Microsoft Files Patents for Virtual Game Controller

Posted by Unknown on Wednesday July 18, 2012 @05:11AM from the metro-version-of-catan-draws-ire dept.

SmartAboutThings writes "A newly discovered patent shows that Microsoft might be interested in developing virtual controllers for tablets and smartphones. A while ago, it didn't quite make sense why Microsoft would need such a piece of technology, but with the announcement of their Surface tablet, it suddenly takes on a new perspective." I think a few board games (Catan comes to mind) would be pretty playable on a moderately-sized, shared touch surface, with everyone's phone acting as their hand.

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"Newly discovered patent" by i+kan+reed · 2012-07-18 05:19 · Score: 5, Insightful

That phrase right there communicates the state of the patent system. Finding out which patents exist take more research and effort than inventing the patentable items.
This is a bit too much by zrbyte · 2012-07-18 05:34 · Score: 4, Insightful

I'm all for gadgets, but why not just take the Catan board from the shelf and play?