360 titles given next-gen barcodes

Darkaber · 19 Apr 2007 at 17:24

Microsoft is to introduce a new barcode onto Xbox 360 games this year, which can hold double the amount of data than the commonplace black and white stripes

Microsoft has said consumers could interact with the new barcodes, using webcams and mobile phones with cameras.

Microsoft engineering director Gavin Jancke, who developed the new High Capacity Color Barcode (HCCB), said the aim was not to replace the current barcode system, reports the BBC.

"It's more of a 'partner' barcode," he said. "The UPC barcodes will always be there. Ours is more of a niche barcode where you want to put a lot of information in a small space."

Up to 3,500 alphabetical characters of data can be stored into each square inch of the barcode.

Because the barcode can be read by mobile phone cameras, Microsoft claims that it can be used to go online.

Once scanned by a mobile, consumers could be taken to a website containing downloads or extra content, adds the BBC.

Link

Quite a good idea i think

KNiVES · 19 Apr 2007 at 17:39

MS has won the console war now.

/thread

McManicMan · 19 Apr 2007 at 17:46

i'm off to play with my Barcodes!

, whats the point of this to normal users?, i don't get it

BenjiSayers · 19 Apr 2007 at 17:48

Does this mean HD barcode battlers?

Darkaber · 19 Apr 2007 at 17:50

McManicMan said:
i'm off to play with my Barcodes!

, whats the point of this to normal users?, i don't get it

Well the 1 and only thing i can make out of it is this is another way you can get extra content for games, Maybe free content?

GarethDW · 19 Apr 2007 at 18:01

Am I missing the point or is it simply that there is no point to this story?

wannabedamned · 19 Apr 2007 at 18:03

GarethDW said:
Am I missing the point or is it simply that there is no point to this story?

The 1st one.

-

Barcode Battlers were "cool"

HD Barcode Battler would be brilliant

GarethDW · 19 Apr 2007 at 18:17

wannabedamned said:
Barcode Battlers were "cool"

HD Barcode Battler would be brilliant

Barcode Battlers - now that's a blast from the past.... I'd forgotten all about that.

dannyjo22 · 19 Apr 2007 at 18:18

Darkaber said:
Well the 1 and only thing i can make out of it is this is another way you can get extra content for games, Maybe free content?

So legit game buyers would have a unique barcode that downloaders wouldnt have?

Other than that, I dont get it. :confused:

BloodWolf · 19 Apr 2007 at 18:27

I dont get it :\

Darkaber · 19 Apr 2007 at 18:29

dannyjo22 said:
So legit game buyers would have a unique barcode that downloaders wouldnt have?

Other than that, I dont get it.

Thats how it comes acorss to me but apart from that im in the same boat as you in saying i dont really get it.

I just posted this as a news story

wannabedamned · 19 Apr 2007 at 18:31

It's going to be an advanced barcode. With extra content being hidden with in.

Does that answer your I don't get it's... I don't get what you don't get :confused:

fini · 19 Apr 2007 at 18:36

It works in two ways. Firstly, if you see a product you like you can take a picture of the barcode with your phone and, when you get home, transfer the pic to the computer and use a program to bring up info from the barcode - such as a picture of it plus age ratings and info on the game. Soon phones will have apps to deal with this so say you see a game on a shelf, you take a pic of the barcode, your phone goes online and gives you a bit more info about the game to help you make your mind up about purchase.

Secondly, because they are actually quite hard to print it could 'potentially' stop as many fake games from being sold because you can check the barcode yourself before buying.

fini