Toys 'R' Us jumps the gun on Xbox 360 camera

by Joystiq Staff { Aug 20th 2006 at 6:55PM }

It seems one forgetful Toys 'R' Us out there has begun stocking Microsoft's Xbox Live Vision camera out on store shelves a wee bit early -- by a whole month actually. With visual proof posted on Flickr, one lucky guy has walked away with a peripheral that many 360 owners are very much looking forward to.

In case you're wondering what was inside the package, here's what it offered: A headset, the camera, codes for one month of Live Gold and a registration key for Uno. We guess TotemBall isn't really coming with the camera as previously reported, unless it is available in a totally different bundle option.

[Via Engadget]

Tags: Camera, Vision, XBL Vision, XblVision, Xbox live Vision, XboxLiveVision

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

XBudd @ Aug 20th 2006 7:01PM

Wow. I wish I was that lucky.
Wait... I wish the Toys R' US near me was that stupid!

Ya! -www.iTradeVideoGames.com- (:P)

Bill @ Aug 20th 2006 7:03PM

Please edit your post about TotemBall.

In my OXM, it states that TotemBall will be a FREE download, but you need the Vision camera in order to play it. It doesn't come with the actual retail package.

tactics @ Aug 20th 2006 7:04PM

oh jesus christ. well, this clearly shows that joystiq is blatantly biased to xbox 360. WHASSA MATTER? SLOW NEWS DAY?

-"superfan" tactics.

Raynre @ Aug 20th 2006 7:04PM

Raynre @ Aug 20th 2006 7:06PM

Strange... it cut off my comment... 0_o

Ahem...

I

Blue @ Aug 20th 2006 7:07PM

Charlotte Toys R Us locations have them for sale as well.

I bought one!

http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m316/outunderstars/IMGP1965.jpg

Raynre @ Aug 20th 2006 7:08PM

... Screw it, this is starting to get old...

Why is Microsoft shipping these this early if theyre not supposed to be on sale for another month? At the very most they should be sitting in an air conditioned distribution warehouse...

MIKEAWESOME @ Aug 20th 2006 7:10PM

1) I'm going to go check two Toys 'R Us' in my area tomorrow. Maybe I can come away a winner!

2) Sundays are always slow news days, this doesn't show that Joystiq is biased towards the 360, it merely shows that some Toys 'R Us staffers are a bit slow (or quick?).
The 360 is really the only current "next-gen" console out so it's going to get a brunt of the news as the other past consoles are slowing down with information as new titles are in production for the new consoles to be released this winter, it's only logic that the one console that's out would have the most news. It's not a matter of biases, but a matter of available news stories. You can only dig so far before you reach the bottom of the news barrel when Sony and Nintendo are keeping pretty hush about things.

If you still think Joystiq is biased then, simply put, don't read it if you're not interested. It's that easy! There are plenty 'a game news blog out there, there's no need to complain to one about "biases" when you could just go read another that lacks said "biases" (if there really are any when put into proper perspective).

Icelandman @ Aug 20th 2006 7:11PM

I'm not really worried about the software that accompanies the camera, I just want to know what the adoption rate is for the device? It is so much harder for the mass of casual consumers to get on board with these peripherals and I don't see Microsoft advertising this any better than sony did with the Eyetoy.

That said, they had so better have totemball...

bill pullman @ Aug 20th 2006 7:12PM

"Why is Microsoft shipping these this early if theyre not supposed to be on sale for another month? At the very most they should be sitting in an air conditioned distribution warehouse..."

everything ships early. when i worked at TRU, we sat on PS2s for 3 weeks before launch day. same with the Gamecube. it's better to get a product into stores early than late. simple.

MIKEAWESOME @ Aug 20th 2006 7:16PM

My guess as to the early release?

Supply and Demand.

Their console launch showed that they were in trouble when it came to supply equaling or surpassing demand, and with something like a peripheral (which they make the most money out of per item) they'll want to have as many available as possible.

Here's hoping I can get one! It seems as if it's Eastern Toys 'R Us' and, possibly, confined to South Eastern Toys 'R Us'. Shipping may indicate that they sent it to the points furthest from their location (as in, Redmond, WA). We'll see if it's spread further than that when I visit those stores tomorrow.

