Hacked PlayStation Eye does desktop VR
by Griffin McElroy 
{ Feb 2nd 2008 at 3:05PM }
Yeah, we know an extremely similar program using a Wiimote was shown off a little over a month ago (OMG SoNy riped of Nitendo!!), but Wiis are still pretty hard to come by -- that's why we're sure many of you will appreciate the hard work of Thomas Miller, who has created an immersive desktop VR display using a PS3 dev kit, a PlayStation Eye, and a few homemade tools. Seriously, this guy is appears to be the MacGyver of peripheral modification, only without the debonair charm of Richard Dean Anderson.
It appears Miller wouldn't mind sharing this cool bit of technology with interested developers, so again we ask: How 'bout it, Sony?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Vince @ Feb 2nd 2008 3:13PM
oh god, the copying never stops.
Trickob @ Feb 2nd 2008 5:23PM
yeah, i wish people would stop trying to modify and improve upon other people's ideas. progress is lame...
Brian Fantana @ Feb 2nd 2008 3:21PM
Now all we need is someone to do this with the 360 vision cam.
Indo Jimbo @ Feb 2nd 2008 3:39PM
This is amazing! I would imagine the same could be done with any webcam of the same quality including the Xbox Live Vision cam.
Noshino @ Feb 2nd 2008 3:42PM
Hey Griffin, I think you should pay a bit more attention to the background information
1) Despite the fact that on his blog he does mention all the previous work he has done with body tracking, on the video he pretty much gives full credit to Johnny Lee.
2) Johnny Lee doesn't work for Nintendo, so how is this "Sony copying Nintendo" again?
3) "How 'bout it, Sony?"? You did hear what he said right?
"We are going to take this code and putting up on the PS3 developers network so that any PS3 developer can grab a hold of it and use it in their games if they want"
Also, he does work for Sony, it not only says it on the video, but if you make a background profile of him, you can find that he workd for SCEA, and that he worked on GoW I & II
Oh, and unlike the program made by Johnny Lee, which was running on his laptop, this one is actually running on the PS3...
Godmil @ Feb 2nd 2008 5:17PM
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humour
Noshino @ Feb 2nd 2008 5:24PM
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/ignorance
Raikage (Wii FC 5508 0487 4434 0992) @ Feb 3rd 2008 12:19AM
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douche_bag
BPM 6th Mix MAX @ Feb 3rd 2008 12:38AM
http://encyclopediadramatica.com/So_i_herd_u_liek_mudkip
colin @ Feb 3rd 2008 4:32AM
LOL!
Mikeawesome @ Feb 2nd 2008 3:44PM
"Lemme show you how it works."
I don't know exactly why, but the way he said that and the way he placed his head and stared into the camera...
wayyy creepy.
Dopple Boppler @ Feb 2nd 2008 7:20PM
Thank God someone else thought that too. I thought I was taking crazy pills.
StevenRafael @ Feb 2nd 2008 8:53PM
He sounds like he's stoned.
Moofree @ Feb 2nd 2008 3:55PM
"but Wiis are still pretty hard to come by"
Wiimotes aren't.
Brad Mecoli @ Feb 2nd 2008 3:56PM
great, now let's see him do that without a PS3 devkit that, you know, no average consumer has.
Noshino @ Feb 2nd 2008 4:04PM
err...what does the average consumer have to do with this? I mean, we all already know that the average consumer can't program...so what is your point?
Then again, he IS NOT an average consumer, he is actually a developer, and also, like Johnny Lee, has background history of working on the Body Tracking subject....
Brad Mecoli @ Feb 2nd 2008 4:23PM
Just because you can't program doesn't mean that you couldn't just grab the software provided to you.
Johnny Chung's Wiimote method is a bit more practical, since the Wiimote communicates with a PC. This guy is using a devkit, which costs quite a bit of money. I'd be a bit more impressed if he actually got the webcam working with a PC. I bet it wouldn't be too difficult either, since I'm betting that Sony used a commonly used "chipset" for the camera, much like the eyetoy.
Noshino @ Feb 2nd 2008 4:30PM
how is Johnny's version more practical? using a Wiimote as the camera seems more practical than using the PS Eye?
"This guy is using a devkit, which costs quite a bit of money."
Yes, he is using a devkit, because unlike Johnny, who is just running the program on his pc, Thomas went a step further and tweaked it to run on the PS3...
"I'd be a bit more impressed if he actually got the webcam working with a PC. I bet it wouldn't be too difficult either, since I'm betting that Sony used a commonly used "chipset" for the camera, much like the eyetoy."
ugh, you aren't making sense anymore...
