440°

Microsoft patents VR mat, motion controller, and stylus possibly for Xbox

According to a few patents that appeared online — which were first spotted by Twitter user WalkingCat — it seems like a stylus, VR boundary mat, and motion controller are in the works.

Read Full Story >>
windowscentral.com
Obscure_Observer1665d ago

Microsoft should leave VR to Sony.

Ricegum1664d ago

And Nintendo. And Oculus. And HTC & Valve.

1664d ago
RangerWalk2671664d ago

NOOOO. Microsoft is welcome to the space. Because they are more open to allowing 3rd party companies to use their products with Xbox. Sony is like Apple in the sense that they want EVERY penny they can get. Plus, competition is healthy for the consumer.

rainslacker1664d ago (Edited 1664d ago )

Wow....I actually agree with you. But would extend it to anyone with an interest in bringing VR to the market.

Although I'd say that if they have some good ideas, they should patent them, as that's what companies who come up with ideas do. Then if its a good idea, they can still profit off it.

CaptainCook1664d ago

Microsoft already has a VR headset. It's called "Windows Mixed Reality". They've created the software.

Pickledpepper1664d ago (Edited 1664d ago )

Why?
@obscure

timotim1664d ago (Edited 1664d ago )

Microsoft is already in VR. They have built an entire platform to support it. They just having added it to their consoles yet.

https://www.microsoft.com/e...

UltraNova1664d ago (Edited 1664d ago )

Agreed somewhat since they already left VR to Sony on console for years now. That said, MS should enter the console VR scene at some point, to inject new DNA and bring some healthy competition.

DerfDerf1663d ago

Whe? The PSVue is low budget VR garbage compared to everything else on the market.

1663d ago
Profchaos1663d ago

No the more VR is adopted into the mainstream the more money will get out into developing games which benifits all headset owners

+ Show (9) more repliesLast reply 1663d ago
1664d ago Replies(1)
iplay1up21665d ago

Nice! Can't wait for next gen. Including Switch! That will be awhile though.

indysurfn1663d ago

A LOT of people are in for a surprise once again when it comes to Nintendo. Just read the Nvidia financial report and use deductive reasoning as to which company Nvidia is talking about when it comes to next gen console revenue.

Donnie811663d ago

There’s only one company currently using Nvidia chips so it’s not that hard at all to figure out who they would be talking about

iplay1up21663d ago (Edited 1663d ago )

I just read the breakdown. It isn't the Switch that is losing them potential sales, its the PC market, according to the breakdown. Switch is still selling well, with Switch lite not selling as many at the launch. It still sold 250,000 that was back in Sept 27th. This Holiday season will tell where Switch is headed. This should be its last strong Holiday, as its getting older now. Switch 2 will probably launch in p in November 2021. At least I hope so. It should be capable of 4K!

IRetrouk1665d ago

Nice!! The more companies that invest in vr the better, will help with adoption, sales and public perception plus the more devs working on vr the better the games will get.

mesojovo1665d ago ShowReplies(2)
ApocalypseShadow1665d ago

Saw this a couple of hours ago. It's very interesting. Not sure how the mat works but any way to improve locomotion besides analog sticks is only a good thing . And, having a stylus that would allow you to draw with pin point accuracy can be beneficial.

Do it Microsoft. We need more competition in the console space to elevate the amount of one-upmanship that will make VR better overall.

Your turn Nintendo. Let's see some more patents hopefully leading to more hardware. Said this yesterday. Microsoft needs to get their hands dirty making their own hardware and from this patent, there's a possibility that this will be the case.

rainslacker1664d ago

These motion things are always interesting, but they end up taking up so much room in a real world living room setting. Even if they have a small footprint, there is not easy way to store them, and they always take more set up than I feel is suitable for easy and quick play.

The headset itself will probably end up becoming easy enough to throw on, but everything else is just extra set up.

sprinterboy1664d ago

My thoughts exactly, the patent image has the mat all spread out across the living room? That ain't gonna work with kids or the wife wanting to relax and do other things in the living room.
Plus isn't that a massive trip hazzard with a vr headset on?

