Image Credit: Bethesda
Forgot password
Enter the email address you used when you joined and we'll send you instructions to reset your password.
If you used Apple or Google to create your account, this process will create a password for your existing account.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Reset password instructions sent. If you have an account with us, you will receive an email within a few minutes.
Something went wrong. Try again or contact support if the problem persists.

PS Vita’s Avatar Chat Just a Little Creepy

This article is over 13 years old and may contain outdated information

The PlayStation Vita’s facial recognition avatar chat system is pretty awesome, but it’s a little creepy at the same time.

If you’ve ever wanted to chat with your friends as an anthropomorphic panther that mimics your every head and facial movement, you’re in luck when it comes to the PS Vita. Sony has unveiled a video chat system for the new handheld that uses the Vita’s front-facing camera to read your face and transfer its movements over to a virtual avatar.

It’s a very cool addition to the Vita’s capabilities. A demonstration video shows a man and a woman chatting with each other, one as a humanoid panther and the other as the little doll girl that stalks me in my nightmares.

The system works pretty well for a demo, showing the avatars’ mouths opening and closing, heads tilting, and eyes blinking as the actual people speaking do the same. Their eyelids might go a little crazy at times, but kinks like that can be worked out. If not, freaky eyes will just be a bonus of the system.

Sony’s technology looks similar to Microsoft’s Avatar Kinect which also transfers facial movement onto a virtual avatar for the purpose of chatting. I like the two systems a lot, because sometimes you want to have a chat with someone but you don’t want to put on a shirt or pants. Avatar chat takes care of that issue, and also allows you to look like a dapper feline at the same time.

Source: Siliconera

Recommended Videos

The Escapist is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission.Ā Learn more about our Affiliate Policy