The patent application states, “Television viewing tends to be a passive experience for a viewer, without many opportunities for the viewer to engage or have interactive experiences with the presented content. To increase interactive viewing and encourage a user to watch one or more particular items of video content, awards and achievements may be tied to those items of video content.

“Additionally, by tying the awards and achievements to particular items of video or advertising content, viewers may be encouraged to increase their viewership of the content, thus increasing advertising opportunities.”

They hit the key word on the head: Advertising. But even if you do things like watch an entire season of a TV show or a live event, achievements could be unlocked for the same.

But that’s not all – Microsoft is also planing to use Kinect in conjunction with the TV Achievements. How would it work? Why, hold up a product and scan it to unlock an achievement. It may also be used to detect if a viewer is in the room while watching TV.

The achievements themselves will contribute to a GamerScore of sorts which can be used to purchase new clothes and props, and even real-world rewards.

Source: GamesIndustry International