Unfortunately the patent itself does not reveal much about anything relevant, as when or how it might be used. However the filing, namely "System and method to provide a spectator experience for networked gaming", is covering lots of possibilities how to hold and enhance a spectator experience. This kind of a breakthrough spectator experience in Microsoft's opinion would contain visual effects, commentary, control over cameras and information about players and spectators for viewers all over the globe.
E-Sports, as a term and as an idea, could make it further with the release of Microsoft's new system. "As described herein, the experience for spectators can be made much richer by employing techniques often used in sports broadcasting, such as a commentator providing analysis and background stories, slow motion and instance replay." Just don't hold your breath, even though it would be tasty to think that it's in the near future of Xbox 360, the fact is that nothing is yet brought to public's attention about spectator experience solutions.
Read the full patent at US Patent and Trademark Office.
Source:
Gamespot
Written by: Matti Robinson @ 9 Mar 2006 6:01
