Xbox 360 Camera Date Revealed

Originally Posted by Game Informer

Major Nelson's latest update revealed that the Xbox Live Vision Camera will be released this fall. Unfortunately no price has been announced, but the camera itself will be available on September 19th in both North America and Europe.

The new device will allow users to video conference in such games as Uno, as well as send photo messages and take pictures to be used as their Gamer Tag picture.

I really so no point for the camera except for Live chat, but I was hoping to find out the release date none-the-less. I'd say the camera would cost about $30-$50. I wonder how similar it will be compared to the PS2s' Eye Toy?

Seriously, 360 is just another computer, except it's a basic level computer. Gaming console's for gaming purpose only, at least, that was what it was supposed to do before. Now we can hold video conferences on a gaming console? It's like Microsoft's trying to shove everything they can into 360.

Originally Posted by Lone Wolf

Seriously, 360 is just another computer, except it's a basic level computer. Gaming console's for gaming purpose only, at least, that was what it was supposed to do before. Now we can hold video conferences on a gaming console? It's like Microsoft's trying to shove everything they can into 360.

Well, that's the Xbox 360's main intent and purpose. It's supposed to be a multimedia killing machine. So I'd imagine Microsoft would try and fit as much upgradeable hardware and multimedia features, so that it can stay on top of the other consoles of their multimedia features.

On skepticism over the device, it's not like cameras aren't already being used in gaming. It was only a matter of time before others picked up on it.

Video conferencing is just a logical extension: If you're going to provide a camera for a console, and it already has an online infrastructure behind it, why not combine the two?

Originally Posted by Dryth

On skepticism over the device, it's not like cameras aren't already being used in gaming. It was only a matter of time before others picked up on it.

Video conferencing is just a logical extension: If you're going to provide a camera for a console, and it already has an online infrastructure behind it, why not combine the two?

Online video conferences seem like a waste.

I talk fine without the use of a camera; only using my microphone. And personally, I'd find it quite distracting during online play (though I'd imagine online video conferences would only be off of online games). I can somewhat imagine the amount of increased spam. People sending you messages only to flip you off, or other things that might be inappropriate (I don't think I should get into the detail of it at this time; on a forum that has children, but I'm sure you get the idea). And I really don't like the idea of it.

Spam's worse under the current setup: It's far easier to send out tons of quick voice and text messages than video ones. Video chat has the higher burden on senders.

For anecdote's sake, when my grandfather first got his current computer, he loved playing the card games that came with it. My grandmother? No interest whatsoever. On one of my visits with them, though, I sat down at taught her to use her webcam. Since then it's become part of her daily ritual, playing card games online with friends she communicates with over video conferencing.

It goes a step further than that, too: She doesn't play expression-intensive games. But imagine games like poker and blackjack, which are enormously popular both online and offline, and put so much emphasis on reading the faces of others. Combine this with the fact that online poker players are becoming more and more skeptical of bots... Microsoft may have an in to one of the biggest gaming markets yet to be tapped on home consoles.

Similarly, to take it back to personal anecdotes, most of the groups I do instance runs with in WoW these days all hop on to video conferencing for each run. We used to do normal group voice chats, but it's amazing how many gaps there are even in that compared to when you can actually see people.

Originally Posted by Dryth

Spam's worse under the current setup: It's far easier to send out tons of quick voice and text messages than video ones. Video chat has the higher burden on senders.

For anecdote's sake, when my grandfather first got his current computer, he loved playing the card games that came with it. My grandmother? No interest whatsoever. On one of my visits with them, though, I sat down at taught her to use her webcam. Since then it's become part of her daily ritual, playing card games online with friends she communicates with over video conferencing.

It goes a step further than that, too: She doesn't play expression-intensive games. But imagine games like poker and blackjack, which are enormously popular both online and offline, and put so much emphasis on reading the faces of others. Combine this with the fact that online poker players are becoming more and more skeptical of bots... Microsoft may have an in to one of the biggest gaming markets yet to be tapped on home consoles.

Similarly, to take it back to personal anecdotes, most of the groups I do instance runs with in WoW these days all hop on to video conferencing for each run. We used to do normal group voice chats, but it's amazing how many gaps there are even in that compared to when you can actually see people.

Good points.

