Many computer games just recycle old ideas. Rainbow Six Vegas 2 is the same. Really no new ideas. Old game concept, old game mode, old game engine, even an old storyline. But wait. There is something really interesting.

Rainbow Six Vegas 2 allows you to customize your alter ego. Okay, old idea, many other games do that as well. The really interesting part is that they have webcam support.

You can take a frontal picture of yourself, get quite precise instructions how to set up lighting and how to position your head. The same for a 90degree left turned head. After you are done taking these two pictures the game prompts you to click a few points (about 6) on each picture. After doing so you will get your own head put onto your character. Surprisingly this works really well. I assume the points required try to get the outline and a few spots in between for placing the picture as texture on the head wireframe.

Want to see my picture? the skin is slightly darker as I took it late in the night 8)

The quality is more than I did expect. Of course people are use to my long hair, while this elite soldier does have a nearly shaved hairstyle.

There are many aspects of this feature that are interesting:

  • Was this really on the feature list for the game?
  • Why did this feature make into the game but most of the rest is totally buggy?
  • Why does it work really well?
  • Are we going to see more of this customization in future games?