve their games better than they ever would with extreme litigation.

Don't be a simp for any of these companies. Get it together.

PhillyDonJawn12d ago (Edited 12d ago )

@DarX never speak on Xbox again. You lost all credibility with your internet connection comment. Smh you have 0 clue and misinformed yet speaking on something you don't no squat about.

Einhander197212d ago

What has Sony done exactly? You guys keep deflecting to Sony but I am not actually seeing any results, and ai am certain nothing that you can come up with even comes close to what Microsoft has done and what they have tried and failed to do, like tie all your disks to your account on xbone.

Microsoft removed their whole indie section when they moved to the xbone because they were going to only allow games on the service that came from a publisher, id@xbox started after xbone launched and it only exists because Sony embraced indie and Microsoft was forced to cancel their plans and reverse course.

And every single game that was part of games for windows live including disk games (I have gta 4 on disk that won't work) so hundreds of games that use that DRM no longer work unless the company themselves patched it out which of course very few did.

MrBaskerville12d ago

Not trying. Tried. they killed of the backcomp program years ago. They set something up again, but sounds like it's more of an attempt to save the current library on whatever they are planning next. With luck they save everything and more, but let's see. I could see them killing off parts of the OG xbox and 360 libraries. Can't imagine that they would allow us to play Forza 5-7 in the future.

With that said, I do like what they've done and really wish they could have done more.

shinoff218311d ago

Zeref

So killing off physical media is trying what exactly. Ms don't really give a fk if you think they do your kidding yourself.

Profchaos11d ago

They are not trying this team is established for forward compatability the team is. It interested in preserving Xbox or 360 games.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 11d ago
isarai12d ago

Is that why Hellblade 2 is digital only?

Zeref12d ago

Just because it's digital only doesn't mean you can't preserve it. Just put it on an external and you have the exact same functionality of what a disc does.

MrNinosan12d ago

Guess you're trolling, but if you actually think that's how it works, I'd recommend buying some braincells.

mkis00711d ago (Edited 11d ago )

Volitile vs nonvolitile data. A disc will not corrupt either. A drive can be corrupted.

Einhander197212d ago

This is just a scammy PR move to distract from the fact they are going digital only and trying to push streaming and subscriptions only.

No gaming company has pushed harder to remove ownership than Microsoft.

Without discs there is no preservation, preservation can't be done by the rights holders it can only be done by the consumers, anything else is a lie.

12d ago Replies(3)
Einhander197212d ago

Anyone remember xblig which Microsoft removed their whole 360 indie section removing hundreds of games from people?

12d ago
12d ago
Zeref12d ago

Do you know you can put your games on an external and preserve them that way? There are no benefits to discs. ZERO. Idk why some of you are still obsessed with them.

DarXyde12d ago

Because games like Persona 5 exist. It's STILL V1.00. On Playstation, that's a win because 1.00 is installed on the disc—no need to download anything.

If a game does not require any updates, it's all on the disc.

Extremely low bar in the modern era, of course. It's not much of a win by any stretch.

But for now, physical media does have a purpose, at least on Playstation.

Einhander197212d ago

That is factually not how game licensing works, try plugging your hard drive into someone else xbox, It's not going to work, and it won't work if the licensing servers ever go down.

Einhander197212d ago

Anyone remember games for windows live.

I have around a dozen games, some on Steam itself that will not work because Microsoft shut off the licensing servers.

BehindTheRows12d ago (Edited 12d ago )

I do. I STILL have games (Gears of War being the big one) I cannot access because Games for Windows LIVE is total garbage and no one has held Microsoft accountable.

Zeref12d ago (Edited 12d ago )

You don't have an Xbox apparently. Because you can 100 percent plug in your external and play games from it on any Xbox console lol. You just have to be logged in to prove ownership.

Chevalier12d ago

"You don't have an Xbox apparently. Because you can 100 percent plug in your external and play games from it on any Xbox console lol. You just have to be logged in to prove ownership."

Damn how many times do people got to explain your idiocy to you? You can take a copy of Persona 5 like someone used as an example and play that game on ANY console WITHOUT logging in which means I can lend the game to a friend without internet and they can play my game. Can you lend your hard drive to anyone without logging in for them to play? NOPE. That is a huge difference and if you think otherwise then sorry you're an idiot.

Tacoboto12d ago

"No gaming company has pushed harder to remove ownership than Microsoft."

Ubisoft is literally erasing games people bought from their libraries... My PS1-3 discs are useless on modern hardware. Nintendo's re-published and resold almost their entire Wii U library, and the eShop is completely dead with no BC mechanism in the Switch software. Microsoft publishes everything they make today day one on Steam and Xbox/Windows. Sony only brings to PC the titles they think you might want some years later and Nintendo won't even design a functional long-lasting joystick.

You're absolutely trolling and not serious if you think Microsoft today is the worst offender.

shinoff218311d ago

Yay steam

Not everyone fks with computers though. The disc is still the best way as a console player. Period.

Tacoboto11d ago

How do Sony and Nintendo feel about these discs from 2001-2013?

Don't be stupid, you know Xbox is the best at this today.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 11d ago
Hofstaderman12d ago

Nobody wants this. Sales or the lack of it in the case of XBOX is very telling. I wonder how the adorably all digital series X will fare. Adorably dismal perhaps?

crazyCoconuts12d ago

Only time will tell, but for from someone like me suspecting that Xbox is trying to gracefully exit the console market, that "forward compatibility" team is trying to get Xbox games playing on Windows PCs. I mean, it's nice that they're not planning on exiting with a "enjoy your games while the hardware still works" message, so that's nice. They still have a brand to protect via Microsoft so probably feel obligated to have a better exit strategy.

Xeofate12d ago (Edited 12d ago )

That is not their plan, their plan is to transfer users accounts to the cloud.

Phil Spencer himself said as much a few months back, plans could have changed but I think people are reading way too much into one statement where Phil said he would allow Epic on xbox because he wants to be able to sell xbox games directly on other platforms. Aka, instead of selling Sea of Thives through PSN he wants to have an xbox store to sell his games on PlayStation without giving PlayStation any money.

Again, it's extremely unlikely that Phil plans to put PC on xbox and licensing would prevent them from just giving out other publishers games purchased on xbox copies of thier games on PC, Microsoft does not own their games.

crazyCoconuts11d ago

The thing that doesn't align with the cloud strategy is the giving up on exclusives. You'd still need strong exclusives for cloud streaming - it's still a "platform" , just with a lower upfront hardware investment. I feel like they've learned what PS learned with PSNow long ago. We're not ready to stream games and it's only gonna lose them money to try at this point

FinalFantasyFanatic11d ago

I would love that, I'd buy up some of the Xbox games if they could run on PC, like the Rare Replay, Lost Odyssey and Dead or Alive Ultimate, probably a pipe dream though.

Show all comments (43)