MIKEAWESOME @ Aug 20th 2006 7:22PM

Microsoft's marketing advantage?

Xbox Live.

They can easily, effectively, and cost-efficiently advertise to those who are most likely to purchase the item the day, week, or month on/before it comes out. Just look at the Madden countdown. They could just as easily make it a "Vision" countdown, where they release videos of gameplay with totemball or interviews with the guys from Ubisoft who are working on integrating it with Rainbow Six: Las Vegas, and all of this is being sent directly to the consumers who are most eligible to purchase said item. It really is quite an impressive strategy from a business standpoint.

Femm @ Aug 20th 2006 7:23PM

curses.. i'm so jealous.. down south Oklahoma.. the nearest Toys'R'Us is an hour away...

curses! :)

elementalwinds @ Aug 20th 2006 7:24PM

got mine. gamertag: elementalwinds

Brad Lee @ Aug 20th 2006 7:45PM

I guess I don't really 'get it.'

The XBox camera I mean.

I guess if some Eyetoy-esque games came out for low XBLA prices it might be kind of fun, but right now it just looks kind of stupid.

How dumb would you look playing Uno online being the only one that actually has that camera?

heavyness @ Aug 20th 2006 8:14PM

just checked a toys'r'us in lynnwood, wa... nothing

"I guess if some Eyetoy-esque games came out for low XBLA prices it might be kind of fun, but right now it just looks kind of stupid."

some developers might think of cool ways to tie the camera into gameplay. like for example, playing G.R.A.W. and having the camera track your head movements so you can look around corners easier. or putting your own face in the game...

more info on the camera
http://www.gamasutra.com/features/20060818/cifaldi_01.shtml

Brad Lee @ Aug 20th 2006 8:31PM

@ heavyness

I read the article and it sounds kind of interesting. But I won't be convinced this isn't just another gimmick until I see some games using it effectively.

"like for example, playing G.R.A.W. and having the camera track your head movements so you can look around corners easier"

And I don't think that would be very effective. If you tilted your head you wouldn't be able to see the TV.

JPRacer @ Aug 20th 2006 8:32PM

Can the camera work for the PC?

GunForHire @ Aug 20th 2006 8:41PM

#18, yes the camera works with PCs.

As for Totemball - maybe it was just due for release alongside the camera on it's OFFICIAL release date?

hey alex @ Aug 20th 2006 8:48PM

Sometimes retailers will sell items before their street date as a soft opening. Kinda of a way to test the waters so to speak. It also helps build word of mouth. A month ahead of time though is pretty early.

Brian @ Aug 20th 2006 9:35PM

Anyone find it in the Bay Area, CA? No luck at the Redwood City or San Mateo one.

sgmprime @ Aug 20th 2006 9:40PM

do a ebay search for xbox 360 Vision on ebay for more pictures,and or to get ripped off.

PeteL @ Aug 20th 2006 9:47PM

For anyone who got it - how much did it cost?

Rivithed @ Aug 20th 2006 10:02PM

it costs $39.99.

CUBS RULE BEARS RULE BULLS RULE @ Aug 20th 2006 10:24PM

any in illinois or chicago area

epobirs @ Aug 20th 2006 10:27PM

#15 Brad Lee

Those types of games are in the works but that isn't the primary selling point. This isn't intended to be an EyeToy clone. The big attraction is video chat support within casual games that already see heavy voice chat. Thus the bundling of Uno.

The video chat feature is a big enticement to those who wouldn't dream of doing arm waving exercises they associate with the EyeToy. Microsoft will likely offer developers source code that demonstrates how to implement the feature, or it may just be a running service of Xbox Live that devs can link to as needed. This saves space on user's hard drives that would be consumed by multiple games containing the same video chat code.

So, think of the camera as serving a function more like that of the Xbox Live headset than as an alternative controller for games. It can do that, too but the main selling point is enhancing the human interaction of XBL.

pockyninja @ Aug 20th 2006 11:10PM

Does anyone ever tell the employees that this isn't supposed to be on sale yet? Some guy who has no say in the matter losing his job because management neglected to inform anyone of the actual street date seems an awfully high price so somebody can get their toys a month early...
I mean really, who do you think is gonna take the fall for that? 10 years experienced management or part-time guy working through college?

