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EyeToy: Hero to allow 1:1 swordplay this holiday
SCE London was on hand at the Edinburgh Interactive Festival to show off two new EyeToy games that take advantage of a newfound ability to track specific colors and – as excited as we are about EyeToy: Pom-Pom Party (we don't know what it is) – it's EyeToy: Hero that we're really here to talk about. You see, the first-person game not only comes with a "real toy sword," it promises 1:1 swordplay with that sword by tracking its fluorescent-green foam.You can use the sword to block enemy attacks, light your way in dark areas, and of course to attack. You'll even have to hide your sword behind your back in those dark areas if you want to avoid detection. Clever! The technology may sound like magic, but it's not without its limitations. Compared to Nintendo's new Wii MotionPlus upgrade, the 1:1 EyeToy tech is limited to two dimensions, has difficulty picking up subtle movements, and probably won't work in the dim light of your parent's basement. You can hit up some more pics and a full rundown of the presentation by clicking on that Source link. [Via Engadget]
Sony brewing up 1:1 motion tracking sword game for PS2 and EyeToy
This makes sense on very many levels, but at the same time we've gotta think those long-suffering PS3 owners will be a bit "hacked off" by Sony's announcement of a motion-tracking sword game headed for... the PS2. The PS2's market saturation (every man, woman and child on earth has at least two), and the EyeToy's general success (10.5 million units sold) make the combo the perfect trojan horse for fighting the good fight against Wii world domination. Sony's using new (sort of) color tracking technology to beef up the EyeToy's motion tracking that will let it detect and track brightly colored objects, instead of just motion, for two new EyeToy: Play games due for the holidays this year. The one we've really got our eye on is the kiddie-oriented Hero which is a first person perspective sword fighting game that comes complete with a fluorescent toy sword for battling kinda-almost-evil antagonists. Of course, none of this would be disappointing in the slightest if Sony would just work PS2 backwards compatibility into its fully capable PS3, and hey, maybe they'll surprise us. Nudge, comma, nudge. Wink. Wink.[Thanks, Seth B]
Cam-Trax is "coolest thing since ice," can provide Wii-like controls with any webcam
Hey, we've seen quite a few gimmicky game control schemes in our day. We thought we were jaded, believed that we could no longer be moved emotionally by a few dorks in a lab, promising to revolutionize video games with their insanity. Until we saw Cam-Trax. You'll get it in a moment by peeping the video after the break, but the basic gist is this: Cam-Trax offers highly accurate and responsive tracking of random colorful objects you hold in front of your webcam and tell it to track. Gameplay can be EyeToy-esque, but it can also be so much more, since the unit can track many objects in a full three dimensions. The video shows everything from a glorified game of pong to a FPS, and promises to control "any game" with "any webcam." Show us more, Cam-Trax.[Thanks, Chen D.]
Sony hires 13 PS2 game developers to increase sales in India
To give some perspective on the relative age of Sony's second console, think about this: if the PlayStation 2 were a human being, it would be a third-grader right about now, and would probably know more about long division than we do. While most eight-year-old consoles generally go the way of the Jaguar, Sony seems dedicated to the continued growth of their popular (though fairly aged) home console -- for example, in an attempt to extend their already impressive multinational reach, Sony recently hired 13 Indian game developers to create domestically-themed games and improve sales in India and the Middle East.Though nearly 3.3 million Indians already own PS2s, Sony is confident that creating games based on "Bollywood, mythology and culture" and featuring motion-sensing gameplay using the fairly neglected Eye Toy peripheral will further increase their dominance in the Indian market. Could these rupee-garnering efforts prolong the system's life until middle school, and the associated joys of puberty? Only time can tell.
See the promise of PS Eye software
The first round of PlayStation Eye titles already put everything on the EyeToy to shame; it's not even a contest. To prove that, check out this new compilation video, which showcases, not only the graphical power of the PS3, but also the potential of the PlayStation Eye. Europeans who own a PS Eye can already experience Tori Emaki and Mesmerize as they were just released yesterday on the PlayStation Network. Don't worry, though, fellow Americans, our time will come.
PlayStation Eye to come solo for $40
Until recently, some of you probably thought you'd be avoiding the PlayStation Eye, packed in, as it was with Eye of Judgment. Listen, if your spirit (read: your dignity) won't let you play a game that practically necessitates shouting "It's not Pokemon!" to passersby, we totally get it. If we weren't required to (and if it wasn't so much fun) we wouldn't be doing it either. Also: What else are we going to do with all these robes?Thankfully for the proud among you, the PlayStation blog has revealed that the cam will also be sold separately for $40 and will arrive alongside the Eye of Judgment pack on Oct. 23. But for just $30, can we recommend you go ahead and spring for the game? Two facts: 1. If EyeToy is any indication, there's probably going to be five games for the Eye, so you'll want to enjoy all of them. 2. Maybe you'll have a really dorky kid someday. Oh, and there's a third: Sometimes the house is empty and then its you time. If that involves cards and mythical adventure, who'll be the wiser?
