EyeToy#Games

{{about|the PlayStation 2 accessory and associated video game series|the PlayStation 3 accessory|PlayStation Eye|the PlayStation 4 accessory|PlayStation Camera}}

{{short description|Webcam for the PlayStation 2}}

{{Infobox information appliance

| name = EyeToy

| logo = Eyetoy logo.svg

| image = PS2-Eyetoy.jpg

| caption =

| developer = Sony Computer Entertainment

| manufacturer = Logitech, Namtai

| family = PlayStation

| type = Webcam

| generation = Sixth

| releasedate = 2003

| connectivity = USB 1.1EyeToy specifications, published by Sony with EyeToy instruction manual. (type-A)

| platform = PlayStation 2

| camera = 320×240 pixels,{{cite web|url=http://blog.us.playstation.com/2010/11/03/eyetoy-innovation-and-beyond/comment-page-2/#comment-478157|title=EyeToy, Innovation and Beyond|first=Richard|last=Marks|date=2010-11-03|publisher=Sony Computer Entertainment America|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161006175554/http://blog.us.playstation.com/2010/11/03/eyetoy-innovation-and-beyond/comment-page-2/|archive-date=2016-10-06|access-date=2010-12-01}} capable of 640×480 pixels with custom drivers.

| dimensions = {{convert|44|*|53|*|89|mm|in|abbr=on}}

| weight = {{convert|173|g|oz|abbr=on}}{{infobox|child=yes

|label1=Cable length

|data1={{convert|2|m|ft|abbr=on}}

|label2=Power draw

|data2=50 mA

|label3=Lenshead

|data3=Manual focus ring

|label4=Sensor

|data4=OV7648

|label5=Chip

|data5=OV519

}}

| 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.

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.{{cite web |url=http://sourceforge.net/projects/eocp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090615084321/http://sourceforge.net/projects/eocp |title=Eyetoy On Computer Project |archive-date=15 June 2009 |website=SourceForge}} The EyeToy is compatible with the PlayStation 3 and can be used for video chatting.{{cite web|url=http://www.us.playstation.com/ps3/network/friends |title=PlayStation.com - PLAYSTATION®3 - Network - friends |date=2008-11-09 |access-date=2013-01-28 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081109073458/http://www.us.playstation.com/ps3/network/friends |archive-date=November 9, 2008 }} As of November 6, 2008, the EyeToy has sold 10.5 million units worldwide.{{cite web|url=https://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=20975|title=In-Depth: Eye To Eye - The History Of EyeToy|last=Kim|first=Tom|date=2008-11-06|publisher=Gamasutra|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170823204426/http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=20975|archive-date=2017-08-23|url-status=dead|access-date=2008-11-15}}

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.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/11/13/technology/smile-gamers-you-re-in-the-picture.html|title=Smile, Gamers: You're in the Picture|last=Robischon|first=Noah|periodical=The New York Times|date=13 November 2003 |access-date=2009-06-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180417105324/https://www.nytimes.com/2003/11/13/technology/smile-gamers-you-re-in-the-picture.html|archive-date=2018-04-17|url-status=live|publication-date=2003-11-13|pages=G1|issn=0362-4331|oclc=1645522}} 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.{{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2004-jan-18-fi-eyetoy18-story.html|title=EyeToy Springs From One Man's Vision|last=Pham|first=Alex|periodical=Los Angeles Times|access-date=2009-06-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305002811/http://articles.latimes.com/2004/jan/18/business/fi-eyetoy18|archive-date=2016-03-05|url-status=live|publication-date=2004-01-18|pages=C1|issn=0458-3035|oclc=3638237}}{{cite video|people=Richard Marks|date=2004-01-21|title=EyeToy: A New Interface for Interactive Entertainment|url=http://lang.stanford.edu/courses/ee380/2003-2004/040121-ee380-100.wmv|format=Windows Media v7|publisher=Stanford University|access-date=2009-06-20|time=08:22|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110415163216/http://lang.stanford.edu/courses/ee380/2003-2004/040121-ee380-100.wmv|archive-date=2011-04-15}}

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 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.

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.

