'Forza Horizon' and SmartGlass - A Literal Game Changer

Anthony Accinelli writes "That's when I noticed that Forza Horizon had an option to "Play on Xbox 360". I clicked it immediately and was pleasantly surprised to find that my computer screen had been transformed into a working, interactive map."

[Christopher]

Yeah. No.

It's nice, but it's the same as pausing to see a map pop-up in game and set the exact same thing. You still have to take time away from driving/playing. Only, in this case, it requires two screens to do it.

No game changer. Just another option.

So, not a literal game changer.

[FordGTGuy]

Sorry but no, I use my main monitor to play Xbox 360 and while playing Horizon I have smartglass running on my second monitor.

I have a real time GPS map that I can not only use to see my route but I can even set routes on it. Halo 4 is going to be a step further allowing you to even accept game invites and compare stats in real time with friends.

Smartglass is definitely a game changer and I can't wait to see what else they can do with it.

[Christopher]

Sorry, but it doesn't change anything.

Having an optional off-screen GPS map as opposed to on-screen one isn't a game changer.

And, just FYI, what you're talking about is gaming on two different devices, two different screens. That's like saying having any tablet is a game changer because I can look up cheats while I play.

Just not a game changer. It's an option. An option I'm certain the mass majority of gamers won't use while gaming.

Now, is it a nice way to combine using the 360 as a media device and getting more on a tablet? Sure. Gaming? No. It's just an optional way to use the same UI you can have in-game.

[FordGTGuy]

@cgoodno

Welcome to PC Gaming, gaming on two screens is not uncommon let alone gaming on 3 screens. Yes this kind of application works well enough to be a game changer. Even someone with a phone could effectively use it as a GPS while they are driving by placing it in a way where it's easy to see while driving.

Comparing this to looking up cheats is naive and ignorant and just shows that you have yet to actually sit down with a proper setup and used smartglass.

Also it's not restricted to tablets it works on desktops, phones, tablets and everything in between.

Smartglass is not a optional way of using a in-game UI, yes in Horizon it lets you access the map which you have access to in the game but in Halo 4 smartglass lets you access information and UI you can't access in the game itself.

[Christopher]

***Welcome to PC Gaming, gaming on two screens is not uncommon let alone gaming on 3 screens. ***

Playing a single game with a single UI across multiple screens is not the same as playing a game on one screen and referencing the UI on another. Far from.

What you're talking about is the same as me playing a game on one screen and watching a movie on the other. That extra screen is useful in providing more things for me to do. But, that doesn't improve 'gaming' for me.

You want to improve gaming, improve the games.

I admit that improving how we can interact with them is a way. But, smart glass just isn't that way because it takes focus away from what you're playing just how watching a movie on another screen takes you focus away from the game. It's an option. A way to view what has been an overlay UI in the bottom left or right before but instead on a whole different screen.

***but in Halo 4 smartglass lets you access information and UI you can't access in the game itself.***

Then that's Microsoft forcing users to move towards using something that could have been put into the game or could be readily available on a Web site. This isn't because of the "power of smart glass" but because they want to make it something people gravitate towards so they can continue to sell it.

That's limiting resources on purpose to sell the item. You know what that sounds like? DRM. Abusive DLC. All things about limiting how you interact with your game.

Also, thanks for the 'troll' bubble vote.

[FordGTGuy]

You clearly haven't used Smart Glass or have much experience playing multi-screen gaming so yes you criticizing smartglass is borderline trolling.

[greenpowerz]

I agree..

Everything from future use of tablet and cellphone camera apps to future multi device co-op and social media use, all a game changer in much the same way console online gaming exploded.

-Future remote access to all screened devices from one Xbox/Windows PC.

-Furture live gaming on any future TV from a tablet or cellphone mobilly connected(wired) to an Xbox 720 that's at home when you're across town

-Future multi player on many MSFT enabled devices conneted to a windows PC or xbox.

http://www.dualshockers.com...

