For all the talk about Microsoft's Project Natal, one man isn't impressed -- in fact, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata told the Financial Times that he's quite literally seen it before. Or, at least, he's seen motion-sensing cameras before.

Iwata told FT that Nintendo had previously experimented with camera-based motion sensing, but found better results with the accelerometers that became the basis of the Wii Remote. "Until they say when they're releasing it, how much it costs and what software it comes with," Iwata said, "we won't know whether that is the route we should have taken. However . . . I think they couldn't choose to release exactly the same thing."

Of course, it must be noted that pretty much everyone has seen motion-sensing cameras in games before, because Sony sold a lot of them starting in 2003. The idea isn't new, and thus it's not at all surprising that Nintendo has tried it. It's even less surprising that Iwata is psyching out Microsoft by downplaying the technology.

[Via Seattle PI]

While conducting some tests for SCEI, a researcher at Sony's HQ in Japan realized that the PSP Go!Cam could see a visual spectrum far beyond human vision. Scattered throughout the world is a mystical energy that only the PSP camera could detect. Clearly, this is the beginning of something big!

However, what if this energy fell into the wrong hands? Couldn't someone harness the energy for the purposes of evil? What if someone were to create a weapon with this mysterious energy?

This meta-story sets the stage for Sony's upcoming camera-required PSP game, Invizimals. Those lucky to see the behind-closed-doors demonstration at E3 were charmed by its high-tech devilry and innovative concept that many have been quick to call "Pokemon ... on crack."

It's real, folks. We first learned of EyePet over a year ago, and approached it with both excitement and skepticism. When we had a chance to see EyePet running on PS3 live, we were blown away at how what we originally thought was a concept video had been completely real all along.

For those not in the know, EyePet is a virtual pet simulator that takes advantage of the PlayStation Eye. With the addition of a "magic card," players will be able to play with a virtual monkey that lives in augmented reality. The television will display what the PlayStation Eye sees: you, and your body. Your on-screen pet will then be able to respond to all your actions. You'll be able to virtually pet the creature on the head, grab a bowl of food and feed it, and play a variety of mini-games. The tactile sensation of owning a pet will be gone, but in its stead will be an unworldly adorable creature that uses tech that feels like it's from the future.

Perhaps it's best summed up with video, as EyePet truly needs to be seen to be understood. You can do so many things with the critter, and his incredibly detailed and lifelike animation makes this "game" all the more believable. For example, you can try sweeping your arm across the bottom of your TV view, and the pet will jump over your arm. When your pet goes to sleep, you can clap loudly and get it to wake up ... (although it might be grumpy!)

Ubisoft has revealed a camera-based fitness game, coming this holiday season for the Wii. Your Shape comes with a custom USB camera that plugs right into your Wii, and will use the visual input to determine whether you're slim or sloppy, and then give you a trainer-based workout designed to send you in the right direction.

It's a good thing Ubisoft is being so innovative here -- the Wii fitness market is virtually untapped so far. Could a game with a casual interface designed with the promise of a more healthier lifestyle actually sell? We'll have to wait and see -- the bundle is due out sometime this year.

Rumors of Microsoft's intent to ride on Nintendo's motion-sensitive coattails are nothing new, and while nothing has been announced, the Wall Street Journal suggests that a new motion-detecting camera from Microsoft could be unveiled as early as next month's E3.

Citing unnamed sources reportedly close to the project, the rumored camera captures a player's body motion and translates it onto the screen. The functionality reads more like the EyeToy than the Wii, though the WSJ's sources say that the rumored peripheral will offer "more accurate control over games" than other cameras. Microsoft was said to be in talks to purchase 3D camera company 3DV earlier this year, tech the sources say is behind the camera. Whatever the case, the camera, if true, is likely a ways off, with the WSJ's sources further noting that the device won't see the light of retail until sometime next year.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Has your long-held habit of carrying a baby grand piano with you everywhere you go begun to cause irreversible damage to your easily pliable spinal cord? The Monday Night Crew gang discovered an easier way to tickle ivories touchscreens on the go by using a neat trick in the "Graffiti Mode" on your DSi. Basically, the music note stamp in graffiti mode makes a sound that changes pitch depending on where you place it on the screen. By placing these stamps over a cleverly crafted grid, you can wow your friends with MIDI renditions of your favorite songs. It's a neat trick, and far less damaging on the ol' sacroiliac. Check out a video demonstration after the jump!

While we're still not fully convinced the DSi is the second coming of awesome, some of the features are undoubtedly neat. We spoke a little about the camera and some of the photo manipulation possibilities the other day, but another feature of the DSi (that also has nothing to do with gaming) is the ability to create an album-of-days, or basically, a photo diary on your DSi.