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.Drivers for Windows and Linux free and with support from: [http://eyetoy8057.sourceforge.net/cms/ Archived copy] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070327192750/http://eyetoy8057.sourceforge.net/cms/|date=March 27, 2007}} Apart from smaller electronics, no internal improvements had been made to the new model, and its functionality stayed the same as the old EyeToy.{{cite web | title=Eyetoy black/silver, whats the difference? | website=NeoGAF | date=8 November 2006 | url=https://www.neogaf.com/threads/eyetoy-black-silver-whats-the-difference.127932/ | access-date=4 April 2023}}

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{{Cite web|url=https://github.com/torvalds/linux/blob/master/drivers/media/usb/gspca/ov519.c|title = Torvalds/Linux| website=GitHub |date = 16 October 2021}} 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:

  • SLEH-00030
  • SLEH-00031
  • SCEH-0004

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

{{Main|List of games compatible with EyeToy}}

=Designed for EyeToy=

The following 31 games require the EyeToy to play.

class="wikitable sortable"
Game titleYear releasedDeveloperPublisher
EyeToy: PlayJuly 4, 2003 (Europe)
November 4, 2003 (North America)
London StudioSony Computer Entertainment
EyeToy: GrooveNovember 14, 2003 (Europe)
April 20, 2004 (North America)
London StudioSony Computer Entertainment
Kaiketsu Zorori Mezase! Itazura KingApril 28, 2004 (Japan)BandaiBandai
U-Move Super SportsJuly 15, 2004 (Japan)
October 22, 2004 (Europe)
KonamiKonami
EyeToy: Monkey ManiaAugust 4, 2004 (Japan)
March 18, 2005 (Europe)
Japan StudioSony Computer Entertainment
Nicktoons Movin'October 21, 2004 (North America)
November 26, 2004 (Europe)
Mass MediaTHQ
Sega SuperstarsOctober 22, 2004 (Europe)
November 2, 2004 (North America)
November 11, 2004 (Japan)
Sonic TeamSega
EyeToy: AntiGravNovember 9, 2004 (North America)
March 2005 (Europe)
HarmonixSony Computer Entertainment
EyeToy: Play 2November 5, 2004 (Europe)
August 16, 2005 (North America)
London StudioSony Computer Entertainment
Bakufuu Slash! Kizna ArashiNovember 14, 2004 (Japan)Sony Computer EntertainmentSony Computer Entertainment
Disney MoveNovember 19, 2004 (Europe)Artificial Mind & MovementBuena 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 SoftHudson Soft
EyeToy: EduKidsJanuary 20, 2005 (Korea)SCE Korea
Arisu Media
Sony Computer Entertainment Korea
EyeToy: ChatFebruary 11, 2005 (Europe)London StudioSony Computer Entertainment Europe
EyeToy: TalesMarch 2005 (Korea)SCE KoreaSony Computer Entertainment Korea
Onmyou Taisenki - Byakko EnbuMarch 31, 2005 (Japan)Matrix SoftwareBandai
C@M-StationApril 28, 2005ArducArduc
YetiSports Arctic AdventuresJuly 2005 (Europe)Pirate GamesJoWooD Productions
EyeToy: KineticSeptember 23, 2005 (Europe)
November 8, 2005 (North America)
London StudioSony Computer Entertainment
SpyToyOctober 14, 2005 (Europe)
November 15, 2005 (North America)
London StudioSony Computer Entertainment
EyeToy: Play 3November 4, 2005 (Europe)London StudioSony Computer Entertainment Europe
Rhythmic Star!March 10, 2006 (Europe)NamcoIgnition Entertainment/Namco
Clumsy ShumsyOctober 27, 2006 (Europe)Phoenix GamesPhoenix Games
EyeToy: Kinetic CombatNovember 17, 2006 (Europe)London StudioSony Computer Entertainment Europe
EyeToy Play: SportsDecember 31, 2006 (Europe)London StudioSony Computer Entertainment Europe
Bob the BuilderAugust 23, 2007 (Europe)Atomic Planet EntertainmentMastertronic Group
Thomas & Friends: A Day at the RacesAugust 24, 2007 (Europe)Broadsword InteractiveMastertronic Group
EyeToy Play: Astro ZooNovember 2, 2007 (Europe)London StudioSony Computer Entertainment Europe
EyeToy Play: Hero2008 (Europe)London StudioSony Computer Entertainment Europe
EyeToy Play: PomPom Party2008 (Europe)London StudioSony Computer Entertainment Europe

=Enhanced with EyeToy=

These games may be used with the EyeToy optionally. They typically have an "Enhanced 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

References