The list can go on forever.

Ubisoft wanted to use mobile devices for their AAA WatchDogs and they happend to be brainstorming the concept and development along side MSFT with out even knowing what MSFT was doing. Both companies were working on this at the same time, one on a studio scale and the other on a global scale.

[nukeitall]

@cgoodno:

"I admit that improving how we can interact with them is a way. But, smart glass just isn't that way because it takes focus away from what you're playing just how watching a movie on another screen takes you focus away from the game. It's an option. A way to view what has been an overlay UI in the bottom left or right before but instead on a whole different screen."

Well, a lot of times the "whole different screen" isn't possible to overlay on the game screen. Furthermore, you aren't taking focus away, but rather making yourself more engaged by having more information.

Would you consider being less focused on the game, because you see your car on the race tracks so you know where you are on the track?

It is a different way to interact with the game, and in a way that is likely better than being forced to pause the game or have game screen real estate taken away.

So I call your argument bullshit.

"Just not a game changer. It's an option. An option I'm certain the mass majority of gamers won't use while gaming."

I beg to differ as I think MS strategy has the potential to reach the most gamers of any of the 3 available for consoles in the near future. Wii U adoption will be low relatively speaking, PS3 solution requires PS Vita and MS solution requires Xbox 360 and a PC or smart phone that almost anyone has. In fact, the latter out number all 3 consoles in adoption combined!

I'm pretty sure 99.99999% of the homes that has a console has a compatible device.

[Christopher]

***You clearly haven't used Smart Glass or have much experience playing multi-screen gaming so yes you criticizing smartglass is borderline trolling.***

First, I'm sharing my opinion. Far from trolling.

Second, I'm typing this from one of two monitors in front of me. I'm far from a stranger and have been doing it since 2000.

How about instead of just calling me names and deriding my 'argument', you share some constructive and relevant information that oppose my own? How about attacking the argument, not the individual?

Third, I'm not criticizing Smart Glass. It is what it is. I'm saying it's not a game changer. I'm saying it's an "option" that some may utilize as it is described by the author of the article. I didn't say Smart Glass sucks, it doesn't. I didn't say anything sucks. I just don't think it's a "game changer" when it comes to what the author of the article is talking about. I'm saying it's about as much of a "game changer" for gaming as PS Move was.

***Furthermore, you aren't taking focus away, but rather making yourself more engaged by having more information.***

Having more information and having to take your eyes off of the TV or similar screen you are playing to view it is exactly that. Taking focus away.

***Would you consider being less focused on the game, because you see your car on the race tracks so you know where you are on the track?***

If it requires me to take my eyes off my driving, yes. I've played racing games since Outrun on the Genesis. I've never had an issue with managing where I am on the track with the overlay maps on the bottom left or right. I've never had to take my eyes off of the screen.

***It is a different way to interact with the game, and in a way that is likely better than being forced to pause the game or have game screen real estate taken away.***

If it provides something that can't be conveyed already in real time, I don't see it any different than pausing the game. Specifically, if it's something that's not normally required for the game and I'm driving, I'm going to want to pause the game whether it's to look at another screen to see what I want to see or see the information as part of the pause screen/menu.

***So I call your argument bullshit.***

Really? I've provided examples of doing things "with another screen" and how it distracts from playing the game. I also know that we are not chameleons and we don't have eyes that can be controlled individually or processed in parallel the way a chameleon can.

Yes, these things on the screen are related to the game, but when you are playing a game you should be more focused on playing it than something in your lap or sitting next to you.

***I'm pretty sure 99.99999% of the homes that has a console has a compatible device.***

Great. They have them. Now how many will keep them around and actively use them when they game? How many will need it to continue gaming?

