EyeToy

Last updated
EyeToy
Eyetoy logo.svg
PS2-Eyetoy.jpg
Developer Sony Computer Entertainment
Manufacturer Logitech, Namtai
Product family PlayStation
Type Webcam
Generation Sixth
Release date2003
Camera320×240  pixels, [1] capable of 640×480 pixels with custom drivers.
Connectivity USB 1.1 [2] (type-A)
Platform PlayStation 2
Dimensions44×53×89 mm (1.7×2.1×3.5 in) [2]
Mass173 g (6.1 oz) [2]
Cable length2 m (6.6 ft) [2]
Power draw50  mA [2]
LensheadManual focus ring
Sensor OV7648 [2]
ChipOV519 [2]
Successor PlayStation Eye

The EyeToy is a color webcam for use with the PlayStation 2. Supported games use computer vision and gesture recognition to process images taken by the EyeToy. This allows players to interact with the games using motion, color detection, and also sound, through its built-in microphone. It was released in 2003 and in total, it has 6 million sales .

Contents

The camera was manufactured by Logitech, although newer EyeToys were manufactured by Namtai. The camera is mainly used for playing EyeToy games developed by Sony and other companies. It is not intended for use as a normal PC camera, although some programmers have written unofficial drivers for it. [3] The EyeToy is compatible with the PlayStation 3 and can be used for video chatting. [4] As of November 6, 2008, the EyeToy has sold 10.5 million units worldwide. [5]

History

The EyeToy was conceived by Richard Marks in 1999, after witnessing a demonstration of the PlayStation 2 at the 1999 Game Developers Conference in San Jose, California. [6] Marks' idea was to enable natural user interface and mixed reality video game applications using an inexpensive webcam, using the computational power of the PlayStation 2 to implement computer vision and gesture recognition technologies. He joined Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) that year, and worked on the technology as Special Projects Manager for Research and Development. [7] [8]

Marks' work drew the attention of Phil Harrison, then Vice President of Third Party Relations and Research and Development at SCEA. Soon after being promoted to Senior Vice President of Product Development at Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) in 2000, Harrison brought Marks to the division's headquarters in London to demonstrate the technology to a number of developers. At the demonstration, Marks was joined with Ron Festejo of Psygnosis [8] (which would later merge to become London Studio) to begin developing a software title using the technology, which would later become EyeToy: Play . Originally called the iToy (short for "interactive toy") by the London branch, the webcam was later renamed to the EyeToy by Harrison. It was first demonstrated to the public at the PlayStation Experience event in August 2002 with four minigames. [7]

Already planned for release in Europe, the EyeToy was picked by SCE's Japanese and American branches after the successful showing at the PlayStation Experience. In 2003, EyeToy was released in a bundle with EyeToy: Play: in Europe on July 4, and in North America on November 4. By the end of the year, the EyeToy sold over 2 million units in Europe and 400,000 units in the United States. [7] On February 11, 2004, the EyeToy was released in Japan.

Design

The camera is mounted on a pivot, allowing for positioning. Focusing the camera is performed by rotating a ring around the lens. It comes with two LED lights on the front. A blue light turns on when the PS2 is on, indicating that it is ready to be used, while the red light flashes when there is insufficient light in the room. It also contains a built-in microphone.

The original logo and product design for the camera was designed by Sony employee Oliver Wright. A second, newer model of the EyeToy was also made, but sports a smaller size and silver casing. [9] Apart from smaller electronics, no internal improvements had been made to the new model, and its functionality stayed the same as the old EyeToy. [10]

Use with personal computers

Since the EyeToy is essentially a webcam inside a casing designed to match the PlayStation 2 and it uses a USB 1.1 protocol and USB plug, it is possible to make it work on other systems relatively easily. Drivers have been created to make it work with many computer operating systems, however, Linux [11] is the only OS that has drivers installed yet no official drivers have been offered by Namtai, Logitech, or Sony for Microsoft Windows, macOS, or Linux. The type of driver required depends on the model of the EyeToy camera. There are three different models:

The model information is included in a label on the bottom of the camera.

In these custom drivers, the red LED that normally signals inadequate lighting is used as the active recording indicator. The blue LED is lit when the EyeToy is plugged into the computer.

Games

Designed for EyeToy

The following games require the EyeToy to play.