The ZeroCorpse @ Aug 20th 2006 11:26PM

Let the Xbox 360 camwhores make their appearance now! Wheee!

I dread what I'll see now that the camera is out. I really don't want to play UNO with someone's hairy butt.

nojok3 @ Aug 21st 2006 1:24AM

I wonder if these stores sold Madden early as well

P.Femm @ Aug 21st 2006 1:59AM

#28...

more than likely the butts that might appear on the camera will belong to prepubescent boys that are too immature to handle suggested use of the camera.

and therefore won't have hairy butts.. ;)

CUBS RULE BEARS RULE BULLS RULE @ Aug 21st 2006 2:31AM

#28 and #29 the only people who can see the pic is the poeople on ur friends list so just delete ur friend if they do that

ill trooper @ Aug 21st 2006 2:43AM

Gamertag: HARRY BUTTS

CuddleFish @ Aug 21st 2006 8:51AM

Does Texas Holdem Poker support the camera? Strip poker on Xbox Live anyone?

hey alex @ Aug 21st 2006 10:08AM

Well a lot of people have the camera now. I couldn't find a game of UNO last night without running into at least one person with a video feed.

Now when people win you see them celebrating. Great. Just great.

Guest @ Aug 21st 2006 10:10AM

To me, this camera is kind of a bad idea to put in UNO. Who wants to see some 10 year old flail his arms and pick his nose when he wins?

Phranctoast @ Aug 21st 2006 11:47AM

this would be good for texas holdem. no longer safe with a poker face being a non issue like it usually is online.

joe smith @ Aug 21st 2006 11:59AM

I think this is great. My daughter can play Uno with her grandmother across the country and see and talk to her while playing. I think that's magic. I am not a big fan of gesture games or the EyeToy "let's pop balloons" stuff, but having vido chat deeply integrated into the system and in a lot of great casual games makes this a must for me.

Robert @ Aug 21st 2006 12:29PM

I bought this item at toy r us. I bought two one for me and the other for ebay. here is the auction link http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330020571030

They really screwed up selling these almost a month early!!

Super Duper MArio @ Aug 21st 2006 12:51PM

OMG
now i can show your mom my balls...

Freakizoid @ Aug 21st 2006 2:05PM

Toys R Us in Durham, NC didn't have any in , but they did have ALL VERSIONS of Madden 07 on the shelves.

Robotic House Plant @ Aug 21st 2006 4:27PM

Toys R Us in California said they weren't for sale yet. Check back next month.

xto @ Aug 21st 2006 5:12PM

Haha the Toys R' Us that I work at did the same thing, I noticed it yesterday but didn't say anything.

SliK @ Aug 21st 2006 5:18PM

Sell them to eBay if you have one you'll get rich instantly!

Mojo @ Aug 21st 2006 11:52PM

I visited 3 TRUs in Jacksonville, FL today. The first two had them and were sold out (must be fellow 'stiqers). I picked up a pair from the third one and they had a couple left. I think it's great for the kids and their grandmother in Maine.

JJ Evans @ Aug 22nd 2006 11:30AM

Hey gang...I have found a store selling them....The Toy's R Us in the Altamonte Springs area in Orlando, Florida has about 15 or so for sale. I picked up one...and it is NICE! Dont believe me...call for yourself..

407-834-7300.

PS: This information is for you to go out a buy a camera early....NOT buy 10 and Hike up the price on ebay. Give others the same opportunity I am giving you...to buy one at REGULAR RETAIL PRICE!

Johnny boy @ Aug 22nd 2006 9:45PM

ahah I bought 15 from the TRS in san fran cali, hahahah I sold them all on ebay except for one of course ;), and I make 362$ :):):)

dustin @ Aug 26th 2006 2:43AM

even tho i currently work at a toys r us, and i worked at game crazy as a manager for 2 years, i didnt buy one. i think i will wait until the official date. microsoft has a thing for making a select few feel good, and even more feel left out. anyone starting to catch on? i feel like roddy piper putting glasses on in a john carpenter flick from the 80's.