We know it is coming: Xbox 720 or whatever you want to call is on the way, guaranteed. It will have heaps of power stuffed into its shiny little box, likely run on Windows 8 and, as loath as we are to admit it, will probably come with a whole new form of Kinect. But is that all we know? Is that all there is to know? Well, that depends on just how deep you are willing to search.
We have rummaged around Microsoft’s hidden patents to try to piece together the future of Xbox, but what we got was something else entirely. Kinect enabled glasses, 3D Halodeck style interaction, wearable computers? All nonsense, we are sure, but what if it was true? What if this really is how we will be playing games when 2013 comes around? Let us show you just how ridiculous Microsoft’s crazy world of Xbox 720 could be.
Immersive 3D Environment Display System
Imagine never having to paint your walls again. Imagine your wallpaper being whatever game you are playing. Imagine Call of Duty multiplayer with enemies concealed on your sofa. That last part sounds ridiculous, right? It’d be like a real life game of LaserQuest, but instead of chasing after your opponents you are slumped in a chair eating Wotsits.
With this patent it seems Microsoft would use the Xboxbox to project an environment on each of the four walls of your room, like a HoloDeck but without the clever Ai interaction.
Advanced Optics for Xbox Eyewear
You know what gaming needs? More peripherals. How many times have you sat there, fighting through the mission on Assassin’s Creed with a controller when you thought you know what, this game is not nearly cumbersome enough. Don’t worry, Microsoft has you covered.
This particular patent for example suggests Microsoft could be looking to develop a pair of specs to wear while gaming that make the experience more immersive than ever. Failing that there is even an alternative ‘Gaming Helmet’ for those times that you really want to feel like an idiot.
Wearable Electromyography-Based Controller
These collections of wearable computers are perhaps the most bizarre of all of Microsoft’s patents. We say collection as the patent actually makes references to arm bands, wristwatches, shirts and gloves: basically anything that can be worn can have this novel technology built in, which will actually be used to control any kind of computing devices, even an Xbox 720.
Interactive 3D Holodesk System
Virtual reality simply will not die. We thought we did seen the last of it when the Nineties finally realized how utterly stupid it was, but when John Carmack goes and endorses the creation of Oculus, a 3D virtual gaming headset.
Potentiometer Sensing Strip
This particular patent seems so useless that we would put money or it actually becoming a reality. It is a touch controlled strip attached to your Xbox 360 controller, intended to replicate a cursor or enable quick text typing. It would be like typing with just your thumb.
What are your expectations from Xbox 720? Do share with us in comments.