ApocalypseShadow1664d ago (Edited 1664d ago )

Their best bet is a new mixed reality headset version 2 like Hololens got. They have the tech and let others build off that template. Just make one themselves.

Make it light. Make it comfortable. Make it wireless that lasts at least 3-4 hours without the optional plug in long wire.

Basically, if developers on PC can make their games compatible with Windows like they did from Vive or Oculus, they can easily port to Scarlett and meet certification.

That would give them an advantage at matching PSVR and surpassing it in other areas by having a shared PC/Xbox ecosystem. With also, better tracking and setup.

They just need to do it. Then, the war begins making VR better.

DJStotty1664d ago

The mat could always be disguised as a kind of living room rug/mat combo, so no need to setup/takedown.

New tech is always interesting

Profchaos1663d ago (Edited 1663d ago )

I can easily store my psvr and accessories they are not that big and seperate cleanly from the base station for storage.

The mat however cool it is will be a nightmare to store unless it can somehow go underneath a living room mat without being obvious. I think it would be better to use more headset mounted room space tracking like the occulus quest does which maps out a play space including walls, stairs and furniture

Necr0philiac1663d ago

@DJStotty and Profchaos
I'm sure a mat of this size we be able to be folded or rolled up. I could be wrong though

rainslacker1663d ago

@Apocolypse

Sure. There are lots of options. No one solution is going to be perfect for everyone. At the same time though, every time a patent comes along, there is this furor about how it's definitely going to be a thing, and more often than not, things aren't things that ever see the light of day.

@DJ

Never said it wasn't interesting, but consider the make up of the average living room. Decor isn't something easily disguised without lots of options to personalize it, because decor is always personalized. While that's possible, that adds to the cost of something that supposedly needs to be within the budget of the mainstream to ever become something that is utilized by devs.

@Prof

I have no problem with the headset myself, other than the camera wire being too short for where I keep my electronics, and the working distance from where it works with games being too small to be useful for where I sit when playing games. Sometimes, this is dependent on the game, and despite motions still be registered, I get the damn "Out of play area" box which you can't remove. Otherwise, yeah, it's easy enough for me to store and get out the headset itself, but I do have to fuss around setting up the camera on a tripod in the middle of the room, and turning my PS4 around to make the camera cable reach. A mat would require me moving more furniture out of the way, and really setting things up, although, in my set up, I could actually not be playing in front of the TV, so it could be more convienant. My wife would certainly have something to say about leaving it out all the time though. Even if I had a game room like I used to, I wouldn't want ot leave it laying on the floor all the time.

Unfortunately, with things like this, there are so many situations within the real world environment that have to be considered, and most companies never bother to consider anything more than people will adjust everything around their products, instead of making their products around people's own needs.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 1663d ago
Neonridr1664d ago

the mat is designed to basically lay out your floor space. Say it's an 8' x 8' mat, then you know when you are reaching the boundaries of your play space.

Show all comments (72)
290°

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
darthv721d 16h 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.

solideagle1d 3h ago

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

Sonic18811d ago

I thought darthv72 and Obscure_Observer already work for Microsoft 🤔

dveio1d 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:

Lightning7719h ago

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

Cacabunga1d 2h 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.

darthv7212h ago

to you it may seem like the minority... but your bubble is shrinking because more and more are following suit. convenience is a hell of a drug and its also why physical sales only amount to 30% of overall game sales. times are changing, you either get with them or you get left behind.

neutralgamer19927h ago

Darth

30% physical sales: yet Phil and xbox division are in a rush go give up on that 30%. they don't have any right to give up any piece of the pie since the control such a little of the pie to begin with

also, the market is clearly speaking that the model Xbox is pushing isn't working right now the keyword being right now. you are right about freedom to play anywhere so i hope they put their games on steam

shinoff21831d 1h 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.

Cacabunga1d 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

itsmebryan20h 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

S2Killinit13h ago

MS is after diminishing consoles as a medium. They want to destroy this market because they couldnt win. MS’s vision is to dissolve console gaming.

romulus2319h ago

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

darthv7219h 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.

