Microsoft plans realistic avatars to encourage healthy weight

Microsoft hopes to encourage physical activity among Xbox Live gamers by locking obese gamers out of game components until certain physical parameters are met.

Microsoft filed a patent application for its “Avatar Individualized by Physical Characteristic” technology, which was officially submitted to the US Patent and Trademark Offices last week.

1UP discovered the patent application last week, which is described as “an avatar generator for a virtual environment (that) reflects a physiological characteristic of the user, injecting a degree of reality into the capabilities or appearance.”

Furthermore, “Physical data that reflect a degree of health of the real person can be linked to rewards of capabilities of a gaming avatar, an amount of time budgeted to play, or a visible indication.  Thereby, people are encouraged to exercise.”

Some type of physiological sensor could be used, but it still isn’t known how the avatars will specifically mimic the health level of a gamer.

I applaud Microsoft for taking gamer health into consideration, but this may end up being considered too intrusive.  If a gamer is willing to purchase an Xbox 360, multiple game titles, and pay for an Xbox Live subscription, should they be forced to adhere to Microsoft’s health standards?

If not, is it fair that they have to be locked out of certain parts of the game because Microsoft doesn’t approve?

Nintendo’s Wii Fit also has a similar technology, as a gamer’s Mii character is shown a bit heavier if the video game considers a person overweight.  However, limiting “capabilities of a gaming avatar, an amount of time budgeted to play, or a visible indication” is a bit over the top — and I am one of the gamers who wants people to get outside and exercise.