Microsoft’s Bringing Back the Virtual Boy … Kind Of

Back in Q3 2010 Microsoft filed patents for two gaming headsets, the first of which is a pair of glasses for mobile gaming and the other a quite ridiculous gaming helmet for Xbox. Yep, that’s right, helmet. Thanks go to Patentbolt for unearthing the proof that Microsoft understand that what gamers want more than anything is to be imprisoned in the early 90s. So, aside from how stupid they look and how cumbersome they’d be, what’s the idea of what they could do?

Well they’ll transform the screen into a 16:9 widescreen experience that feels like you’re watching a 21″ TV at arms-length. As well as that there’s room for 3D technology in there and even augmented reality too. The central part of the patent is Microsoft’s “virtual-image projector” which is boring and confusing, but rest assured that there is not, nor will there ever be, a demand for a gaming helmet. Unless the human race finds mountain biking so dull that we need Angry Birds while we do it.

Thankfully the thing about patents is you’re only registering an idea, so Microsoft haven’t bothered with a prototype yet. Or at least they’re only doing so in secret because they’re too embarrassed by it. Microsoft now join Sony in the hunt for ridiculous headwear with Sony’s Personal 3D Viewer which also looks stupid. Having said all this, expect me to look like an idiot when it all catches on and I refuse to join in to avoid hypocrisy.

Via [Eurogamer].