johno: (Default)
johno ([personal profile] johno) wrote2003-12-28 11:55 am

EyeToy

One of the things that is using up a lot of time on the PS2 is the EyeToy.

Very simply it's a USB video cam and set of 12 simple programs, but what is different is that you are the controller. The PS2 can "see" you or more properly your motion. At first you feel silly waving your body around, but soon you forget as you get into the games.

We don't really care about seeing ourselves on screen, but actually physically controlling the game is a blast.

If they every combine the dance pad of DDR with the motion sensing of the EyeToy, video games will become a fun way to exercise.

They've already done it

[identity profile] lrc.livejournal.com 2003-12-29 12:48 am (UTC)(link)
It's called dancing. There are various forms that you do with an amazingly intricate full motion module, that at times almost seems sentient. These modules are called "dance partners". Not only do they respond to the music, but also to your inputs, usually tactile, though occasionally verbal or visual as well. There's even a wide variety of music that they operate with (much wider than DDR), everything from Victorian (go to PEERS this weekend), to Lindy Hop, even Hip Hop or Contra.

There are a fair number of pointers to dedicated arcades that have the complete infrastructure available on my vanity page at http://www.red4est.com/lrc/dance.html