IMHO, and I think you are forgetting that we are both just sharing just that, our opinions, the only way it's going to go off is if it's forced to be used in a game. Otherwise, people aren't going to gravitate towards. Sure, lots of people will try it on their device, but once the gimmick wears off and they go back to their gaming, they won't use it while they game. They'll use it while they browse/watch other media or control it with Smart Glass. But I don't think it will take off as a gaming tool the way you think it will.

[Loki86]

You are trolling because you are judging based on the fact it wasn't built into the game versus the actual software itself. When you actually have a chance to use it, instead of just blindly judging then you may have a right to your opinion. Until then you are clearly not seeing the big picture and have no business in this thread.

[ArmrdChaos]

As an example...sleeping dogs. Say said character in game is simulated using phone/tablet to get some information to provide a choice of action. Instead of having you select from an in game menu with the joystick put that exact information on said phone/tablet in the real world and let you make that choice/action the way the character would have in game. Likewise... imagine dialing different numbers on your smart phone through the game app to simulate dialing actual characters in the game to get bits of information necessary to complete missions. If you don't have a phone or tablet then you would just use the boring in game menu of choices. That's one example on how smart glass could shine. With voice recognition you can explode things further.

[Christopher]

***You are trolling because you are judging based on the fact it wasn't built into the game versus the actual software itself.***

Wrong. I'm judging because it takes my attention away from my TV screen when I should be keeping it on the screen while I drive, shoot, platform, or whatever else I'm doing in the game.

***When you actually have a chance to use it, instead of just blindly judging then you may have a right to your opinion. Until then you are clearly not seeing the big picture and have no business in this thread.***

Wrong. And, FYI, I have used Smart Glass. I haven't used it with a game. But, I've gamed on multiple screens for years and you know what I've never done? Shoved all my UI elements to one screen and the rest of the game on another and then looked back and forth. Furthermore, I've never focused on just one of those screens as a single entity. I've moved away and they both have become my 'single' view of the game and UI was spread across them as appropriate.

This? This is different.

I'm fine if you don't like my opinion. But don't try and say I'm not allowed to express my opinion or am a 'troll' because of your made up rules on what is or isn't acceptable for communicating on N4G.

[Loki86]

No because you said so yourself you have used multiple screens, this isn't intrusive in anyway. The fact you reject the technology because it diverts your focus has nothing to with what SmartGlass actually does. It simplifies alot of things into a seemless UI where you don't have to go through 50 menu screens. It gives you information on what is going on while you are in a loading screen or attempting to join a game, or thousand of other possibilities. It is just like receiving a text or quickly looking up information because all that information is displayed right in front of you without having to search for anything.

Again, keep spouting off about how you are right in your assumption that it won't be a game-changer or has no practical application. I will merely keep laughing at the idea that you do not think you are trolling since you have yet to even touch the software.

[Christopher]

***No because you said so yourself you have used multiple screens, this isn't intrusive in anyway. ***

Yes, two screens right next to each other of the same size and viewed as a "single screen" with shared UI across them.

We're not talking about two monitors of the same size right next to each other. We're talking about a TV screen or monitor + a tablet or phone. Very different.

***The fact you reject the technology because it diverts your focus has nothing to with what SmartGlass actually does.***

I'm not rejecting the technology. I'm disagreeing with the premise made in the article. Tell me where I said this technology shouldn't exist. Tell me where I said there is absolutely no benefit to this.

Seriously, read what I'm saying. Don't just fill it in with what you think I'm saying.

*** It simplifies alot of things into a seemless UI where you don't have to go through 50 menu screens.***

What? 50 menu screens? What freaking game are you playing that has 50 menu screens? And, furthermore, do you mean to tell me that, as an example, if the equipment screens for a game were on a tablet in your lap that you would not stop playing the game to look at it and interact with the tablet in the exact same way you would if you had gone to those screens on the TV. Meaning, you are telling me that you can continue playing at 100% while also taking 100% in on the data that is being displayed on the external device (phone or tablet)?

