Introducing Tenori-On, from the mind that brought us Electroplankton
by James Ransom-Wiley 
{ Jul 24th 2006 at 4:25PM }
Toshio Iwai has been busy designing a musical instrument for the future. Dubbed 'Tenori-On,' Iwai's creation is a melding of light and sound contained in a portable matrix of LED switches used to draw musical compositions -- there's even a 2-player mode (with two Tenori-Ons).Reception of Iwai's previous project, Electroplankton, was a mixed bag. But will distancing himself from his 'gaming' identity help Iwai and his latest invention appeal to the mainstream?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Thomas Averin @ Jul 24th 2006 4:31PM
you forget to mention: electroplankton is not a game. it is a digital art project.
Christian aka nsomneia @ Jul 24th 2006 4:38PM
electroplankton was/is an insanely fun little game, especially when on your favorite barbituate, i can only imagine how fun this little 'tenori-on' could be .. .
.ed @ Jul 24th 2006 4:47PM
electroplankton + DS lite + power cable + wall mount = awesome
just having it on makes my life better.
TheMayor @ Jul 24th 2006 5:02PM
reminds me of teeple's AXE.nds
http://forum.gbadev.org/viewtopic.php?t=9451
pete @ Jul 24th 2006 5:08PM
There's videos of him using one of these thing on youtube, they were posted in November '05 (old news :P)
Just search Toshio Iwai and you'll find them easily.
Revolver @ Jul 24th 2006 5:09PM
There is video of this device I believe:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Ov-aqFe7hE&search=Electroplankton
Christian aka nsomneia @ Jul 24th 2006 5:21PM
if this is such old news then how come you guys didn't send a suggestion to joystiq ?? ?
nick @ Jul 24th 2006 5:49PM
Electroplankton a mixed bag? Like when? Everybody who tried seemed to get some sort of thrill off it. It was an experiment, and a totally cool and cute one at that. It wasn't made for people who hyphenate their names. That's for sure.
I will continue to post as long as Ransom-Wiley's still on his anti-DS steed.
edmo @ Jul 24th 2006 5:58PM
What stores have electroplankton? I have gone to all the EB Games, Gamestops, Wal-Marts, Targets in my area and no one has it.
Revolver @ Jul 24th 2006 6:26PM
edmo, I believe the game can only be bought online.
http://electroplankton.nintendods.com/buynow.html
jabbertrack @ Jul 24th 2006 6:51PM
Ya I had to get my Electroplankton from Amazon by way of Target Online.
I use it to hypnotize my 1 month old son
PRguitarman @ Jul 25th 2006 5:20AM
My local Toys R Us(in Town East, Mesquite, TX, if you live there) has loads of copies of Electroplankton for sale(although I don't see it on the TRU website), and I *think* I remember seeing a display case on a rack at EB Games. Not sure what the pricing is, though.
Anywho, that device looks pretty sweet! Any idea how much it'll cost and when it'll be released(if it isn't yet?)
Andre @ Jul 25th 2006 8:51AM
Iwai has a blog for his Tenori-On project: http://tenorion.blogspot.com/
Chris @ Jul 25th 2006 1:29PM
I have posted information on Toshios keynote talk at Futuresonic, where he showed some earlier games and Tenori-On:
http://www.pixelsumo.com/post/toshio-iwai-futuresonic
James Montagna @ Jul 25th 2006 2:25PM
Toshio Iwai is such a genius. Your entry asks...
"But will distancing himself from his 'gaming' identity help Iwai and his latest invention appeal to the mainstream?"
But Mr. Iwai has a much greater presence in the media arts world than in the game industry. I do not believe he is distancing himself from anything gaming. (He actually said he would consider something for the Wii at one point.) Tenori-On will be a success no matter what, and will fall into the hands of the proper audience over time. I've been aware of Tenori-On for a while now, and I will certainly purchase one!