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Microsoft Files Patents for Virtual Game Controller

Posted by Unknown on 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.

8 of 83 comments (clear)

  1. Price Comparison by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Interesting

    So instead of buying a $40 board game, one needs a $1000 Surface-compatible computer and 2-6 smartphones.

    1. Re:Price Comparison by i+kan+reed · · Score: 5, Funny

      The only board game Microsoft understands in Monopoly.

    2. Re:Price Comparison by i+kan+reed · · Score: 3, Funny

      There were only 8 words in my post. Is it so much to ask to read ALL of them?

  2. "Newly discovered patent" by i+kan+reed · · 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.

    1. Re:"Newly discovered patent" by CanHasDIY · · Score: 3, Funny

      TrollFail -

      You forgot to mention MyCleanPC

      --
      An enigma, wrapped in a riddle, shrouded in bacon and cheese
  3. SmartGlass by AVIDJockey · · Score: 3, Interesting

    This seem like it's a logical extension/feature of their SmartGlass intiative.

  4. This is a bit too much by zrbyte · · Score: 4, Insightful

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

    1. Re:This is a bit too much by jader3rd · · Score: 3, Interesting

      why not just take the Catan board from the shelf and play?

      Game setup and tear down time. Also, I remember when I was a kid there was a while when all of my siblings liked playing Monopoly on our home computer (I forget if it was win 3.1 or win 98). Anyway, in between all of the hectic things which went on in the house there were multiple saved games on the computer. Each file name had the names of the players in the title. When we'd find time to play, we'd find the file name with the kids that could play, and resume the game where it last left off. As players would rotate in and out, we'd just switch the file to the latest game that had those players.