Microsoft's Xbox One presentation certainly favored the TV watching experience, and despite some online backlash from fans, it looks like they're set to delve more into the experience, and further away from games.
Microsoft recently applied for a new patent that would dole out achievements for watching programs via the Xbox One.
According to the patent application, handing out the achievements is supposed to make the viewer feel more like a participant, rather than "just a viewer."
"Television viewing tends to be a passive experience for a viewer, without many opportunities for the viewer to engage or have interactive experiences with the presented content," the application states. "To increase interactive viewing and encourage a user to watch one or more particular items of video content, awards and achievements may be tied to those items of video content."
The patent uses the example of watching the Super Bowl. In completely non-related news, Microsoft also has a special deal worked out with the NFL. Yet another example mentioned in the patent was an awarding an achievement for watching an entire season of a TV show.
"Achievement Unlocked - Watch all 6 series of 'Lost' in one sitting."
"Tying the awards and achievements to particular items of video or advertising content, viewers may be encouraged to increase their viewership of the content, thus increasing advertising opportunities," the application states.
Funny, pay for a console, the online service, and the internet connection, and even in the next generation, you're still hit with advertising content. Somehow I doubt that, "Xbox, filter out ads" wil be an acceptable phrase. To play devil's advocate, it's the business of companies to go after the money, so I can't say I blame them. After all, Microsoft is only ranked 37 on the Fortune 500, bringing in "$17 billion in net income for its fiscal year 2012." So obviously, they could use the money.
More achievements could be handed out by using Kinect along with the system, for when users perform certain actions while they watch a show. I can only imagine what this would've been like back when "Baywatch" was on the air. And oh yes, can't forget about this either...
In principle, this doesn't too bad, and I don't have much of a problem with it. The issue arises if the patent is actually awarded and put into practice, when politicians and/or worried parents start to hear about it. The concept of a reward for "the children" being rewarded for sitting on their butts traditionally hasn't gone over very well with that audience, which tends to be a very vocal, annoying, and nauseating demographic. I dislike government involvement consumer rights, and I'd rather that not another justification be provided for them to use as an excuse to finally pay attention to their children after so many years.
Jimmies not rustled yet? Well, there exists the potential for things to get worse. Another part of the patent includes encouraging players to hold up certain products to be scanned by Kinect, and an achievement would be rewarded.
"Achievement unlocked - Eat Cheetos."
The possible rewards for such actions would include anything from GamerScore points to actual physical rewards.
Imagine some documentary that is against some of Microsoft's products, or possible busines interests. Don't expect it to get the same sort of treatment, let alone, be able to find it on Xbox Live.
From there, things could get even weirder. There's another patent up for discussion that could see Kinect acting as a watchdog of sorts, by monitoring the number of viewers in a room.
The whole thing really reeks of Big Brother, which I also thought would come from big government, rather than big corporations. Not to get too crazy too quick, but you could see where this is heading.
This would allow content providers to set a threshold, which, if exceeded, could trigger a prompt for the device owner to purchase a license for more viewers. Say hasta la vista to having the crew over for a UFC bout, or a standup special. Is that the sort of thing you planned on paying for? Well, it very well could be.
Keep an eye on the company, we'll keep you posted if the patent is approved, and / or if it's instituted.
