Microsoft patented display helmet

Microsoft has patented a display helmet, eerily reminiscent of the Nintendo On fake.

Analysed thoroughly by Patent Bolt, the helmet may be used both to augment reality in the style of a heads-up display (HUD), as well as project stereoscopic 3D images.

I do not think that this device will ever see the light of day, since it is now common belief that most consumers do not want wearable accessories, particularly not head gear. What I do still believe, though, is that we may see proprietary displays for home consoles. Sony's 3D display is an example already available on the market.

And years ago, there was proof that a Japanese gaming company had invested in 3D projection technology. A venture that has yet to be go public. And Nintendo experimented with a proprietary 3D screen for the GameCube which was practically ready to hit markets.

With new competition in the form of streaming platforms, tablets and smartphones (although horribly overstated) forcing gaming consoles to offer unique features, such proprietary screens may be just what the doctor ordered.

´FTW - For the Win´ live chat and show

Right, people. This is it. Starting at 11:15pm CET (3:15 PM PDT / 6:15 PM EDT / 7:15 AM JST), we will be broadcasting a really phenomenal Counter-Strike 1.6. final match in the Intel Extreme Masters series, season 2011 / 2012. You can watch it on ZDFkultur on your tv set (where available), via our own network's streaming service and you can join our live chat.  

I will be online until well after the show, so be sure to log in. You will see ESC Icy Box battle against Natus Vincere aka NaVi. Believe me, it will be worth it.

´FTW - For the Win´ continues

Once again, it has been far too long since my last post. But, once again, some good news are the reason for me having been extremely busy. My television network has just announced that FTW – For the Win, the videogame program I helped design, will become a series in 2012.

FTW is about competitive gaming and broadcasts eSport matches in full length, currently from both the ESL’s Pro Series and Intel Extreme Masters, alongside interviews and items about the subject.

This year, we will cover seven events with an output of three hours each, starting with the IEM finals taking place at the CeBIT computer fair in Hannover this week. FTW – For the Win will show the Counter-Strike 1.6 final late next Monday and the StarCraft II and League of Legends finals the Saturday after. Here are the viewing times:

FTW – For the Win
Monday, March 12th, 11:15pm – 0:15am
Counter-Strike 1.6 final

Saturday, March 17th, 2pm – 4pm
StarCraft II & League of Legends finals

We will also be updating you in German via our blog http://ftw.zdf.de, where I will obviously be posting a little more frequently than here for the time being. And, naturally, you will be able to see all of the shows via my network’s streaming portal, the ZDF Mediathek under http://mediathek.zdf.de (just search for FTW), where you can still find the pilot we aired from the gamescom in August, featuring a talk with Richard Garriott.

Of course, we will be going back to gamescom in 2012. Later in the year, we will also be covering events as far away as Guangzhou and New York City. And we will bring you news and reviews concerning online, multiplayer and AAA games.

So you see: great news. And I will try to translate some of the content I write for the FTW blog and post it here. And by the way, does anyone still care for the Nibris article? If ten people request it in the comments, it will become my number one priority once the current shows are through.