Microsoft's planning an in-game user help system for Xbox Live, according a patent filed by its games strategy director, Andre Vrignaud.
The patent - which you can see in confusing diagram form on this page - reveals a plan to assist gamers during difficult parts with help from other players.
The system would work by accessing a database and bringing up a list of user submitted tips and guides.
Microsoft's patent mentions the ability for players to capture screenshots, video clips, and annotate them with a 'digital pencil' and even add audio commentary to further help with difficult game spots.
Authors will be able to tag situations, objects, and items in order to link tips to specific game situations, and developers will also be encouraged to create guides, which will carry more weight than user-made tips.
It all makes New Super Mario Bros. Wii's 'Super Guide' look a bit simple, doesn't it?
How many times have we been stuck on some level or cant beat a certain Boss? Pause the Game, bring up the Hints and away you go.
Of course the purists will say this is a form of cheating, well when I have limited Game time available I wouldnt mind having something like this at my disposal.
seen my mate do this manually on PSN last weekend, flicking between the browser and an assassins creed guide.
all thats required: a brain.
microshaft like to have everything locked down and controlled though, eh.
Therein lies the flaw in your statement. This isn't for the PS3. If there's another way of doing this easily and quickly on the 360 without having to have PC nearby, then I'm all ears (eyes)...
Yes but this is a little more in depth than opening up a net browser and going to GAmeFAQS isn't it.
all you'd have to do is hit the guide button go to the faqs section and you'd instantly be able to see written, video and audio guides for the games you are playing.
If i'm reading the patent right in theory you could have someone talk you through the part of the game you are stuck on. while you're playing it.
microshaft like to have everything locked down and controlled though, eh.
EH? Its not like there aren't going to be websites you can go to to get the info. They aren't trying to create a monopoly on game guides.
Personally i think its a great idea, there's been a few times when i've switched on the laptop to find stuff, like the location of Nuka-Cola Quantum bottles in Fallout 3. Having this info just a button push away in the Guide will save time.
Definitely a welcome addition in my opinion. I'm currently trying to complete all the side-quests in Lost Odyssey and this would have been a great feature to have available.
seen my mate do this manually on PSN last weekend, flicking between the browser and an assassins creed guide.
all thats required: a brain.
microshaft like to have everything locked down and controlled though, eh.
Therein lies the flaw in your statement. This isn't for the PS3. If there's another way of doing this easily and quickly on the 360 without having to have PC nearby, then I'm all ears (eyes)...
...they could add in a browser like the ps3 has (kind of a no-brainer for an internet-enabled device)
but this would be too much like lifting the iron curtain. they like everything controlled and regulated.
for my guide needs, id rather rely on proffesional game sites with screenshots etc, than on homemade user 'tips'.
far more clear and concise, all upped before any userguides made their way online.
give people some credit. it doesnt need to be all locked down, anyone can find the info themselves given the chance. and as i said, the proffesional guides are much better. googling your problem almost ALWAYS returns the answer you are looking for.
seen my mate do this manually on PSN last weekend, flicking between the browser and an assassins creed guide.
all thats required: a brain.
microshaft like to have everything locked down and controlled though, eh.
Therein lies the flaw in your statement. This isn't for the PS3. If there's another way of doing this easily and quickly on the 360 without having to have PC nearby, then I'm all ears (eyes)...
...they could add in a browser like the ps3 has (kind of a no-brainer for an internet-enabled device)
but this would be too much like lifting the iron curtain. they like everything controlled and regulated.
for my guide needs, id rather rely on proffesional game sites with screenshots etc, than on homemade user 'tips'.
As I've stated before, the reason MS has a closed system is to stop XBL becoming "teh internetz". I'm much happier with the system as it stands, knowing that I don't have to install firewalls and virus protection to stop my 360 getting ruined. It's happened with the iPhone - it's only a matter of time before a worm kills off my PS3.
@ Black Mantis: Give SVD his dues - he's actually been quite agreeable of late.
seen my mate do this manually on PSN last weekend, flicking between the browser and an assassins creed guide.
all thats required: a brain.
microshaft like to have everything locked down and controlled though, eh.
Therein lies the flaw in your statement. This isn't for the PS3. If there's another way of doing this easily and quickly on the 360 without having to have PC nearby, then I'm all ears (eyes)...
...they could add in a browser like the ps3 has (kind of a no-brainer for an internet-enabled device)
but this would be too much like lifting the iron curtain. they like everything controlled and regulated.
for my guide needs, id rather rely on proffesional game sites with screenshots etc, than on homemade user 'tips'.
As I've stated before, the reason MS has a closed system is to stop XBL becoming "teh internetz". I'm much happier with the system as it stands, knowing that I don't have to install firewalls and virus protection to stop my 360 getting ruined. It's happened with the iPhone - it's only a matter of time before a worm kills off my PS3.