Brad Mecoli @ Feb 2nd 2008 4:56PM
ok, while true that having it work on his devkit is a rather nice touch, it still doesn't change the fact that having it on the PC would be better. For one, think of install base. I mean how many people have a PS3 (or any next gen console for that matter) in comparison to how many people having a PC? Also, PCs are a lot easier to program for and it's a lot more accessible. I mean compare the amount of programmers with access to a PS3 devkit to the amount of programmers with a PC. If this was done via PC there is a lot more potential for hobbyist programmers to pick up the code and modify it accordingly. Then again, I'm guessing this could be done with any camera. In that case uhm... I guess him doing it on the devkit does have some value, so I guess you do have a point. Still though, it would have been nice to see him getting the camera working on the PC. What I still would like to know is how is how this going to develop into anything other than a proof of concept demo. I mean, could this be compiled and run on PS3 Linux? Anyway yeeaah... I think I just blew my own point out of the water when I realized that you could use probably any cam on the PC while typing up my response... oh well D:
Bluebrake @ Feb 2nd 2008 5:39PM
The point was never to run this stuff on the PC. Johnny Lee used a PC because there was no way to write it for the Wii. The idea from the start was to inspire real developers to use this technology in actual Wii (and now PS3) games.
Hyams @ Feb 2nd 2008 6:32PM
Dude, you're missing the point. He doesn't want consumers to download the program to run on their PS3 - he wants PS3 devs to make games based around this technology.
Brad Mecoli @ Feb 2nd 2008 7:39PM
yeah I sorta realized that I missed the point in my last post... eh, everyone makes mistakes sometimes you know? I'm just the type to want to play with the stuff hands on and such... I dunno. >.>
TomCo @ Feb 3rd 2008 1:40PM
I got bored about half way through when I realised that no one knew what the fuck they were talking about.
Clearly this guy made a quirky little (open source?) app and he's putting it out there for PS3 dev's to implement, at their lesiure, into their projects. I don't see where the PC port comes into it.
Im sure there are plenty of similar applications out there if only you care to look.
Sometime's I think most of you guys come from the Westwood school of though when it comes to programming.
"PRUSS X BUTTON TO INITIALISE VARIABLE!!!11!, PRUSS START TO COMPILE"
Tarvus Domicus @ Feb 2nd 2008 3:58PM
Pssh, all that work just to play a game that requires you to stumble around like a drunk, looking at targets?
No thanks.
Noshino @ Feb 2nd 2008 4:02PM
uhh...that was the tech demo?....
He is just showing how the program works, so that at least some developers give it a try and decide to implement it on their games...
Saria the Cat @ Feb 2nd 2008 4:03PM
I still think we should give Johnny Chung some credit (wii-mote mod guy), since he provides all his work, methodology, and even the programs he uses for free on his website. This program looks exactly like Johnny's, so I'm sure the guy got inspiration from him.
Duh @ Feb 2nd 2008 4:24PM
He did give credit to Johnny Lee, and even notes that the program was from Johnny Lee's website.
Saria the Cat @ Feb 2nd 2008 6:00PM
I didn't say the guy didn't give credit. Joystiq didn't, really. I'm just saying, it's not as amazing when someone else has done the exact same thing before.
Cramer Qualls @ Feb 2nd 2008 4:22PM
Well guys, remember that Mr. Lee's was using a computer to run his program. It was most definitely NOT being run on a Wii.
This guy has actually put it onto a PS3 dev kit. He's taking Johnny Lee's dream of getting it onto a system and actually making it a possibility.
Johnny may have asked Nintendo to do it, but Thomas Miller has made it a reality on PS3, ready to be put into something. So kudos to both Johnny and Thomas!
blackbird @ Feb 2nd 2008 6:42PM
You fail to realize that it is possible to install "other OSes" onto the PS3, which basically makes it a computer.
On the other hand, i would be suprised if this worked on a Wii Dev Kit.
TomCo @ Feb 3rd 2008 2:21PM
Computers aren't defined by the ability to install alternate operating systems.
The wii is as much a computer as the PS3, or even a simple calculator.
Fernando Rocker @ Feb 2nd 2008 4:29PM
My comment was deleted =(
Noshino @ Feb 2nd 2008 4:32PM
sigh, it was an obnoxious comment to begin with...
Fernando Rocker @ Feb 2nd 2008 4:33PM
=(
deaftly @ Feb 2nd 2008 4:42PM
You're lucky it was just your comment and not you entirely
Fernando Rocker @ Feb 2nd 2008 5:02PM
deafly...
