Impressions: EyePet (PS3)

Joystiq writes: EyePet truly needs to be seen to be understood. You can do so many things with the critter, and his incredibly detailed and lifelike animation makes this "game" all the more believable. For example, you can try sweeping your arm across the bottom of your TV view, and the pet will jump over your arm. When your pet goes to sleep, you can clap loudly and get it to wake up ... (although it might be grumpy!)

Sony calls the quality of the visuals "Pixar-like" and in our opinion, that's not hyperbole. With all of PS3's rendering capabilities going towards a single character model, it's no surprise the visuals looks so impressive. I'll reiterate that the visuals you see in the trailer aren't pre-rendered -- the game really does look like that.

One of the cooler things to do in the game is to drop down the "magic card" on the floor. This simple black card will be detected by the Eye and a spinning holgraphic menu will shoot out of it. Players will be able to gesture Minority Report-style, around the menu to access various options, like to

One amazing feature that works better than we'd imagine is the ability to draw and import your own creations. You can play an airplane minigame, for example, by drawing a helicopter for your pet to drive. All it takes is a white piece of paper and a black pen. You'll have to draw the pieces necessary to make a working helicopter, and then you'll be able to scan the image with the Eye. The drawing then gets scanned into the world and your pet will attempt to recreate it. (The more you teach it how to draw, the better he will perform.) Your handwriting and drawing turns a real 3D object in the world. In the flying minigame, you'll use the PS3 controller to guide your pet in a balloon-colllecting minigame.

EyePet has been announced for both US and European release, with a holiday target in Europe. The game will be available in two flavors: Blu-ray disc, or bundle which includes the game and PlayStation Eye.

[KingKionic]

sounds good. And its coming with the playstation eye.

[IrishRepublicanArmy]

a GOOD ad campaign!!

[Godmars290]

I hope it gets a TV show.

Though if they make it talk it'll only piss people off.

Edit:
Actually, it would just have to guest star a few times on Sesame Street. A segment with Elmo.

[callahan09]

I'm buying it day one. It's too adorable!

[All-3]

A great deal, especially since sometime next spring, the PS3 motion controller will be released and one requires the EyeToy to fully utilize the controller with upcoming games.

[sirbigam]

Ahh man someone wrote they would draw a baseball bat and see wat the could do to our little fury freind , hilarious.

[ThanatosDMC]

Which begs the question, "What's so different about Natal?"

[barom]

this is like Milo without the creepiness, and it works (or that's what Joystiq is telling us).

[KKanjiAnkh]

I'm still not feeding that F***** after 12mid. Mark my words, it will kill you!

[phosphor112]

(I downloaded it) but I haven't paid attention enough to notice what happened at 1:08. I laughed my ass off. That pet was mindin' its own business and then those d*cks mess with him lmao.

[Seraphim]

ever since they showed EyePet at E3 08 I've been highly anticipating seeing it in action, and being able to get my hands on it. I certainly didn't expect such a LONG wait. But the way it sounds waiting for this highly ambitious title is going to be well worth the wait. I guess my only worry now is that I thought EyePet was suppose to be a PSN title. If in fact it's a full retail title then hopefully it comes with a $30 or less price tag [standalone]. I already bought the PS eye last year for $20 in part anticipating this, and to use in LBP which never happened anyway. :D Regardless, this is a Day One buy for me. Even my fiance is interested in this one. The fuzzy monkey is just TOO CUTE. ;)

[JL]

don't go spilling water on him either Kanji.

and i agree seraphim, i'm a bit worried about pricing here myself. i think i do plan on getting this game just because....come on, who could pass up at least giving this a try. but the pricing might put me off. i was thinking more like psn title prices for this. though i will need to buy the package with the eyetoy, i still hope they're not trying to bring this 'game' out at the $60 mark or i might unfortunately miss this one. cause i'm not sure how much fun this can be, meaning i see it getting a lil old after a bit. bet my nephew will have a field day with it though.

i do find it funny though (like the people below) how natal and milo get all this hype and we see here that sony has the ps3 doing the same thing, actually doing it, and have been doing it well before. yet this gets completely overlooked for the most part. or at least not the hype that it should get (ie it should have natal's hype, natal shouldn't get it)

[Milky]

when is the holiday target in Europe? Is it this summer?

This game looks very impressive, I hope they have some funny trophies to get.