Rant: SOE needs to offer more compelling PlayStation Store content
Sony Online Entertainment had a fairly sizable role in the PlayStation Store development thus far. They offered the original IP Cash Guns Chaos and helped fund Sidhe's Gripshift on its graphical upgrade for the PS3 reissue. Gripshift was enjoyable for the first 30 minutes we played it, but the tracks were so easy and uninspired, we soon lost interest. It was hardly compelling. Did we miss something here? Also, SOE helped secure the deal to port those Midway classics we've come to both tolerate and despise. Although not one Midway classic burned our eyes with anticipation, we've been so hungry for content, we downloaded nearly all those titles anyway. Perhaps we're not being true to the spirit of classics, but we envision something a little more meaty than an unabridged arcade port with online multiplayer. Mortal Kombat II fared okay in our book but Championship Sprint and Rampage definitely lost something in their translation, and it was mostly fun.
PlayStation Eye is future of game control, says LocoRoco dev
At the Nordic Game conference in Sweden last week, LocoRoco creator Tsutomu Kouno expressed indifference on motion sensing controllers. When asked on potentially creating a title for the Wii, he "didn't have much interest." Kouno-san seemed far more impressed with the technological possibilities of a peripheral like the PlayStation Eye, conjuring its controller possibilities. Harkening Minority Report similarities, he imagines playing a game "using hands, without even touching the controller." Sounds like someone read our earlier report on the 3-D mapping capabilities of the PlayStation Eye and may be cooking up something special for the PS3 audience. The PlayStation Eye is gearing up for a July release so stay tuned for more updates on new and unique uses for this peripheral.
High Stakes poker brings EyeToy-enhanced Network play
Sony Online Entertainment has just revealed a new downloadable title for the PLAYSTATION Network. The much too awkwardly titled High Stakes on the Vegas Strip: Poker Edition will be released this summer on the Network for $9.99. A variety of play modes will be available, including Texas Hold'em, Super Hold'em, Billabong, Tahoe and Shanghai. Each style can be played as limit, pot limit or no limit poker.The greatest draw for the title will be its online multiplayer, with up to six people playing at once. Players will be able to play quick matches, or choose to play through an entire season. There will be online leader boards, in-depth statistics, and customizable characters. Over time, players will be able to collect points and unlock new items for their characters.One of the unique features of the game has to be its integration with cameras. Users will be able to connect a camera to the PS3 to enhance the game play experience. "Being among the first PLAYSTATION Network publishers to release a game that takes advantage of the EyeToy™ USB Camera (for PlayStation®2) and other PC compatible USB cameras is not only exciting, but also puts the player into a realistic game play setting featuring live audio and video feed," said Michael Lustenberger, VP of Marketing for Sony Online Entertainment. Screenshots can be found, after the break.
PlayStation Eye: Sony's insanely advanced camera for PS3
This is not a toy: the newly unveiled Playstation Eye is one sophisticated piece of hardware. Some features of this new PS3 peripheral include: A sophisticated microphone with the ability to reduce background noise and focus on the spoken word for smoother, more accurate speech recognition and transfer The ability to capture videos and audio clips directly to your PS3's hard disk drive Engineered to perform well even in low-light conditions A range of different capturing modes, including slow motion and time-lapse Faster frame rate for improved tracking, responsiveness and smoothness Two position zoom lens for close-up and full body options A range of eye-catching visual effects to apply to photos and videos Bundled with EyeCreate™ editing software, which allows users to save and edit photos, video and audio clips In many ways, this camera is more advanced than most home camcorders. PlayStation Eye features 4 channel audio input and the ability to record at an insane 120 frames/second. The camera supports up to 640x480 video, and can record uncompressed or MJPEG video. Eye of Judgment, a card battling game demoed at E3, will be one of the first titles to take advantage of this revolutionary camera.
Sony announces PlayStation Eye webcam for PS3
Well it may not be the high-definition EyeToy HD IP webcam that gamers had been hoping for, but Sony has finally announced the (first?) official EyeToy for PS3, called simply the PlayStation Eye. With an array of four microphones, two zoom levels, and capture rate as high as 120fps, the Eye promises to deliver unprecedented cam-enhanced gameplay, although the VGA video resolution (and that's at 'only' 60fps) will probably nonetheless be a disappointment to some. Bundled in with the not-yet-priced package will be EyeCreate editing software, which allows users to add different effects to their content as well as record footage using time-lapse and slow-mo settings, among others. No word yet on other specs (still shot res?) or compatible games, either, but we imagine that a lot more info will trickle out as the Eye's planned summer release date grows nearer. Update: Well what do you know, Sony and Hasbro also announced Eye of Judgment, the visual, interactive-card driven game they demoed at E3 last year. Good luck keeping people from printing out their own cards from the internet, guys. Should be out in Europe this summer, and the rest of the world this fall.
