Do we really need this?

On 05/10/2013 at 03:35 PM by smartcelt

Illumiroom is a project Microsoft has in development for possible use with their next console. It still has some work to be done on it,buy will be demonstrated in July. My feelings about this are much like how I felt about the Kinect. It feels like someone just sat around pondering what it would look like if your whole wall was a screen. They say it looks much better when viewed in person. Your peripheral vision sends the images to your brain and it fills in the gaps to make a smoother overall picture. I'll believe that when I see it for myself. My biggest question is if it really adds anything to gameplay. Or is it merely a distraction to give me a headache?

Do I really need to see my game images splattered all over my game posters and action figures? Will Solid Snake's crags and Lara's boobs make them look better? I think not. It's just going to be grainy,washed out peripheral fuzz. Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe I'm pessimistic. But I still remember how they told us Kinect would change gaming forever. Still waiting on that one. We own one which is used in our living room only occasionally. Like when relatives visit who want to play. We got over it a while back and just don't see much on the game horizon for it.

I like that they are trying new things. Just wish the focus was more internal,not peripheral!

So this thing is going to scan my room? And then make an evaluation perhaps? Like "So...you really like video games and comics,do you?.......NERD!" Oh,to be judged by a machine. But considering what it is and who made it, I think I'm safe from the "electric eye" of doom.

This is merely a prototype. Can you imagine having this monster in your living room? The finished product should be much more compact and easy to install. Remains to be seen if folks actually want one of these. I think I would get very irritated by it after a short while.

What I'm listening to today..............

transmet2033

05/10/2013 at 03:45 PM

no, no we do not.

smartcelt

05/11/2013 at 08:19 AM

I kind of wonder if the people who invented this even play games at all.

Matt Snee Staff Writer

05/10/2013 at 03:48 PM

if I still did LSD? yes, yes I do.

But seriously, yeah it's not that impressive. I'm much more excited about Oculus Rift.

05/11/2013 at 08:21 AM

Oculus Rift has more possibilities to me,too. When you turn your head the image is just as sharp as what's in front of you.

KnightDriver

05/10/2013 at 04:25 PM

You could do this with Google Glass or some other augmented reality headset. That seems to me to be the easiest way to do it.

Everyone's trying hard to get beyond that 2D TV screen. I'm not sure I want to get that immersed in a fantasy world, but maybe. I do watch 3D movies whenever they are available and I just saw Oblivion on IMAX and loved all that extra screen space.

05/11/2013 at 08:26 AM

Google Glass fascinates me. People have already come up with ways to use it for "hijinks" and spying. I read that Ceasars Palace has banned it. Can you imagine how much cheating could be done? You know people will get in car wrecks from using it while driving,too.

Super Step Contributing Writer

05/10/2013 at 04:51 PM

I read a Cracked article on this a week or so ago, or maybe only a few days ago. Honestly, I have about the same thoughts as you, but I'll make a decision when it's actually ready and I can see it myself. Of course, even if it's cool, it'll probably only be useful at night.

Love "Voodoo Chile," actually first heard it by way of a Stevie Ray Vaughn cover that was part of a set in his in Canada that PBS was playing for some reason.

05/11/2013 at 08:28 AM

Stevie Ray Vaughan tore that song up! His cover was amazing. Yeah,I think lighting will be an issue with Illumiroom.

Cary Woodham

05/10/2013 at 07:11 PM

Since I've been blind in my left eye since birth, I have next to no periphrial vision. So this doesn't look like something I'd like. I just want to be able to play a game.

05/11/2013 at 08:30 AM

I like to focus my attention on the screen when I am gaming. I think this could throw me off a bit. Too much data for my mind to deal with at once!

jgusw

05/10/2013 at 07:48 PM

Nop. I know I don't need it.

05/11/2013 at 08:32 AM

I felt that way about Kinect. My wife is the one who bought it. For her exercise games on her 360.

Ranger1

05/10/2013 at 07:49 PM

Meh, is my feeling about it. I want my virtual entertainment to stay on the TV screen and flat, thank you. There is a wonderful 3D world out there that has a whole lot of really cool stuff in it and I'd rather not mix the two. But then again, I'm a luddite.

05/11/2013 at 08:35 AM

I agree about the outside stuff. I worry about virtual reality and it's effect on people,especially kids. You think they are glued to sofas now? Wait until they get so absorbed in a game it becomes their world. Oh wait....that's already happening!

Halochief90

05/10/2013 at 08:54 PM

I likened this to how 3D basically adds nothing to movies yet serves as a good excuse for movie companies to milk more money out you. What few good examples of 3D exist are dwarfed by the number of 3D that just adds a layer of gimmick to the movie. Illumiroom seems like the same thing to me, only at a one-time fee that is trimendously more expensive than a movie ticket.

05/11/2013 at 08:39 AM

I'm just waiting for the ads to pop up. More visual area means more room for bigger ads! There's always a way to monetize new tech. I don't think it will add to my enjoyment of games a whole lot.

daftman

05/11/2013 at 12:34 AM

One of my friends on Facebook posted a video of this thing and it looks pretty cool, though like you asked, is it necessary? Could be pretty cool if it works well and isn't too expensive. We'll see.

05/11/2013 at 08:42 AM

I think if you were in an empty,white room it might look decent. I have so much stuff crammed in the gaming room it would look weird I think. I still want to try it out. They will have to come up with ways to display it in stores.

avidacridjam

05/11/2013 at 02:51 PM

I can't speak for everyone but I myself will never need this. I'm perfectly fine with the setup that I've been using since a child and there are still many gaming experiences that I've yet to encounter. Microsoft can experiement all they want but if they don't start working better with developers, they'll find that very few people will want to make the most out of whatever new device they come up with.

05/12/2013 at 12:30 PM

Seems like they want to force the Kinect down our throats. It will be integrated into their next console from what I hear.Hope they don't get just as obsessed with this product.

NSonic79

05/12/2013 at 01:52 PM

to tell you the truth I am rather curious about this tech. It's like one step closer to actual VR set up. Sure it's weak but it's a better start offered with the Kinect. though I wonder if it would be better if they used some type of glasses like google glass.

PixlBit