@ Black Mantis: Give SVD his dues - he's actually been quite agreeable of late.
thats like saying you'd rather have your internet cut off from your PC so you dont get a virus (which its 100 times more susceptible to than the ps3).
less options isnt better, ive never heard of a ps3 getting a virus. MS just dont want to give people knowledge/access to stuff that they fear will lessen profits.
its not like they lack browser experience...
if sony can give their customers it, MS can.
i know many people who appreciate the ps3 browser.
its omission in a multimedia, internet ready device is a bit of a disgrace really. only a fanboy could argue against that.
I don't want a browser on my 360 for the simple reason that it'll be IE, which in all truth is utter s**te.
There's never been a decent web browser on a console. the version of IE on the dreamcast was pants, The browser on the PSP is absolutely useless. Opera on the wii and ds is badly optimised, as is the browser on the PS3, which although functional still pales in comparison to anything on a PC.
no need to be a fanboy. Just having a little bit of knowledge on the matter.
besides as far as i'm concerned the further the £27 a year i pay for a gold sub goes, the better.
Yeah but would anyone want a stripped back version of IE on their xbox. I know i wouldn't especially when it starts freezing up.
And the PS3's browser is great for just switching on for a quick look at something but when it comes to stuff like Play.com and PaddyPower, where you have to sign in, its absolutely useless. Thats when i turn the laptop on.
thats like saying you'd rather have your internet cut off from your PC so you dont get a virus (which its 100 times more susceptible to than the ps3).
less options isnt better, ive never heard of a ps3 getting a virus. MS just dont want to give people knowledge/access to stuff that they fear will lessen profits.
its not like they lack browser experience...
if sony can give their customers it, MS can.
i know many people who appreciate the ps3 browser.
its omission in a multimedia, internet ready device is a bit of a disgrace really. only a fanboy could argue against that.
Less options aren't better, no. There's no profitable reason not to put one on the 360. If anything it would be a good selling point - so there must be another reason not to.
I don't want a browser on my 360. I'm perfectly happy with the content I have access to. It does everything a games console and media centre should do.
And just because a worm hasn't invaded the PS3 yet via the browser, doesn't mean it couldn't happen. The internet is an absolute dump full of bullshit and noise.
I'm happy that someone is filtering the crap and giving me access to the stuff I actually want to do on a games console.
I have never used the internet channel on my wii because I don't care about it, beyond iplayer when it first came out. If it was on the 360 I wouldn't personally use it as I have a laptop and iphone.
I'm sure some people would find some use for it, but entering text with the joypad drives me mad!
It easier to stop people giving MS 'blind praise' if you don't give them blind condemnation all the time!!
I no longer use the PS3 browser, since that time trying to open the LBP homepage, told me the PS3 was out of memory and couldn't display the page. Oh, how I laughed.
well svd getss his fix of child porn on his paedostation 3 browser
a little unnecessary, especially to say it twice.
There shouldn't really be a need for a browser on a console if all the necessary contact points are there. With integrated social networking now more or less everything is accessible on the 360. this integrated guide function seems like a good idea on paper, but could be a messy disaster in reality, we'll have to ultimately wait and see though.
if you want to browse the web a computer is best, although i appreciate some like the option on consoles.
and are you trying to say IE is a worse browser than the PSN effort just to win your arguement?
a browsers a browser. on a console you'd only be using it sparingly anyway. bare functionality is all you need.
ive used the ps3 browser a few times even though i have a pc right next to it. sometimes its useful. iplayer on a widescreen is better than a crappy monitor for one.
arguments about a worm are complete shite... an attempt to debunk me is all.
its the internet... just dont click on stupid things. doesnt mean you have to avoid it altogether.
theres no crap to filter unless you choose to go to it. dont be a lemming.
He has somehow managed to turn a discussion about a free, your choice if you use it, on the whole a good idea from MS, into a discussion about how its a 'disgrace'(his words not mine) that the 360 doesn't have a browser that would be used 'sparingly' (again his words). I agree completely SVD its a disgrace, it really is...
He has somehow managed to turn a discussion about a free, your choice if you use it, on the whole a good idea from MS, into a discussion about how its a 'disgrace'(his words not mine) that the 360 doesn't have a browser that would be used 'sparingly' (again his words). I agree completely SVD its a disgrace, it really is...
It's an absolutely ridiculous idea. I mean - the thought of having a guide that you can pop up and get hints on how to get past a certain sticky point or to find out where the collectables are hidden on a map....it's retarded.
If Sony develop one, then it will be the bees knees, but until then, I'm happy to trawl through mountains of text or youtube videos to find what I'm looking for.
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I know i wouldn't especially when it starts freezing up.
