What can I say? Is this Sony’s attempt to merge HDTV and the AIBO and hope that it catches on like Nintendogs? We’ll see, but the interactive nature is interesting. The real question is whether or not they have incorporated the AI from the AIBO in the software. If it could develop and learn, this concept could have some merit. Nothing like giving your kids a chance to have a pet that can’t make a mess to see if they will get bored or not.
But no matter how cute or intelligently programmed such a virtual pet is, it can’t curl up on your lap on a cold winter’s night. Though I love my LCD TV, it’s not the same. And though pets aren’t inexpensive, the cost of a PS3, HD display, an EYE camera, and this software can go pretty far to adopting and taking care of a little critter from your local animal shelter.
Still, if you aren’t sure that your kids are quite ready for the responsibility of a pet and you already have the hardware, this might be an opportunity to test the waters. (My daughter really thinks that the reason cats have tails if for her to be able to grab them. I hope that she doesn’t have to learn that lesson the hard way.) Also, if you’re child has pet alergies, (my son appears to be allergic to dog and cat dander), This could give everybody a little pet fix without the Benadryl.
Yet again, this could just be a “gateway pet.” You be the judge!
To all the families, to all the gamers, and to all the families with gamers - Happy Thanksgiving from Game Apparent!
Sony seems to have wished PS3 owners with the PSEye a Happy Thanksgiving as well. Two new titles appeared Tuesday of this week just in time for your holiday gathering. Both are kid-friendly too!
The first is Aquatopia and I would describe it as an electronic fish tank. It’s very pretty and you don’t have to worry about cleaning the water! The Eye makes it look as though you can see your own reflection in the tank. Many of the fish are attracted to movement so when you move your hand, some fish will follow it. Also, moving your fingers at the water’s surface feeds the fish.
It may be a simple diversion, but at $1.99 USD it’s hard to beat. Also, it might give the kids something interesting to do while you’re dealing with the after effects of the turkey and it’s tryptophan. (Yes, I know that the effects of tryptophan within turkey are exaggerated, but for whatever reason, we’re always exhausted.)
The second download is a little more ($4.99 USD), but it offers a more traditional game experience. It’s called Operation: Creature Featureand it’s a lot like Lemmings with an Eye interface. You basically guide these little creatures with your hands in order to get them out of harms way. Each level poses new challenges. It’s very simple to learn and it poses enough of a challenge that young and old will find some entertainment value.
I know that we have much for which to be thankful and I hope that you all do too. Take care and enjoy your families!
Sony’s original console camera for the PlayStation 2 was called the EyeToy. It was a USB camera that enabled the player to view him/herself on the screen during gameplay. Many titles took advantage of this and were created around the technology including the Play series as well as Antigrav, Groove, Kinetic, and Sega Super Stars. Though the specs state that it has a resolution of 640×480, this is the maximum capability of its pixel array and can only be used for stills. It normally runs at 320×240.
In comparison, the Eye functions at a resolution of 640×380 @ 60fps. (Though this isn’t quite DVD quality, it’s much better than VHS.) The camera will also be able to run at twice the speed at a lower resolution in order to capture motion more fluidly for game interaction. The camera is also designed to function well in low light situations (an issue that limited the usability of the original EyeToy). It also boasts a 4-microphone array to help better isolate sound from background noise. This will allow players to communicate with others without resorting to headsets (This same technology is used in dedicated video conferencing hardware that costs $5000 and up!)
This device will enable users to capture their own video and edit it with a free downloadable application from the PlayStation Network called EyeCreate. It can also be used as a video conferencing device which can communicate with up to 6 people at once. And for those who own a PS3 to play games, there will be titles for the Eye as well including The Eye of Judgment and the Trials of Topoq.
If for no other reason, I find the Internet-based videophone aspect of this enticing. If Wil Wheaton was pleased to keep in touch with his kid at college through Xbox Live and a headset, I wonder what he would say about some facetime (without long distance charges). I plan to be getting one of these. Who knows, maybe I’ll be seeing you soon?