TheEroica13h ago(Edited 13h ago)

Perfectly reasonable post down voted by insecure corporation friendly folk.... But not gamers. Real gamer want accessibility and ease of acquisition for all.... Company shills are the only ones still telling us that hardware locking people from games is good for us.

Chevalier7h ago

@Darth

You should stop parroting metrics like an idiot without context.

"Xbox content and services revenue grew 62% in Q3 from a year earlier, “driven by 61 points of net impact” from the purchase of the third-party video game giant, Microsoft said."

61 of the 62% was from their merger so net increase is ONLY 1%

https://www.mesaonline.org/...

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 7h ago
purple1011d 5h ago

Xbox hardware revenue tanks to lowest point of Xbox Series generation

Profchaos1d 5h ago

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

DOMination-18h 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.

XBManiac1d 4h ago

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

SimpleDad1d 4h ago (Edited 1d 4h 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.

purple1011d 3h ago

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

Microsoft: "why's that"

Activision: "to carry yo' weak ass'

Profchaos1d 3h ago (Edited 1d 3h 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

Kornholic1d 1h ago

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

MrDead19h 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 19h ago
Show all comments (45)
80°

Razer Kishi Ultra Review - Remote Play and Mobile Gaming Goes XL

PSLS writes: I have traveled across the country using the Razer Kishi Ultra in airports and hotels for both PlayStation Remote Play and mobile gaming in general, and I am thoroughly impressed.

Read Full Story >>
playstationlifestyle.net
150°

Sony Patents To Prevent You From In-Game Harassment By Reading Your Emotions

A new patent recently published by Sony wants to gather biometric data of gamers to track whether one is being harassed using AI tools.

Profchaos2d ago (Edited 2d ago )

I hope this is one of those patents that never comes to fruition.

I already dislike the fact you can pay a significant amount for a online service buy associated games and content on said service and get banned from that service over potentially a misunderstanding the bans are already handed out for flimsy reasons

I'd rather see money invested in a ban that simply removes the offensive players ability to communicate with unknown players allow them to continue party chats with friends but not with Joe blow on cod.

exputers2d ago

Agreed. Blizzard recently banned a college Overwatch 2 player who's dependent for saying "shit." Pretty harsh.

Profchaos1d 10h ago (Edited 1d 10h ago )

How rediculas really. You can't say a word that's allowed in most PG films and prime time TV but the game is based around killing the enemy team using guns, explosives etc.

It's just backwards.

just_looken1d 12h ago

What your talking about is called block list

In 2006 a spaceship dropped of the playstation 3/xbox 360 i say that that generation was the last great gen with game functions/tech that has yet to comeback

Anyhow the playstation 3 if you block listed a id they could not talk to you in chatroom with either text or voice. But that was pre mind fucked 2018 when people were more human than sheep.

But hey gta 6 is coming out billion dollar budget without a single player custom character creator and without singeplayer coop off/online something saints row 1-3 had on the xbox 360.

z2g1d 21h ago

Take my social security and bank account numbers too! Here’s a picture of my wife and our address.

phoenixwing1d 21h ago

Cmon where's the pictures of your children. Don't hold out on them.

H91d 21h ago

At this rate I feel Sony will eventually sell a room to play games in it where they can monitor your every breath

jambola1d 17h ago

I genuinely get a bit worried sometimes when a friend says something that could be offensive In a party
Because I have no trouble believing some bans would happen when in a private party for saying something wrong

SegaSaturn6691d 20h ago

I want them to censor erotic content by measuring my groin temperature so i dont get too distracted while playing black ops 2.

Popsicle1d 20h ago

Terrible idea. Not only do I not consent to providing my biometric data, the potential for mishandling biometric data is almost a certainty. Positive stress and negative stress can produce similar changes in biometrics. Interpreting the precise emotion a person is feeling is not only invasive but could be easily misconstrued. I hope this never comes to fruition.

Show all comments (14)