Wave goodbye to EyeToy, say hi to PlayStation Eye
Sony Computer Entertainment of America announced today that the PlayStation camera may not be HD, but it hasn't fallen by the wayside either. Sony's little camera is growing up, dropping "toy" from its moniker, adding a built-in microphone and asking to be called just "Eye" when it comes out this summer. The camera's specs have been improved too, shooting 640 x 480 at 60 frames/second or 320 x 240 at 120 frames/second. Delicious. The camera will be bundled with the EyeCreate editing software which will allow you to edit video, photos and audio clips add visual effects and then save them to the hard drive. You'll also be able to use different capturing modes like slow-mo and time lapse. What we currently don't know is exactly what this technological wonder will cost you, or exactly when we'll be able to start pointing it at our crotches. Hit the release for more details, or the higher-res pic in the gallery.%Gallery-2809%
Camera support for next Burnout? Why? How?
Computer and Video Games has an extremely short story (more like a haiku, really) in which Criterion's Alex Ward hints at digital camera support for both the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions of Burnout 5. Our first thought upon reading this was, "Why does this game need camera support?" Is there going to be some sort of wave-your-hands-to-move- the-on-screen-steering-wheel mode? Is the game going to display our twisted, mangled faces as we react to the twisted, mangled cars on screen? Are they going to let us take pictures of our own car and then blow up an in-game model of it? Because that last one would be kind of cool.Our second thought was, "Hey whatever happened to the HD EyeToy promised for the PS3?" The thing was shown off way back at E3 2006 working with SingStar and gimmicky card battle game Eye of Judgement. Since then, the Sony camp has been dead silent on the peripheral. The best information we were able to find is a cryptic October interview with EyeToy designer Richard Marks that calls the device "a concept rather than a product line." Since the PS3 supports data from practically any USB webcam for video chats (even the Xbox Live Vision cam), has the idea of a specific, Sony-branded EyeToy fallen by the wayside?
Exercise without a shouting trainer [update 1]
Reuters discusses a trend of exercise games for people who want workout instruction without a personal trainer shouting slogans at them. While some of the article is overplayed and inaccurate -- DDR gets coverage and reportedly uses hands in addition to feet -- the PS2 game, Kinetic is also featured. Kinetic tracks player movements with the EyeToy camera while on-screen trainers direct the workout. Even though Kinetic was released almost a year ago, we've rarely seen it covered in the mainstream press. Anecdotally, people seem to like videogame workouts; we have friends who still use Yourself!Fitness. Maybe the exercise-game audience will expand as motion-tracking controllers become standard. We've contemplated controller-per-hand boxing game workouts. Maybe a developer will take it further with a barbell or rubber band kit for controller resistance. See also: W. Virginia to put DDR in all 765 public schools [Update 1: Thanks Sam and lolersticks for reminding us about the versions of DDR that work with the EyeToy.]
Behold, the eye... the Eye of Judgment!
Now, say that subject line to yourself in the voice of Dr. Byron Orpheous (of Venture Brothers fame). If that makes no sense to you, disregard that suggestion. IGN provides a summary of an interview with Mr. Watanabe, one of the brains behind the Eye of Judgment, an interesting twist on the card game genre. We'll do our usual and summarize the summary. "We use technology that can read 2D bar codes called cyber codes. The cards carry codes in this fashion. If the user lays it out in front so that it's picked up by the camera, it recognizes the code and can call out the character that's associated with the card's ID," says Watanabe. The game reflected Watanabe's movement in real time and even allowed him to "pet" the creatures on each card. Versus mode? There's a 3x3 grid where each player tries to take control of five spaces. There's also rumors of online services where you can battle people overseas. This will increase interest, so hopes Watanabe. Expanding the community, forming new interests... you know. Becoming more worldly, or something. "For people who've not played card games until now, we believe there are many who will take an interest from the visual impact and will want to try out the game. Also, we're making a real card game, so it will be something that core gamers can get a lot out of." Sounds interesting enough. Better than Uno? We'll see... The battle scenes use techniques like jet brushes and normal maps... not to mention a ton of particle effects. "The player selects the card, and puts it in a place where it can be placed. That's it. The controller is not used at all. Only cards. The cards are what you'd call the input interface." See, that's pretty cool. Watanabe's feelings about the PS3 are also conveyed: "The PlayStation 3 can be a new segment of digital entertainment that goes beyond the framework of previous consoles. We're at the point where designers, myself included, can realize ideas that we joked about before." So there you have it. A little bit of info and Watanabe's thoughts. Not much info about the actual game, regrettably, but it gives a little insight into the true power of the new Eye Toy. You can check out IGN's summary and a few cool screens, but we've got a feeling more new info will surface after the Tokyo Game Show.
