You're in the game

Microsoft's Xbox Live Vision Camera allows you to transplant mugs shots onto the faces of in-game characters, so you can, for example, really shoot your mates in multiplayer showdowns. Well, kind off...

Simply capture a portrait and side profile of your face using the Vision Camera and then, via the wonders of technology, a computer rendition is mapped onto a game character's head. Apparently, the level of detail in the end result is impressive, hitting close to photo-realism.

One of the first games to use this feature of the Xbox Live Vision Camera is Ubisoft's Rainbow Six: Vegas, where you'll be able to use it to personalise multiplayer avatars.

Perfect Dark on N64 nearly got there first though, using the Game Boy Camera to do pretty much the same. The feature was pulled at the last minute as parents and MP-types didn't like the idea of kids shooting their teachers in the face.

The Vision Camera officially launches in the UK this Friday and comes in two packages. One for £34.99 that includes the camera, one month's Xbox Live gold membership and a head-set. And one for £54.99, which features 12 months Live membership and three Live Arcade games.

Now that sounds cool.