| EyeToy | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Developer: | Sony Computer Entertainment | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Manufacturer: | Logitech, Namtai | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Family: | PlayStation | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Type: | Webcam | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Generation: | Sixth | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Releasedate: | 2003 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Connectivity: | USB 1.1[1] (type-A) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Platform: | PlayStation 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Camera: | 320×240 pixels,[2] capable of 640×480 pixels with custom drivers. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Dimensions: | 44* | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight: | 173g
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| 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 28 games.
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]
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 (which would later merge to become London Studio) to begin developing a software title using the technology, which would later become . 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.
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. On February 11, 2004, the EyeToy was released in Japan.
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]
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.
See main article: List of games compatible with EyeToy.
The following games require the EyeToy to play.
| Game title | Year released | Developer | Publisher | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 4, 2003 (Europe) November 4, 2003 (North America) | Sony Computer Entertainment | |||
| November 14, 2003 (Europe) April 20, 2004 (North America) | Sony Computer Entertainment | |||
| Kaiketsu Zorori Mezase! Itazura King | April 28, 2004 (Japan) | Bandai | ||
| U-Move Super Sports | July 15, 2004 (Japan) October 22, 2004 (Europe) | Konami | ||
| August 4, 2004 (Japan) March 18, 2005 (Europe) | Sony Computer Entertainment | |||
| Nicktoons Movin' | October 21, 2004 (North America) November 26, 2004 (Europe) | THQ | ||
| Sega Superstars | October 22, 2004 (Europe) November 2, 2004 (North America) November 11, 2004 (Japan) | Sega | ||
| November 9, 2004 (North America) March 2005 (Europe) | Sony Computer Entertainment | |||
| November 5, 2004 (Europe) August 16, 2005 (North America) | Sony Computer Entertainment | |||
| Bakufuu Slash! Kizna Arashi | November 14, 2004 (Japan) | Sony Computer Entertainment | ||
| Disney Move | November 19, 2004 (Europe) | Buena Vista Games | ||
| Card Captor Sakura: Sakura-Chan to Asobo! | December 2, 2004 (Japan) | NHK Software | NHK Software | |
| Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo Assemble! Motion Bo-bobo | December 16, 2004 (Japan) | Hudson Soft | ||
| EyeToy: EduKids | January 20, 2005 (Korea) | SCE Korea Arisu Media | Sony Computer Entertainment Korea | |
| EyeToy: Chat | February 11, 2005 (Europe) | Sony Computer Entertainment Europe | ||
| EyeToy: Tales | March 2005 (Korea) | Sony Computer Entertainment Korea | ||
| Onmyou Taisenki - Byakko Enbu | March 31, 2005 (Japan) | Bandai | ||
| C@M-Station | April 28, 2005 | Arduc | Arduc | |
| YetiSports Arctic Adventures | July 2005 (Europe) | Pirate Games | JoWooD Productions | |
| September 23, 2005 (Europe) November 8, 2005 (North America) | Sony Computer Entertainment | |||
| SpyToy | October 14, 2005 (Europe) November 15, 2005 (North America) | Sony Computer Entertainment | ||
| November 4, 2005 (Europe) | Sony Computer Entertainment Europe | |||
| Rhythmic Star! | March 10, 2006 (Europe) | Ignition Entertainment/Namco | ||
| Clumsy Shumsy | October 27, 2006 (Europe) | Phoenix Games | Phoenix Games | |
| EyeToy: Kinetic Combat | November 17, 2006 (Europe) | Sony Computer Entertainment Europe | ||
| EyeToy Play: Sports | December 31, 2006 (Europe) | Sony Computer Entertainment Europe | ||
| Bob the Builder | August 23, 2007 (Europe) | Mastertronic Group | ||
| Thomas & Friends: A Day at the Races | August 24, 2007 (Europe) | Broadsword Interactive | Mastertronic Group | |
| EyeToy Play: Astro Zoo | November 2, 2007 (Europe) | Sony Computer Entertainment Europe | ||
| EyeToy Play: Hero | 2008 (Europe) | Sony Computer Entertainment Europe | ||
| EyeToy Play: PomPom Party | 2008 (Europe) | Sony Computer Entertainment Europe |
These games may be used with the EyeToy optionally. They typically have an "Enhanced with EyeToy" or "EyeToy Enhanced" label on the box.
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.