It's a neat idea, considering a lot of people carry their handhelds around nearly everywhere, though it certainly won't convince anyone to buy the reimagined handheld by itself (probably). What do you think of the feature? Is it something you would use, provided you had a DSi?

As far as the Nintendo DSi's new features go, most of the opinions we've heard seem to think unkindly of the upcoming hardware's cameras -- some calling it a gimmick that needlessly raises the system's price, others describing it as an absent-minded addition that hardly competes with their digital cameras or phones.

As someone who runs a column on photographs about handheld gamers, however, I'm thrilled about the whole deal! I expect to see a lot more image submissions from our readers after next, um, April, when the updated handheld finally comes to the States.

With only eight days before the DSi debuts in Japan, Nintendo has put out a trailer with a guide for the portable's new features, including the camera and image manipulation capabilities. Join us past the post break for the four-and-a-half-minute clip.

Whether or not you're excited about the DSi's camera(s), it's sure to have some potential for future fun. Is there anything you'd like to see done with the handheld's included cameras? Any particular apps? Do you want to make faces? Wave things in front of the camera? Just take random pictures of friends who don't realize that's what you're doing with your DS?

With the exception of LittleBigPlanet and The Eye of Judgment, there hasn't been much reason to dust off the Eye. Well, put it to work! Get the camera off its lazy butt and have it become a fully functional PC webcam. The NUI Group is offering detailed instructions on how to get the Eye camera to work on your PC, with easy to install drivers.

[Via N4G; Thanks, Jon K.!]

Last night's breaking rumor about a DS redesign came seemingly out of nowhere, but with the next Nintendo conference right around the corner, maybe it's not such a surprise as all that. What we did find surprising were the purported changes in the redesign. Camera? Music? Interesting, sure, but how many of us are already strapped with devices that handle those functions just fine? Is this what you would have chosen for the next DS?

One of our longtime readers, Brian B., recently attempted to purchase the PSP camera, Chotto Shot. However, when he attempted to purchase the product, he got a strange, foreboding message from the retailer. "Due to a safety issue and high defect rate, we are issuing a product recall to anyone who has purchased a PSP Chotto Shot Camera after July 1st, 2008. Even though these units have been tested, we have been getting reports that some of these units have been running extremely hot, and have emitted a burning smell from the unit. An already dangerous and unfortunate situation, this could lead to the even more serious event of a fire starting from the unit."

According to the retailer, "the manufacturer is already aware of the problem." Considering the camera is not available in America, we cannot contact a SCEA representative to comment on this problem. However, a look at both import sites Play-Asia and NCSX show that the PSP camera is currently not in stock.

When you consider the regular price of The Eye of Judgment is $65, this deal becomes readily apparent. This Eye-enabled card game used real cards and the PS3 to create an experience unlike any other -- Yu-Gi-Oh! cosplayers, this game's for you. Considering it includes the (rarely supported) PlayStation Eye, the price isn't too shabby. You can pick up it for $40 at Circuit City, but your local Wal-Mart may also have it for even cheaper: $30. Check your local store to see if you can get lucky.

(P.S. Pick up the game and you'll be just in time for the world tournament, too.)

[Via CAG]

You with the face: listen up. As beings of supreme beauty, we're often asked how we maintain our flawless complexions and glossy, healthy hair. The truth is this: we have no idea. It could be our steady diet of Cheetos, pizza and cereal, combined with the sixteen hours a day we spend in front of our PC monitors, but it's probably all just natural.

For those of you not blessed with such a becoming appearance, all is not lost. Sega has teamed up with Japanese cosmetics maker Shiseido to develop Project Beauty -- full translated name Shiseido Beauty Solution Supervised Exploration Center Project Beauty -- a non-game dedicated to the kind of over-the-counter tips and advice you'd expect to receive in any cosmetics department store.

Project Beauty's most tantalizing hook, however, is that it will ship with the sleek camera add-on that came with Otona no DS Kao Training (Adults' DS Face Training) when it launches in Japan this November 27th. There's also a cheaper version sans camera, for all those people who bought Face Training and have had to wait for months for more software that supports the add-on.


[Via GAME Watch]

Although GPS will be coming to American systems by this holiday season, one other peripheral may not see the light of day. The PSP camera seems unlikely to come to the US, due to its low capabilities. According to Siliconera, a SCEA representative told them that the 1.3 megapixel camera peripheral simply isn't powerful enough to compete against other devices, such as camera phones. Unless there are actual EyeToy games to support a PSP camera, there's very little reason to bring the camera over to the US.

For now, it appears that those interested in getting the PSP camera will have to import Chotto Shot.