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Microsoft Seeks Patent On Shaming Fat Gamers
theodp writes "A newly disclosed Microsoft patent application — Avatar Individualized by Physical Characteristic — takes aim at fat people, proposing to generate fat avatars in gaming environments for individuals whose health records indicate they're overweight, limiting their game play, and even banning them. From the patent application: 'An undesirable body weight could be reflected in an overweight or underweight appearance for the avatar. Only requisite health levels are allowed to compete in a certain competition level. A dedicated gamer could exercise for a period of time until his health indicator gadget shows a sufficiently high health/health credit in order to allow reentering the avatar environment.' Linking one's gaming avatar to one's physique, explains Microsoft, will produce healthy and virtuous behaviors in individuals. Microsoft also proposes shaping gaming experiences by using 'psychological and demographic information such as education level, geographic location, age, sex, intelligence quotient, socioeconomic class, occupation, marital/relationship status, religious belief, political affiliation, etc.'"
Yeah, cause the Linux kernel isn't bloated or anything, right?
yeah, but if Sony or some FOSS did this, the title would be "Sony creates inventive new method of encouraging healthful behavior"
Although for once I think it's Sony/FOSS getting kid-gloves treatment, than MS getting overly harsh treatment.
So, in this "game", is healthcare subsidized? Is everyone taxed in order to encourage certain arbitrary health regimens over others?
"I assumed blithely that there were no elves out there in the darkness"
Did you patent being a moron and calling Win 7 "Vista SP3" when if you ever used it, you'd realize how horribly wrong you are? Cuz you should - you'd make tons of money from idiot trolls like yourself!
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." ~Thomas Jefferson
Maybe you should patent being a retard.
I can just imagine the slogan: "Escape your depressing real life into a matching world!"
Logging on...
"Our records show that you are an overweight high-school educated 36-year old mail in Akron, Ohio with below-average IQ, part-time employment at a Wal-Mart with an annual take-home of $16k who is a single Baptist Republican."
Creating avatar... done.
"Congratulations! Explore our virtual world with your new avatar -- an overweight, high-school educated 36-year old male with below-average IQ."
Your avatar will spawn in: Virtual Akron Ohio You start with the following items: Bible, Pat Robertson DVD, "Going Rogue" by Sarah Palin You start with: 0 gold You earn: 7 gold per hour For doing the following task: Checking groceries at the Virtual Akron Wal-Mart.
Oh please... overweight, below average IQ, republican, and Christian? That's your stereotype? Here's a mold-breaker for you. I'm 24, married (going on three years, woot!), 6'3", 225 lbs of solid muscle, a software entrepreneur, and I have an IQ of 175. Jesus is my homeboy.
seriously, what is up with all these fat fucks shitting a brick about this
The real path to male liberation
How much will the "no-fatboy-next-seat" premium be on cinemas, airlines, ... ?
When oil runs out we can burn them for heating.