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Unlock achievements for watching TV?!

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You know how the new Xbox One isn’t just a gaming console?  Well, apparently Microsoft REALLY wants you to watch TV, and has even applied for a patent on TV achievements.

Some of the achievements might be viewing particular events, or watching an entire series.  This can help with advertising – if you know people will watch the entire season of a show, you can charge more for ad spots.  But it goes beyond that!

Microsoft also envisioned using the Kinect motion-sensing camera in tandem with this system. For example, achievements may be tied to viewers performing specific actions while they watch a show. The system can make sure the user is simply in the room while it plays, or it can tell the user to hold up a specific product. The camera would then scan the item held up and reward the user with an achievement.

So, it’s not enough for me to watch some crappy movie.  Now the product placement will be in my own hands!  And they can make sure I actually stay in the room and watch every second of the intended program.  Considering they can detect my heartbeat, I wonder if they will penalise me for falling asleep.

All just seems a bit too creepy for me.  But maybe I’m reading too much into it.  Everyone likes unlocking achievements – it will probably work well for Microsoft.  Just weirds me out!

What TV based achievement would you like to earn?

Last Updated: May 27, 2013

78 Comments

  1. HvR

    May 27, 2013 at 08:21

    Watched every second of every race in a Nascar season
    Watched every Budweiser commercial in every race in a Nascar season
    Watched every fried chicken commercial during prime for a year
    Watched every pageant program for a year
    Honey Boo Boo achievement unlocked – this achievement entitle you to get you some 40% coupons for Real Southern Fried Chicken.

    Reply

    • KingKappie

      May 27, 2013 at 08:23

      you just won the internet today

      Reply

    • Brady miaau

      May 27, 2013 at 09:11

      man, you are just here to depress today?

      I think you are quite accurate in your prediction for future use.

      Imagine how much money you could charge if you could prove who, what. when, where was watching your advertising. Then tie that into household income, title deeds office, census data or whatever and give them targeted advertising.

      Reply

      • HvR

        May 27, 2013 at 09:19

        I’m speaking the truth, is all part of Gates’ master plan:
        First build big company and get enough money for genetic engineering to keep himself young.
        Then “retire” and spend billions to feed and cure the poor to win their hearts.
        Develop Xbox to get into the living room.
        Develop XboxOne to watch and control the rich and middle class.

        BE voted as leader of the UN
        Start World War against Japan and Korea (Sony and Samsung challenges his rule)
        “Unite” the world under One World Government.
        Be the Big Brother

        Reply

        • Brady miaau

          May 27, 2013 at 09:31

          Ok, an upvote, but just because I think you are right. And funny

          By the way, remember me to Oliver Stone at your next meeting.

          Reply

  2. Martin du preez

    May 27, 2013 at 08:24

    ‘merica box strikes again!

    Reply

  3. Eric Viljoen

    May 27, 2013 at 08:26

    Big Brother is watching. And you’re not allowed to leave its sight.

    Reply

  4. Tasty peas mixed with porridge

    May 27, 2013 at 08:29

    AP99999999 for watching the full 30 seconds of a washing powder advert.

    Reply

    • Tasty peas mixed with porridge

      May 27, 2013 at 08:29

      Sponsored by Microsales

      Reply

  5. Lord Chaos

    May 27, 2013 at 08:30

    It would seem kinect will be permanently covered by a cloth or something…

    Reply

    • Mark Treloar

      May 27, 2013 at 08:33

      I don’t think you will have a choice. I suspect Microsoft will have built in some way of detecting if the lens is covered.

      Reply

      • Lord Chaos

        May 27, 2013 at 08:34

        But at least they won’t be able to see what goes on behind the cover.

        Reply

      • Hillbilly Gamer

        May 27, 2013 at 09:01

        Be creative put picture of you and your living room in front of the kinect.

        Reply

  6. Umar 'No Shana' Bastra

    May 27, 2013 at 08:30

    I wanted to make some dirty joke about Kinect , fapping, pizza and achievements, But it’s too early on a Monday morning.

    Reply

  7. Trevor Davies

    May 27, 2013 at 08:31

    ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED: Rampant Stupidity! You just did what your TV told you to do – now dance for your supper or we won’t let you watch Idols.

    Reply

  8. Dean

    May 27, 2013 at 08:31

    Achievement Unlocked: Choke a monkey during Kardashians rerun….

    Reply

    • Mark Treloar

      May 27, 2013 at 08:34

      isn’t that supposed to be chocked a chicken?

      Reply

      • Dean

        May 27, 2013 at 09:09

        Choking, spanking, it’s all bdsm to me.