*** It gives you information on what is going on while you are in a loading screen or attempting to join a game***

All information that could be displayed as the loading screen...

***Again, keep spouting off about how you are right in your assumption that it won't be a game-changer or has no practical application. I will merely keep laughing at the idea that you do not think you are trolling since you have yet to even touch the software.***

/facepalm

[nukeitall]

@cgoodno:

"But, I've gamed on multiple screens for years and you know what I've never done? Shoved all my UI elements to one screen and the rest of the game on another and then looked back and forth."

Because you haven't done it, doesn't mean it doesn't make sense or isn't better.

"Having more information and having to take your eyes off of the TV or similar screen you are playing to view it is exactly that. Taking focus away."

It might take focus away from the action of driving or shooting, but it gives you more information possibly to make better choices in the game. Also keep in mind, not all games are real time sensitive i.e. they aren't all twitch games.

I can see a great use of this feature in Halo 4 where you can see all your team mates on the map. This would be cumbersome and take up a lot of space on the TV screen due to the low resolution, but excellent on a tablet or small screen device like smart phone.

A quick glance work wonders, and it would be far faster than pausing the game and wait for the game to display the map, while my characters stands still and others can shoot me.

[Christopher]

***A quick glance work wonders, and it would be far faster than pausing the game and wait for the game to display the map, ***

IMHO, it won't. It's information that can be displayed on the screen, and has been in many multiplayer FPSes. Dust 514 was the most recent game I've played that displayed this info. I never had to look away, pause, or anything. That info was already there and didn't take up space that I 'needed' to do anything else.

I get what this is doing. I just don't think it's 'furthering gaming' and thereby a 'game changer' so much as just providing an option on where to display certain UI elements.

@below

***I think it is too soon to judge smart glass, but I can already see plenty of uses. ***

I see uses for it as well. I'm talking specifically about using it while playing a game.

[nukeitall]

@cgoodno:

You actually used up your bubbles. Dang! :)

In short, there are plenty of uses and because you don't see it in any current games, or because you are unable to imagine a scenario when you need it, doesn't mean somebody won't find a use for it.

"IMHO, it won't. It's information that can be displayed on the screen, and has been in many multiplayer FPSes. Dust 514 was the most recent game I've played that displayed this info. I never had to look away, pause, or anything. That info was already there and didn't take up space that I 'needed' to do anything else."

Again, it all depends on the game design. Some things you see on the screen are limited on the screen because there is no space, and you automatically assume that is good enough, because you are playing within those frames.

An example of this is, the map could be super big and there could be a lot of gamers you are trying to coordinate. I know for a fact that in some games it is a total nightmare to locate things because it is so big and everything on the map screen is so small.

Personally, I find health bar and all such things to take up a significant amount of space. Loved the way Dead Space did their health bar. It took a way a barrier to immersiveness and made it an overall better experience.

I think it is too soon to judge smart glass, but I can already see plenty of uses.

It's kind of like Achievements, sounds totally ridiculous, but has been hugely popular that other console makers are following suite. Personally, the idea is completely stupid and flawed, yet I love them!

[Knight_Crawler]

I sorta of agree with you and say that its not a game changer (YET)but I can just imagine what developers will do with it on the 720.

Book mark this comment - the 720 controller will have a smart glass screen built into it...those rumors of that Valve 360 modded controller are starting to look pretty good about now :) http://n4g.com/news/1078857...

Edit: cgoodno - I agree with you and I found it annoying on the Dream Cast controller, thank god it was optional.

What would really be a good idea is if the develope some sort of VR glasses kind of like the attached link and implement game mechanics around it, this way we can see what is on the TV screen and our VR glasses without having to look away. http://farm8.staticflickr.c...

[Christopher]

I still believe that this is not something that will take off for gaming. The 'tablet' controller.

Why? Because I'm looking at a big TV screen and using muscle memory with a controller in my hands without having to ever take my eyes off the screen. I don't know in what world people think we're going to advance gaming by changing what we have to pay attention to with our eyes that weren't made to look at two things at once (let alone be able to comprehend it).

