Video Gaming News - November 2004
Foster City, CA (November 9, 2004) - Sony Computer Entertainment
America Inc. announced today the release of EyeToy: AntiGrav.
From Sony:
Representing the next step in the evolution of the EyeToy technology and
physical and interactive gaming, EyeToy: AntiGrav is developed by Harmonix Music
Systems, Inc., the creators of Frequency, Amplitude and Karaoke Revolution. It
also follows EyeToy: Play, which sold more than 4 million units worldwide since
its release, and EyeToy: Groove, which enables players to dance in time with one
of 28 licensed songs.
"The success of EyeToy shows that gamers are eager to jump on board with
innovative and fun new ways to interact with their PlayStation 2," said Joe
Brisbois, producer, Sony Computer Entertainment America. "EyeToy: AntiGrav gets
gamers off the couch and allows them to become physically immersed in the game,
in a way that has never before been possible."
With the USB EyeToy camera aimed at the player and plugged into a PlayStation2
computer entertainment system, the gamer enters the short calibration process
before beginning the fast-paced, active gameplay. The camera uses a combination
of advanced facial and motion tracking technology to lock onto the player and
capture movement. The gamer's movements are then used to control steering,
jumping, ducking, grinding, acceleration, braking, and tricks, as they interact
with the environment and avoid obstacles.
In addition to playing EyeToy: AntiGrav for a fun and interactive gaming
experience, the gameplay challenges both the mind and the body to get the heart
pumping. "EyeToy: AntiGrav combines the traditional entertainment component of
videogaming with mandated physical activity to create a new videogame category,"
said James C. Rosser, Jr., MD, chief of minimally invasive surgery and director
of the Advanced Medical Technology Institute, Beth Israel Medical Center. "With
obesity being healthcare public enemy number one, and reaching epidemic portions
in our nation's youth, this game will have an impact that will extend far beyond
that of personal entertainment. EyeToy: AntiGrav transforms the passive gaming
experience into a gaming platform that provides a smorgasbord of physical
activity. In our preliminary analysis, with a small number of people, the pulse
rate of gamers increased an average of 41 percent after only five minutes of
participation. This strongly suggests that this game could be an excellent way
to increase energy expenditure."
When playing in one of the five game environments, the motion tracker is
positioned in the lower right hand corner of the screen, so the player can see
how their movements correspond in real time to the movements of one of the eight
hoverboard racers that they have selected.
After first completing the tutorial, players can choose to rack up points in
Style mode, compete against three other AI-controlled hoverboard racers in Speed
mode, or beat their friend's best performance in Multiplayer mode. Gamers will
grind on rails, fly through rings, hit target combos, crouch to initiate turbo
boosts and perform sick tricks in the air, all in futuristic urban and rural
settings.
Even professional boarder, Shaun White has taken interest in the game. "EyeToy:
AntiGrav is one of the most exciting games I have ever played. You have to put
your whole body into playing it."
EyeToy: AntiGrav will be available with the EyeToy USB camera for a suggested
retail price of $49.99. To increase excitement and awareness for the title, a
massive marketing campaign is in effect.
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