        Reply

  9. Tasty peas mixed with porridge

    May 27, 2013 at 08:37

    Looks like this machine is going to have a few problems with the LAW on privacy.

    http://games.ninemsn.com.au/news/privacy-breach-xbox-one-a-twisted-nightmare

    Reply

  10. Umar 'No Shana' Bastra

    May 27, 2013 at 08:38

    Am I the only one that is really afraid of Kinect? … On a really serious note, this thing freaks me the hell out… ! It has to be on all the time. That thing is essentially a webcam too….I can’t believe for one second the Xbox can’t be hacked and with a perpetual internenet connection ….. Who knows if they can watch us … I’m just saying ………………………………………………#Illuminati


    … lol 😛

    Reply

    • Jonah Cash

      May 27, 2013 at 08:42

      I am much more afraid of the Tsotsi’s finding a way to hack it and check all the things in my house that they might want…..

      Reply

      • Umar 'No Shana' Bastra

        May 27, 2013 at 08:46

        Tsotsi family gathered around the table having supper , instead of watching Isidingo they watch us and pick out our stuff that they’re going to steal over the weekend….sounds pleasant 🙁

        Reply

  11. Alex [SS] PsyChoPanthis

    May 27, 2013 at 08:45

    what happens if i bring my chick home after dinner… we watch a movie on the xbone and then proceed to move our focus… elsewhere… while on the couch? im just saying, real world scenario…

    Sounds like invasion of privacy if you ask me.

    Reply

    • Lord Chaos

      May 27, 2013 at 08:47

      With some crafty aiming you could throw your pants over the sensor.

      Reply

      • Alex [SS] PsyChoPanthis

        May 27, 2013 at 08:47

        infrared bro… will go right through the fabric XD

        Reply

        • Lord Chaos

          May 27, 2013 at 08:49

          At lease then they’ll only pick up a blob of body heat.

          Reply

    • Trevor Davies

      May 27, 2013 at 08:49

      It’ll start playing Barry White for you 😀

      Reply

      • HvR

        May 27, 2013 at 08:53

        LOL, and showing Durex and Viagra ads.

        Reply

        • Alex [SS] PsyChoPanthis

          May 27, 2013 at 08:54

          should pitch that idea to MS

          Reply

          • Brady miaau

            May 27, 2013 at 08:56

            You should. It is just awesome. An scary. Scarily awesome?

          • Trevor Davies

            May 27, 2013 at 08:59

            They can bring back Clippy to give some handy hints & tips too

          • Lourens Jordaan

            May 27, 2013 at 10:08

            Looks like you’re writing a letter…

  12. HvR

    May 27, 2013 at 08:59

    For the younger among us read Orwell Ninety Eighty Four before agreeing to the EULA.

    Reply

    • Lourens Jordaan

      May 27, 2013 at 10:07

      XBOX One is double-plus-ungood.

      Reply

  13. DrKiller

    May 27, 2013 at 09:09

    Sounds simple enough.. Have your Xbox on while watching something on your BluRay player… Achievement unlocked!

    Reply

  14. FoxOneZA - X-Therminator

    May 27, 2013 at 09:24

    Use it, don’t use it. Let the nerd rage follow just for LOLz.

    Reply

  15. Admiral Chief Commander

    May 27, 2013 at 09:25

    Dafuq?

    Reply

    • That Tall Twit

      May 27, 2013 at 09:26

      My thoughts too.

      Reply

  16. ElimiNathan

    May 27, 2013 at 09:43

    No you right it is damn creepy

    Reply

  17. Lourens Jordaan

    May 27, 2013 at 10:10

    I’d like an achievement for watching an entire series of 24 in less than 24 hours.

    Reply

    • Andre116

      May 27, 2013 at 10:17

      That is do-able. Much more difficult would be sit through the Sex and the City film.

      Reply

      • Brady miaau

        May 27, 2013 at 10:38

        Achievement unlocked: Did not gnaw off foot

        Reply

  18. Andre116

    May 27, 2013 at 10:22

    I can already see a lot of shake weight adds popping up on my tv.

    Reply

  19. Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

    May 27, 2013 at 11:23

    Maybe you’ll even get achievements for having a KFC bucket instead of a Steers burger in front of you (or pepsi instead of coca cola), while Kinect measures the size of your balls.

    Yes.. the Xbone is lame!

    PS: The one thing that should concern people, and the one thing no one has commented on is the fact that a multibillion dollar company will have access to your biometrics, your contact details and the ability to facial recognise you… and all of which will be stored on servers outside of South Africa. Data that they can readily share with their government, or even our banana government.

    That’s bullshit 1984 crap! Any one who buys an xbone, also hates Freedom! Fuck yeah!

    Reply

  20. Kobus Nel

    May 27, 2013 at 12:55

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