Microsoft Patent Targets Fat Gamers?

A new patent filing from Microsoft appears to be targeting the overweight gamer. Details outlined in the patent suggest limiting game time and reflecting avatar appearances in games based on data either supplied by the gamer or some kind of health database among others.

[mrv321]

http://images.trustedreview...

Stop advertising fast food will be a better start.

[DrRobotnik]

LOL

[Elven6]

All companies even Microsoft take offers from fast food corporations, but that is a horrible photoshop...

The idea sounds interesting, a Natal Fit is what I think. The Wii already does something similar, this will just make the visual side of things a bit more "accurate".

[Government Cheese]

Yeah, the dashboard doesn't even look like that. Let alone there are no ads in those areas.

[Darkstorn]

We just need to more readily regulate fast food advertising. The obesity problem correlates with misinformation about nutrition. Raising awareness is an effective - and relatively cheap - way to get people to add balance to their lives.

[Timesplitter14]

No more Xbox for you, Gabe Newell

[RockmanII7]

Though constant ESPNEWS feed at bottom would be awesome, that looks sooo fake and some PS3 only owners might think that's true.

http://www.gamemanx.com/wp-...

Thats what the ad page looks like. One click up and it's over (Plus ad page is usually free promo-stuff).

[Solidus187-SCMilk]

It uses natal to track fat people doing things like jumping jacks.

[lightningsax]

If that old study rings true, you've got older, fatter, depressed people playing more games, and Microsoft is deciding to... what... make fat older people more depressed through their avatars?

There are a few alternatives to losing weight in order to make your avatar look thinner. The most desirable of these alternatives is to never worry about how a stupid avatar looks. This also saves you money, as a history of buying crap for your avatar is a much worse sign of cerebral degeneration than a few extra pounds on your bum.

However, I see the point if it's part of a larger fitness game for the system. Makes sense, I guess, since the audience playing that game is probably the audience I'm referring to in my second paragraph.

[Bigpappy]

Natal can see who fat you are for your hight and customize you workout. It makes sense to try and help people figure out how much is too much when doing fitness. The game may even recommend what type of exercises will benefit certain body types. THis could interest a lot of people. Most people in the U.S. are over weight.

[syrinx]

Agreed :) Interesting though. Looks like Xbox Fit could be on the cards. God I hope not!

[Maticus]

Well it is true that sitting around playing computer games isn't what the human body was designed for. I wish it was though :(

[Xulfxulf]

Finally, a gaming company knows their audience! The avatar should come with WoW flavor Mt. Dew and Cheetos.

[ActionBastard]

Well hell, Greenburg is in trouble...so's his ego.

[Sarick]

Why are they trying to patent this. It's already been done in other games to represent to player. Home has it as a feature when you desige your avatar you can make them fat or skinny just not obese or morbid obese. Isn't it against the rules to patent technology that is already public domain?

Microsoft, what are you thinking back when I played The realm the avatars allowed players to make themselves fat.

The thing about using a persons real height and weight makes me think "OMG, aren't we getting a little bit to serious here."

[R_A_LEE20]

Console makers are all the same these days: If Nintendo makes it work well, we can do it too.

Just look at Natal & Sony's Ping Pong Stick. They wouldn't be exist if Nintendo hadn't used Motion Control as the Wii's main feature 3 years ago.

On another point: I think people would be pritty pissed if one day they logged online and their Avatar had turned into a big bulging fat guy with no hair.

Microsoft should think about this long and hard before they start predicting that a guy 10st over weight judging by how much Gamerscore he has.

[syrinx]

I would love to see the look on someone's face when presented with a Jabba avatar when they logged in :)

[Xi]

possible akin to a natal fit type game?

[EvilC]

oh no Gabe newell microsoft doesn't like fat people.

[Domer25]

This title just screams hilarity.

[ironmonkey]

targeting fat gamers is not good the millions of gamers are fat they want to play games not be subjected into doing exercise lol

[z1ck]

this is not a invention just some idea that many others already used so how can they patent this ? i though you could only patent inventions

[KeenanTheSavage]

I don't know, but I'm 6' 2" 185lbs (far from fat) and I think I'm gonna make my avatar fat just for sh!ts and giggles. thanks microsoft. you're practical.

[Droid Control]

whats wrong with that?

Better than being as fat Wii gamer. lol

[lizard81288]

how is the 40 year old,fat,bald guy going to attract young girls with an avatar that looks just like him?

well, then again, i don't think too many girls play 360s. unless they play call of duty....