Si hva man vil om Microsoft, men på latsiden ligger de ikke. Selskapet har nemlig sikret sitt femtusende patent (altså nummer 5000), eller verdens 6 999 083'e patent om man heller vil si. Det blir ikke dårligere med tanke på at patentet har med Xbox Live å gjøre.
Den nye teknologien går kort og godt ut på at spillere kommer til å kunne se på et TV-spill på samme vis som vi idag kan gjøre med en vanlig sportsending på TV. Dette er den nye teknologien, beskrevet av Microsoft selv:
The Technology
The milestone patent relates to a host of technologies, some of which are currently included in portions of Xbox Live®, for creating a unique spectator experience similar to the viewing of a sporting event broadcast. Here is what the technology can do:
• A system for generating a spectator experience in real time from a game or event, such as highlights, instant replays, and unique views of the action within a game to enhance the experience for spectators rather than players. Using viewing controls, a spectator can control one or more virtual cameras to select desired viewpoints or an automated camera control to frame the action and perform specific cuts to best convey the story and action. The game and in turn the spectator experience may vary as a function of participant interactions and other contributions to the game based on real-time spectator activity.
• A portal such as a Web site to access spectator-related services such as schedules and information on multiple games and events as well as the number of spectators and participants in each. The portal allows the spectator to find the most popular games to watch, preview the action, and then connect to the desired game or event.
Spennende sier vi i Gamereactor og håper på at denne funksjonen blir tilgjengelig ganske snart.