(360; $39.99; xbox.com)
Even considering the entire downloadable content, movie trailers, music videos, and game demos that Xbox Live users have, what’s the one thing that’s been missing?
And thankfully, Microsoft heard the cries of the masses and released the Vision- the 360’s own camera, capable of displaying your rump, or whatever other body part you choose, with the rest of the world.
Is this a necessary purchase? I suppose the answer lies on how much of a closeted exhibitionist one is. Its main purpose is to allow video chat connections between players while in-game. Currently, only titles such as Uno, Backgammon, Hearts, and Billiards on the Xbox Live Arcade offer the option of players to get a look at one another, however the number of games implementing this feature will continue to grow- I’m still waiting for Texas Hold ‘Em to implement it, so I can finally read rivals’ tells.
Microsoft is also planning on launching titles to utilize the function of the camera as a controller, ala Sony’s last-generation Eye Toy. Here’s to hoping the types of games available for the vision hold gamers’ interests longer than the Eye Toy software.
Additionally, the Vision can be utilized to snap pictures to send to friends over Xbox Live, take a custom photo for your GamerPic (the picture that identifies you over Xbox Live), or to initiate a video conference with another friend. Oddly enough, the two-way video conference also allows one person to trigger the vibrating function in the other person’s controller. I don’t want to even think of the implications of such a function, but sufficed to say that those long-distance gaming relationships have the potential to become a lot closer.
The $40 price tag is a bit steep for a peripheral that doesn’t have many uses that directly affect gameplay, especially figuring that the same money can go towards a hefty down-payment on MS’ must-have title of the holidays, “Gears of War.” It’s good to also know that the Xbox Live Vision doubles as a web camera for a regular PC, so the multiple use helps justify the cost a bit more (except for those of us who have Macs with iSights). But if you’re looking to get a gift for a 360 owner and don’t know the types of games they like to play, or what they already have, the Vision would be an unexpected, and likely welcomed, present.
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