Game titleYear releasedDeveloperPublisher
EyeToy: Play July 4, 2003 (Europe)
November 4, 2003 (North America)
London Studio Sony Computer Entertainment
EyeToy: Groove November 14, 2003 (Europe)
April 20, 2004 (North America)
London Studio Sony Computer Entertainment
Kaiketsu Zorori Mezase! Itazura KingApril 28, 2004 (Japan) Bandai Bandai
U-Move Super SportsJuly 15, 2004 (Japan)
October 22, 2004 (Europe)
Konami Konami
EyeToy: Monkey Mania August 4, 2004 (Japan)
March 18, 2005 (Europe)
Japan Studio Sony Computer Entertainment
Nicktoons Movin' October 21, 2004 (North America)
November 26, 2004 (Europe)
Mass Media THQ
Sega Superstars October 22, 2004 (Europe)
November 2, 2004 (North America)
November 11, 2004 (Japan)
Sonic Team Sega
EyeToy: AntiGrav November 9, 2004 (North America)
March 2005 (Europe)
Harmonix Sony Computer Entertainment
EyeToy: Play 2 November 5, 2004 (Europe)
August 16, 2005 (North America)
London Studio Sony Computer Entertainment
Bakufuu Slash! Kizna ArashiNovember 14, 2004 (Japan) Sony Computer Entertainment Sony Computer Entertainment
Disney MoveNovember 19, 2004 (Europe) Artificial Mind & Movement Buena Vista Games
Card Captor Sakura: Sakura-Chan to Asobo!December 2, 2004 (Japan)NHK SoftwareNHK Software
Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo Assemble! Motion Bo-boboDecember 16, 2004 (Japan) Hudson Soft Hudson Soft
EyeToy: EduKidsJanuary 20, 2005 (Korea) SCE Korea
Arisu Media
Sony Computer Entertainment Korea
EyeToy: ChatFebruary 11, 2005 (Europe) London Studio Sony Computer Entertainment Europe
EyeToy: TalesMarch 2005 (Korea) SCE Korea Sony Computer Entertainment Korea
Onmyou Taisenki - Byakko EnbuMarch 31, 2005 (Japan) Matrix Software Bandai
C@M-StationApril 28, 2005ArducArduc
YetiSports Arctic Adventures July 2005 (Europe)Pirate Games JoWooD Productions
EyeToy: Kinetic September 23, 2005 (Europe)
November 8, 2005 (North America)
London Studio Sony Computer Entertainment
SpyToy October 14, 2005 (Europe)
November 15, 2005 (North America)
London Studio Sony Computer Entertainment
EyeToy: Play 3 November 4, 2005 (Europe) London Studio Sony Computer Entertainment Europe
Rhythmic Star!March 10, 2006 (Europe) Namco Ignition Entertainment/Namco
Clumsy ShumsyOctober 27, 2006 (Europe)Phoenix GamesPhoenix Games
EyeToy: Kinetic CombatNovember 17, 2006 (Europe) London Studio Sony Computer Entertainment Europe
EyeToy Play: SportsDecember 31, 2006 (Europe) London Studio Sony Computer Entertainment Europe
Bob the BuilderAugust 23, 2007 (Europe) Atomic Planet Entertainment Mastertronic Group
Thomas & Friends: A Day at the Races August 24, 2007 (Europe)Broadsword Interactive Mastertronic Group
EyeToy Play: Astro ZooNovember 2, 2007 (Europe) London Studio Sony Computer Entertainment Europe
EyeToy Play: Hero2008 (Europe) London Studio Sony Computer Entertainment Europe
EyeToy Play: PomPom Party2008 (Europe) London Studio Sony Computer Entertainment Europe

Enhanced with EyeToy

These games may be used with the Sigma EyeToy optionally. They typically have an "Edge-hanced with EyeToy" or "EyeToy Enhanced" label on the box.

Cameo

EyeToy: Cameo is a system for allowing players to include their own images as avatars in other games. Games that support the feature include a head scanning program that can be used to generate a 3D model of the player's head. Once stored on a memory card, this file is then available in games that support the Cameo feature. EyeToy: Cameo licenses the head creation technology Digimask.

See also

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References

  1. Marks, Richard (2010-11-03). "EyeToy, Innovation and Beyond". Sony Computer Entertainment America. Archived from the original on 2016-10-06. Retrieved 2010-12-01.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 EyeToy specifications, published by Sony with EyeToy instruction manual.
  3. "Eyetoy On Computer Project". SourceForge . Archived from the original on 15 June 2009.
  4. "PlayStation.com - PLAYSTATION®3 - Network - friends". 2008-11-09. Archived from the original on November 9, 2008. Retrieved 2013-01-28.
  5. Kim, Tom (2008-11-06). "In-Depth: Eye To Eye - The History Of EyeToy". Gamasutra. Archived from the original on 2017-08-23. Retrieved 2008-11-15.
  6. Robischon, Noah (13 November 2003). "Smile, Gamers: You're in the Picture". The New York Times (published 2003-11-13). pp. G1. ISSN   0362-4331. OCLC   1645522. Archived from the original on 2018-04-17. Retrieved 2009-06-10.
  7. 1 2 3 Pham, Alex (2004-01-18). "EyeToy Springs From One Man's Vision". Los Angeles Times . pp. C1. ISSN   0458-3035. OCLC   3638237. Archived from the original on 2016-03-05. Retrieved 2009-06-10.
  8. 1 2 Richard Marks (2004-01-21). EyeToy: A New Interface for Interactive Entertainment. Stanford University. Event occurs at 08:22. Archived from the original (Windows Media v7) on 2011-04-15. Retrieved 2009-06-20.
  9. Drivers for Windows and Linux free and with support from: Archived copy Archived March 27, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  10. "Eyetoy black/silver, whats the difference?". NeoGAF. 8 November 2006. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  11. "Torvalds/Linux". GitHub . 16 October 2021.