Why do you hate me? =(
simmcity @ Feb 2nd 2008 5:48PM
No one hates you, they hate your biased comments.
itouchmyself @ Feb 2nd 2008 7:38PM
@deaftly, omg dont tease us like that. Fernando, really banned and joystiq turns into a readable blog.
deaftly @ Feb 2nd 2008 4:39PM
OMG SoNy riped of Nitendo!!
Franssu @ Feb 2nd 2008 4:57PM
Cool stuff. Could be very fun with the right kind of game. To control the head of a FPS character like thos would be awesome, but also, I fear, a bit nausea-inducing.
Bluebrake @ Feb 2nd 2008 5:42PM
Nicely done. The tracking video of the 2 LEDs looked awfully weak/flickery, but when he actually started the demo it seemed to handle the job just fine. I wonder how well it would work if he were standing more than a few feet from the camera?
Come_on_people_wake_up @ Feb 2nd 2008 6:19PM
Seriously people. Getting all up in arms about this is pointless.
1) Nintendo will NEVER use Johnny Lee's tech. IT GOES AGAINST THEIR NEW BUISNESS MODEL OF "SIMPLE AND ACCESSIBLE TO GRANDMODTHERS." I cant think of a way to Wii-fy Johnny's method since it requires you to point a wii-mote AWAY from the tv. Go tell that to grandma, she's likely to have a fit.
2)Thomas Miller's method, though alot more streamlined because it uses the playstation eye and not a Sixaxis Controller propped up above your tv set, would still require 2 add-on peripherals for any game using the system to function. Even in a perfect world where devs would create a game that would fit alongside the likes Aquatopia and other PSeye games, WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU GONNA "DOWNLOAD IR-EMMITTING GOGGLES"!!
Hyams @ Feb 2nd 2008 6:30PM
Well, it'd be another PS Eye game - like Eye of Judgement.
I'd imagine Sony could easily release a cheap set of Playstation branded IR emitting googles, so that wouldn't be a problem.
blackbird @ Feb 2nd 2008 6:55PM
Considering how most people have at least 2 wii remotes(see:Wii play sales), this shouldn't be a problem. Just stick a wii remote near the tv, and it'll be fine. No need to purchase another accessory.
One way to solve the problem with the goggles is put them in a pack in with the software(like Warhawk/Wii Play). The goggles could just have a mirror on it, reflecting the sensor bar's IR lights, so you wouldn't have to supply another accessory with batteries. A simple mirror would provide IR lights to as where your head is.(unless they can find a way to create a mirror small enough to fit the goggles, the ir emitting ones will have to stay)
BPM 6th Mix MAX @ Feb 3rd 2008 12:44AM
The goggles! They do something!
Hyams @ Feb 2nd 2008 6:28PM
If Sony make a PSN game based around this, I may well have to pick up a PS Eye.
playwhutyalike @ Feb 2nd 2008 6:47PM
"ripping off Nintendo" *rolls eyes*
I don't like FPS for the fact that you have to use one stick to look around and one to move. Metroid Prime ruined it for me with their sweet control setup. Sometime after Prime I rented a 360 with Gears of War and could not play that game. Believe me I tried like a mo fo to get back into that control scheme. I probably just suck at video games.
Anything that can enhance your game for the better, I'm all for it. Nintendo did it first, yeah we know. I give Nintendo credit though for ushering in a new way to play. If people want to improve on that for their console of choice, cool.
NumberTwo @ Feb 2nd 2008 6:50PM
In a perfect world perhaps but what was so appealing to most people when they saw Johnny's setup was the idea of a homestyle VR-Arcade. One could hope for a cheap usb IR camera propped up above the wii sensor bar with cheap IR goggles, but again Nintendo is likely to say no.
quickshade @ Feb 2nd 2008 6:56PM
First off, Noshino please leave. Why do you come here and argue with everyone because they say something you don't like? Honestly have you read Joystiq ever, cause they have a big sense of humor and it reflects in their posting. And since when did Joystiq become known for providing all the facts. Never, thats why it's a great site. You get the info you want without reading stuff that normal people could care less about.
And also, it's a nice demo and the guy did a great job. But I highly doubt any developer is going to take advantage of that. First off they have to have a camera, second they have to wear something goof and all for an effect that most people won't care for. I'm not bashing it and all, but him saying he's putting it up on the developer network is pointless as I doubt any developer will really take it seriously.
NumberTwo @ Feb 2nd 2008 7:03PM
If no one cares about the effect, why is this thread so goddamn long? Why are most threads that link this video just as long if not longer? From multipanel arcade games to first person shooters, you cant deny that the goal of more and more games is total immersion. If this is one way to acheive it, people will persue it, plain and simple. And if you cant take someone with an opposing opinion you should really stay away from comments sections.