Microsoft ready to spring an eye toy on us?

by Ben Zackheim { Mar 22nd 2005 at 9:18AM }

CVG is reporting that Microsoft may jump in the eye controller game with their next console, the ol' whats-its-name. You didn't know there was such a thing as the "eye controller game"? Funny, neither did we, until we read the article. But Sony's version is a hell of a lot of fun, and it does open up many more possibilities for the MS box. Especially if you consider the "customization" frenzy that Allard finds himself in. Oh yeah, he's quoted in the piece. The guy is everywhere these days.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

DannoHung @ Dec 18th 2005 8:46PM

Wasn't there an XBox Live video presentation at E3 last year? I seem to recall reading something about that, but it may have just been a rumor.

Eric Pobirs @ Dec 18th 2005 8:46PM

There was a demonstration of some online video chat stuff they currently only offer in Japan. Some of the inspiration there goes more to Apple's iChat camera accessory and an endless number of similar products in the last decade. The real trick is lining up an audience that has broadband and a static (aka little or no configuration needed) platform with the power to do the heavy lifting so the camera and software can be fairly cheap. Xbox Live users fit that description.

Saying that they're copying Sony is a bit short of the mark since Sony's EyeToy follows what Intel shipped with their webcams in the 90's. Harmonix, who has done several titles for Sony, demonstrated a lot of camera controlled activities at E3 several years ago as well. Going farther back, there was a product for the Amiga that did this in the late 80's. Expensive by today's standards but it was available for purchase.