The last thing I want to speak on could turn out to be one of the most used features – the capability to change your gamertag picture. You will no longer be limited to downloaded gamertags you have purchased, and are now able to snap whatever your heart desires. Whether it is a picture of yourself, your pet, or anyone else; customized gamertag pics will turn out to be incredibly popular addition to Xbox Live. Microsoft has applied a limit to this feature though; your friends will be the only ones to see this custom gamertag picture. However this is not a big set back since I am sure we wouldn’t want to see all the profane pictures that would be going up all over Xbox Live if this protection wasn’t in place.
As for the camera itself, Xbox Live Vision comes attached with a long USB cord that is maneuverable enough to place almost anywhere and there’s a ring around the lens to allow the user to adjust the focus of the camera (which of course comes in handy when you change the distance between yourself and the camera). The only disappointing attribute of the camera is that you can’t focus it via the Xbox 360 controller. Not too many users will want to get out of their seat to adjust the focus.
Coming features and uses for the camera include a face mapping mode, which will enable gamers to place their face onto their avatars or characters from the games they are playing. Rainbow Six: Las Vegas and World Series of Poker: Tournament of Champions are two titles that are confirmed to be incorporating this feature. I am sure that sports titles will introduce aspects that use the camera for their create-a-player modes.
The Final Word
After 15 minutes of use the camera will become mildly hot, but it’s nothing you’ll burn your hand on. With a 1.3 megapixel lens and video processing capable of up to 30 frames per second, you should always be guaranteed of getting decent quality footage too. This little gadget proves that Microsoft is still improving their Xbox Live service every year and with significant games like Halo 3 and Fable 2 coming in the future, one can only hope that they will fully support Xbox live Vision. The last warning I have is for all those Xbox Live Silver members – you won’t be able to use video chat if you buy the Vision camera. Video chat is only available to Gold Members, so you’ll have to upgrade if that’s what you are buying the camera for.
