Console Cameras: Totally Underused

With the Xbox and PS3 both supporting these internet cameras, I have to say that I think they are totally misused and underdeveloped in games. Besides the PS3 game Eye of Judgement, which uses the camera to look at playing cards, capture scanned data and bring the cards to life on screen, there is no really good software out there for consoles that make really creative use of the peripheral.

I'd say, roughly, 90% of the games that have camera support are for mapping your face onto character bodies. I'm sure a lot of people like that feature in some games, but I think it's a singular use for a camera on a console that can fold virtual proteins for science.

The Wii's remote controls have garnered more side projects and homebrewed applications based off using a Wii-mote as an infrared camera. I mean, this guy is a Wii legend now. So why doesn't Microsoft or Sony take a real camera and come up with some 3-d spatial gaming or even better communication apps like an Xbox Live Skype or a PS3 Instant Messenger.

No, they'd rather come up with their own version of the Wii-mote.