I also forgot about how you can report the other person for their improper behavior. I suppose spam isn't really a problem then. In occasions, I'm sure video chatting might be fun at times. And I'm sure there will be options that allow you to receive video messages until after you're finished with an online game (hopefully). I suppose I was just viewing at it only one way.

Gamespot's Take

Shutter opened on 360 camera
Xbox program manager reveals September 19 debut date for Xbox Live Vision; other details include dashboard theme, music player visualizer, game interactivity.
By Tim Surette, GameSpot
Posted May 30, 2006 1:11 pm PT

Microsoft has been busy making sure that its Xbox 360 is up to speed. The most recent evidence of this is the massive dashboard update announced last week, which includes Web-cam support. Though the update will mean Xbox 360s are ready for the camera, it doesn't mean that the camera is necessarily ready for the Xbox 360.


Xbox Live Vision

The camera will be ready in September, however, according to Aaron Greenberg, group marketing manager of Xbox Live. On a podcast hosted by coworker and director of Xbox Live programming Larry Hryb, better known as Major Nelson, Greenberg said the camera will be released simultaneously in North America and Europe on September 19.

"We're adding eyes to Live, if you will," said Greenberg, when detailing the function of the camera. The USB 2.0 peripheral, named Xbox Live Vision, will be compatible with PCs, and no drivers will be required for either machine. Greenberg also said that other Web cams won't work with the Xbox 360--the Xbox 360 cam was designed specifically for the 360.

The camera will show off some features even when gamers aren't actively using it. On the 360 dashboard, a new setting will let gamers set the background of the dashboard (like themes) and interact with it. Waving hands in the view of the camera when it's on its "watery" setting will cause the background to "undulate" and ripple as if underwater. Other options include an "edgy" setting (likened to a "bad music video" by Hryb) and a "dotty" setting.

A similar feature can be used with the visualizer in the Xbox 360's music player. The psychedelic effects will be set atop a background image that captures what's going on in the room for an instant dance party with personalized visuals.

The camera will also be used in several games, such as Activision's World Series of Poker: Tournament of Champions, Ubisoft's Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas, and several Xbox Live Arcade games, including "some gesture-based games, a pinball game, and TotemBall." For WSOP and RS: Vegas, the camera will model users' whole heads, with both portrait and profile shots being used to help add depth to the mapped image.

Messages will also include photos taken with the camera. When the camera is released later this year, gamers will be able to message each other with text, voice, photos, or all three.

To listen to the entire interview, head over to Major Nelson's Web site.

Sony's Eye Toy has been 1uped. I really like what Microsoft is doing with the Xbox and PCs.

^ That's some interesting info Mr. Wonderful. The Xbox 360 interactive dashboard effect does seem a bit useless though. I like the idea of the 360 camera also being able to connect to your PC. That's a nice little touch. This interests me as well.

A similar feature can be used with the visualizer in the Xbox 360's music player. The psychedelic effects will be set atop a background image that captures what's going on in the room for an instant dance party with personalized visuals.

It's amazing the Microsoft can do something like this.

Originally Posted by Dark Link

I really so no point for the camera except for Live chat, but I was hoping to find out the release date none-the-less. I'd say the camera would cost about $30-$50. I wonder how similar it will be compared to the PS2s' Eye Toy?

Probably won't be compared much at all, because the camera has more utilitarian purposes. The Xbox camera appears to be for mostly taking pics of yourself, face mapping, and video chat. From what I gathered in Major Nelson's web-radio show, Microsoft's not really interested in 3,000 reinventions of whack-a-mole.

Remember that the Xbox is more oriented toward connecting gamers in a community sense. It's very similar to Nintendo's thinking, but executed very differently.

Originally Posted by Dark Link

Well, that's the Xbox 360's main intent and purpose. It's supposed to be a multimedia killing machine. So I'd imagine Microsoft would try and fit as much upgradeable hardware and multimedia features, so that it can stay on top of the other consoles of their multimedia features.

Seriously, the way Microsoft has been lately, I have been eerily aware that technology is following the path of the TV show, .hack//sign. I used to wish they hadn't set it so close in the near-future, figuring the show would be obsolete within years. But now.........I dunno.... it's creepy I tell ya! All the little things Microsoft has been doing make me think that some form of "Altimont" ain't so far away. o_O