Xbox's EyeToy -- oops, Vision
Sony isn't the only one utilizing the competition's innovations, as shown with the Xbox 360's new camera peripheral, hailed as Vision. Not the old "Captain America and the Avengers" Vision. Some may confuse the two. Some meaning one. The announcement of the camera isn't breaking news, but the price is right. About $40 nets you all the features of the old PS2 eyetoy, plus an extra feature or two. Consider Microsoft's little toy a mixture of the Wiimote and the PS2 eyetoy and you'll kind of understand. Other specs are detailed here.While this Vision thing doesn't exactly push the limits on its competition (Wii, PS3 EyeToy), it's still a sort of tool to limit the ability of the other consoles. Sort of a "we can do that, too, so just spend $40 instead of another $250 or, heaven forbid, $600." Not saying anything about stealing ideas, because in the business world, that's how advancement works. Of course, they don't call it stealing, but alas. If you had every next-gen console in your house (delivered by a stork made of gold... and chocolate), which would you use as a camera-esque toy of sorts?
Rumor: PSP redesign coming before March 07
People love talking about a redesign of the PSP. Heck, PSP Fanboy ran a contest to see fans make up their own crazy contraptions. Well, a very believable scan of PlayStation Magazine seem to suggest that Sony's working hard on one, and it's coming very soon: March 2007, two years after the US release of the handheld. The article states that Sony's taking a page from Apple (very much like Nintendo), and will provide the same core functionality, while providing a new aesthetic and non-game affecting additions. The biggest changes appear to come in size and memory: the theoretical system will have 8GB of hard disk space, be smaller, and have a retooled UMD drive, all at the same price as the current model. EyeToy will also be integrated into the system, and function as the upcoming external version for current PSP owners.A redesign has worked wonders for the DS, and Sony's portable can certainly benefit from the same image boost that Nintendo received when retooling their handheld. Sony just has to remember one thing: ensure that a redesign doesn't interfere with current PSP owners from playing future games. Also remember, until Sony confirms otherwise, we're taking this story as a rumor.Read - Page 1 of magazine scanRead - Page 2 of magazine scan[Via QJ]
PS3's Eye-Toy to incorporate 3-D mapping?
The Israeli company Prime Sense has been connected to Sony's upgraded EyeToy, boasting a new sensor and digital processor that provides real-time 3-D mapping. It essentially "perceives the world in 3D and derives an understanding of the world based on sight, in the same way that humans do." That's neat. You can read more about the link between Sony and Prime Sense at EETimes.The article goes on to explain how the EyeToy would see the user and the user can interact with things in the game without having to wear any equipment (pronounced: no Wiimote). Wouldn't it be neat to play a boxing game where your movements are monitored (juking and dodging) and you can physically (well, almost) punch your digital opposition? It's been kind of done at arcades -- you did have to wear sensor gloves, though. But the lack of equipment and using just a camera isn't all that great. The Wii does have a controller so you've got a little bit to work with. Which would you prefer: the Wii with a controller, or the EyeToy technology relying on a super-smart camera?
Rumor: Sony tries to copy Nintendo again
A gaming site of the Swedish variety, Game Reactor is reporting that Sony has filed a patent for a "cylinder like" accessory for the PS3 that closely resembles the functionality of the Wiimote. Now, we know the PS3 controller already mimics the Wiimote, but isn't this crossing the line?This new accessory supposedly works in conjunction with the PS3 Eyetoy camera to track movements in a three-dimensional space. Also, the accessory is said to be able to determine how it is not only held, but also how it is tilted. [Via Go Nintendo]
Sony's foresight prevents future patent-suit
According to StreetInsider.com, Sony has made an agreement with Collaboration Properties, Inc. to license an extensive patent worldwide. The agreement is for the standard terms and conditions for the field of videoconferencing. But this covers Sony's "video conference apparatus as well as other products including video-enabled personal computer products and Sony Computer Entertainment's PlayStation products." Let's think about this. Using video for computer products and possibly the PS3? This sounds like a preemptive strike to halt any future lawsuits from Sony's new EyeToy. Or maybe in response to this. So does this mean the PS3 will have the ability to videoconference, virtually slap the people on tv, or create Wii-like games? A lot of bases are covered, but there's always dirt covering the corners. Hopefully this helps a little bit, though.
