DigitalNoob

Let me start with a simple fact. I’ve never played EverQuest, neither 1 nor 2. This new bit of kit may very well make me change my mind.

SOE has officially released SOEmote, a unique update to EverQuest II. It adds two features into live chat: VoiceFonts and Facial Tracking. VoiceFonts allow you to modify your voice to make it sound more like how you want your character to speak [or, y'know, hide your gender, as that gender-bending is pretty common in online play]. Facial Tracking does exactly what it sounds like: It captures your face via webcam and translates your facial movements to your in game character. Not just your lip flaps, but your blinking, eyebrow raising, and Roxbury head bobs.

Personally, I’ve been waiting for a game to add in a feature like this for a long time. This is a huge step in virtual social interaction! Sure, your WoW character babbles a bit while you type, but this? This is amazing stuff. I’m hoping that SOEmote will find its way into other SOE games. Or, better yet, if they eventually license the technology! I’d love to see actual face tracking interaction in multiplayer everywhere. But, I digress.

Check out SOEmote in its face moving, voice warping glory [also, details about a contest below the video, so don't touch that dial!]

In celebration of the release of SOEmote, they’re having a cool little contest: Make a thirty second video showing off the features of SOEmote in a creative way, and you’ll be entered to win a trip for two to SOE Live in Las Vegas! Get more details here.

I dunno about you, but I think I’ll be giving EQ2 and SOEmote a test drive… Even if only to make that entry video!

Man, I love technology.