[BitbyDeath]

I hope the second screen doesn't take off.
It changes gaming too much imo and not for the better.

[FordGTGuy]

@cgoodno

It's not a tablet controller for the love of god have you even used it before criticizing it?

This is a racing game and looking away from the screen for a millisecond to see a GPS is not only easy while driving in reality but also easy in the game using smartglass.

@BitbyDeath

You're out of your mind 2nd and 3rd screens make gaming even more awesome. Some RTS games use second monitors to display a complete battleground overview(something smartglass could do) and most games allow for triple screen gaming.

[Knight_Crawler]

@Fordguy - I think he was referring to my attached modded 360 controller which is tablet controller.

@cgoodno - we will see how well the the tablet controller does when the Wii U comes out - people will either love it or hate it bit my money is on people loving it.

[Christopher]

***It's not a tablet controller for the love of god have you even used it before criticizing it? ***

Ford, read what I'm replying to. Stop trying to adamantly defend something when obviously I was responding to what someone else said that's not about Smart glass but about, as Knight_Crawler mentioned, "720 controller will have a smart glass screen built into it" which would make it... wait for it... a tablet controller.

@Knight_Crawler: Completely agree. Microsoft and Sony are both posed in one way or another to leap into that gap if WiiU takes off and is a success. And, as is always true, time will tell one way or another. I only share my opinions here.

[BitbyDeath]

@FordGTGuy,

Monitors for PC i can understand as they are generally around the same size but my TV is 65" so the difference between screens would be a bit much and i don't think the wife would appreciate me getting a second 65" TV to put next to it.

[Christopher]

Double post.

[WildArmed]

Disagree.

[Belking]

Love SmartGlass. Its great you can use your own hardware.

[mcstorm]

I agree with you. I think smart glass is a very good idea and it also shows how advanced the dreamcast was when it came out as it had a kind of screen built into thw controller as well as online play but again it was abit early for that tech back then.

It should be interesting to see what ms do with there next console as i see kinect and smart glass being a big part of what they do with the next gen.

I really like what microsoft sony and nintendo are trying to do with the tech they are giving us and using some of the same tech in different ways.

I cant get enough of forza horizon at the mo but the one thing i do miss from 4 is the head tracking when on the in car view. Its not a massive deal but i found my self using this alot in forza 4 especially in mp.

[Neko_Mega]

Forza is a good game, but thats about it. Smartglass isn't that big of a deal, so what I can use my phone to look something up. Couldn't I just Google it and find it without the Smartglass app?

[FordGTGuy]

I'm sorry last time I checked you can't "google" a real time GPS that even allows you to set routes while never even having to pause your game.

[SlavisH2]

thats pretty cool. I could have seen this as a wiiU exclusive feature in multi-platform racing games, but not now =)

[MasterD919]

It will get better down the line and I can see some real potential here with Smartglass...although it sounds similar to the new Wii U controller tablet-like device.

Yes, it's looking at two different screens but still, it's better than pausing or navigating through menus. Although, let's hope there isn't any reason for any more peripheral devices to be used as that will be overkill. Two screens is enough.

I like what I'm hearing about Halo 4 though...I'll definitely have that setup ready for my game.

[Ddouble]

A lot of the features for smartglass(and Wii-U in some cases) are things you can't do while your playing the game.

The article had changing playlists in dance central as an example. Unless you're playing with friends it isn't really useful.

Don't get me wrong smartglass has massive potential and the implementation in Horizon shows, but it works really well in his case because he has 2 screens next to each other like the Nintendo DS. It won't be as good when you have to keep looking down at a tablet/phone on your lap.

If you have the setup then go for it defnitely but if you don't it's not a big deal which is why it isn't a game changer IMO.

However it might make a killer combo with Watchdogs but lets wait and see.