SCEA files patent for interactive movie technology
"Interactive movie technology," you may find yourself asking, "isn't that just another word for video games?" Well, grandpa, yes and no. While this recently filed patent from Sony Computer Entertainment America will likely be implemented in some form of game -- our guess is PlayStation Home -- it doesn't really resemble anything we've ever seen from a ludological offering. Basically, SCEA is designing a framework for "avatars" to interact with a film in a number of different ways, such as tossing tomatoes at on-screen actors, or climbing into the film to deliver a swift kick to one of the characters' behinds.
The patent's illustrations resemble pencil-drawn versions of Mystery Science Theater 3000, where a player's avatar can be seen sitting in a chair in front of the interactive movie. These interactions can even be scored, granting bonus points for a well-aimed tomato toss. We have no idea how well this type of technology would work, but our deep, deep fondness for Mike and the 'Bots makes us more than a little interested in how SCEA is planning on using it.
[Via Siliconera]
The patent's illustrations resemble pencil-drawn versions of Mystery Science Theater 3000, where a player's avatar can be seen sitting in a chair in front of the interactive movie. These interactions can even be scored, granting bonus points for a well-aimed tomato toss. We have no idea how well this type of technology would work, but our deep, deep fondness for Mike and the 'Bots makes us more than a little interested in how SCEA is planning on using it.
[Via Siliconera]













Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Captain Planet [Planeteer | Power of Captain Planet] @ Nov 4th 2009 2:47PM
Night Trap 2 CONFIRMED
Utmost Nutszo @ Nov 4th 2009 2:54PM
*in Homer Simpson voice*
Mmmmm... Night Trap.
Gnoll @ Nov 5th 2009 8:20AM
As much as this would please me, Dana Plato is dead and thus such a project should never happen without her.
My parents' cable box has a built in thing to throw little tomatoes on the screen. It's the most useless feature I've ever seen in my life. It's only cute for the first five seconds.
@CubeGuy The Rocky Horror idea was nice though!
Marco le Polo @ Nov 4th 2009 2:49PM
Prego baby!
HAAS599 @ Nov 4th 2009 2:50PM
I can see the potential here
B3astofthe3ast @ Nov 4th 2009 2:51PM
MGS4.
I'm taking one for the team so that I don't have to read it later on, MGS is actually my favorite series.
MrAlex @ Nov 4th 2009 3:50PM
Damn you beat me to it!
I was gonna go with ''
MrAlex @ Nov 4th 2009 3:52PM
Er, that worked...
I was gonna go with 'Insert MGS4/Heavy Rain Joke Here'
Maverick Saturn (Igor) @ Nov 4th 2009 2:51PM
Roflmao, what a useless but somewhat attractive patent :D
Prof. Von Manifest (aka Dallas McCoy of the Cocaine Imperium) [PSN: Manifest37] @ Nov 4th 2009 2:54PM
Mike & The Bots!!
Making old black n white b-movies bearable!!
BigD145 @ Nov 4th 2009 2:57PM
I guess Sony wants to make sure crappy movies make some money by charging viewers for the tomatoes. Wouldn't it be cheaper to just open a vegetable stand?
joeybeast @ Nov 4th 2009 2:58PM
can't wait for next gen porn.
Edge @ Nov 4th 2009 3:02PM
Which button makes it rain marijuana cigarettes outside?
MrAlex @ Nov 4th 2009 3:49PM
marijuana cigarettes?
You need to brush up on your terminology.
fatherb @ Nov 4th 2009 9:19PM
The kids are calling them "doobies" now a days
Fane [Grammar Police - Power Of Pedantry] @ Nov 5th 2009 6:29PM
LOL
I doubt even the Doobies are still calling them "doobies".
Shagittarius @ Nov 4th 2009 3:09PM
I think Megan Fox is going to be getting closer to my penis that she ever thought.
Marty @ Nov 4th 2009 3:24PM
Dude... she's not even that hot.
Orion @ Nov 4th 2009 3:34PM
Marty, a man with sense.
That Burning Sensation @ Nov 4th 2009 4:00PM
Man Marty, I thought I was the only one who though Megan Fox isn't all that. Don't get me wrong he is ok, but she's gotta pretty strong chin (if you get me drift). I perfer my women more feminine and not so damn buff, but hey, that's just me.
johnnynumber5 @ Nov 4th 2009 4:36PM
Marty doesn't see beauty externally.
This is how Marty rolls:
http://www.bittenandbound.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/Amy-Winehouse-Teeth.jpg
http://powerlinead.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/amy-winehouse_smokes.jpg
http://britishteeth.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/amy-winehouse1.jpg
MrXile @ Nov 4th 2009 3:09PM
Possible gimmicky addition to HOME/Playstation Eye Titles.
If......... it ever actually becomes commercial! Patents applied for, still doesn't mean it will become available to us.
Gipionocheiyort @ Nov 4th 2009 3:11PM
Wasn't Microsoft doing something similar with the Xbox where your avatar would sit there and watch sporting events and interact with each other?
This seems a bit more advanced obviously...but it's interesting that both companies are moving towards this "watching someone watch something" concept.
Lunastra78 (PSN: lunastra78) @ Nov 4th 2009 3:51PM
It will all end up with something like this:
http://www.theonion.com/content/video/warcraft_sequel_lets_gamers_play
Fane [Grammar Police - Power Of Pedantry] @ Nov 5th 2009 6:32PM
...or Second Second Life.
BTW watch the Onion video; they're usually hilarious.
CubeGuy @ Nov 4th 2009 3:21PM
Because all we need when watching movies is to have thirty people crap up the screen with tomatoes.
I'll make an exception for Rocky Horror, though...
A TOAST!
Marty @ Nov 4th 2009 3:26PM
So Sony believes that FMV games are on a big comeback? Apparently we've come full circle now.
T @ Nov 4th 2009 3:27PM
I don't care what spin they're putting on it. They've just patented video games. Movies are going to have to be designed to recognize the interactions (if that's what this patent is), at which point your playing it.
If it's just "Your avatar does something that's funny" but the movie has no change/impact from said action, then it's less a game and more a waste of time.
Dr. Stabbingworth @ Nov 4th 2009 3:53PM
If you want to watch Calculon process the tax forms, press 1!
Bob @ Nov 4th 2009 5:08PM
Chair: You have pressed: One!
Fry: No I didnt!
Chair: I'm almost certian you did!
hahaha good stuff.
Eh @ Nov 4th 2009 3:55PM
Mystery Science Theater is funny for like 5 minutes and then the badness of the movie overwhelms and you turn the channel.
Gipionocheiyort @ Nov 4th 2009 4:01PM
Yup...or it will come full circle and just sitting on your ass watching TV will feel next gen.
Wow these graphics are so realistic...it's like I'm actually watching TV!
Ordeith @ Nov 4th 2009 4:11PM
would work well in a Netflix Party.
nick @ Nov 4th 2009 4:39PM
Kind of looks like an illustration of people watching George Bush.
fatherb @ Nov 4th 2009 9:12PM
thats what i was seeing as well
rhys.corlett @ Nov 4th 2009 4:39PM
This looks like a combination of Xbox’s movie parties and Microsoft Milo.
Prior art indeed.
gatotsu911 @ Nov 4th 2009 6:02PM
If they insert voice chat and the ability to record your riffs on movies, I will consider this genius and buy it in a heartbeat. Especially useful given the number of crappy movies that are released on PSN.
IslandLife @ Nov 4th 2009 5:59PM
Did someone say MST3K!!
brian @ Nov 4th 2009 6:32PM
ill pass.
don't know about you, but when im watching movies, thats my special lazy time.
interactive and lazy dont mix
JACK @ Nov 5th 2009 12:10AM
interactive porn? yeah I said it =p