I'm gonna go out and get the bundle and a blender on the same day (ehehe bye bye furrball)

[whoelse]

When I was reading through that I kept thinking, oh just like Natal then.

Natal sounds like a slightly more advanced version of the PS Eye with the right software. I think I will be getting a PS Eye and EyePet now because this sounds pretty cool and won't cost a packet and without the long wait.

@Above: Yeah they mean Christmas holidays.

[Kain81]

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

[irish-leprecaun]

or me in this game!!! its not as if he can just make pots of gold appear out of fAT air!! with the wave of yor arm i could also create a rainbow!! TGSI someone tell sony quick!! lol

[clintos59]

Eyepet is actually working and is playable but the media still decides to praise the guy in the back speaking for milo lmao. Sorry man I couldnt help but laugh after kotaku said milo even replied, "Nice blue shirt" lol that totally gave it away that milo wasnt really doing things on his own but some1 was actually talking for milo, lol.

Im definately going to buy the bundle for this. Atleast I can trust them since they been doing natal things for a few years now with the eye toy. My nieces and nephews will love eyepet.

[ptotoy]

because real pets need maintenance.. litter

this is for kiddies.. just like what's going to be available on natal

[LittleBigSackBoy]

from the trailer, this looks pretty cool

[eagle21]

but they are real. :)

[kissmeimgreek]

sony has a nack for that

[cmrbe]

Stuff. Definately am going to buy it.

[Cajun Chicken]

I'm going to have to get around to renting this when its out for budget reasons. It does look awfully cool, but I'm not the Tamagotchi type of person. But I do have a PSeye and have been looking forward for the PSeye to be used properly in a full retail game (except for Eye of Judgement) for a while. Here's hoping Eyedentify still exists.

[rbluetank]

i am already sold on this game/camera.

[rockleex]

"this is already sitting on my tv stand next to my ps3 this fall !!!"

Reminds me a lot of that Doctor Manhattan chapter from the Watchmen graphic novel. The scene where he was talking about the past, present, and future as if they are all happening at the same time? I think it was chapter 4.

[Godmars290]

Is if it can "live" outside its game. In the XMB or Home if only in your main residence.

@irish-leprecaun:
Honestly don't think that a PS3, an internet connection, could handle something like that. More importantly I don't think it could handle a half dozen of something like that. Of managing your eyepet, and anyone else's who also brought their's into Home.

[LittleBigSackBoy]

damn, that would be so cool, jus turning your ps3 to check on your pet :)

[irish-leprecaun]

he walked around in home with you!!! that would attract a lot of attention and would certainly convince many hardcore homies to buy it!

[TitanUp]

the best pet game ever

[SmokingMonkey]

"Players will be able to gesture Minority Report-style, around the menu to access various options, like toys and health check-ups."

Minority Report menu - check

(although it might be grumpy!)

Milo type interactive emotions - check

What does Natal do exactly that is so different?

I'm not bashing Natal ("Natal"=Christmas in Spanish/Portuguese)
I just don't understand what it does that you specifically can't do on the PS3Eye?

[DEADEND]

Trust me there's no difference at all and I bet that Sony is going to make so cool software to go up against Natal real soon because the PS EYE can do the exact same stuff the Natal can.

[randomwiz]

well... there really is no difference, except that ps eye is a piece of junk. They need to come out with a "this gen camera". PS eye still only has a max resolution of 640x480... same as my phone...

other differences include:
no microphone

[LittleBigSackBoy]

i thought PS eye had a built in mic?

[STK026]

From what I read, Natal is much more precise than the PSEye alone. It also works in the dark. Just think of Natal as an improved version of the PSEye, in pretty much everyway. I'm also guessing it has a better camera, when I used to play the Eye of Judgement, I noticed the picture quality wasn't really good and looked grainy and the colors seemed odd too.

Of course, the PSEye along with the new motion controllers that Sony demoed at E3 will make it even more precide than Natal (atleast, it's expected to be the case).

Sadly, since the motion controller is coming from Sony and Natal from MS, we won't see them working together :(
Imagine having the motion controllers and using the Natal camera rather than the PSEye :O

[saint_john_paul_ii]

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

[Redempteur]

You need an info update ... and the sooner the better IMO

The PS EYE 2 has a built-in microphone .. also the stuff used by the PS3 ( like eye of jugement , or LBP ) With these 2 examples in mind i can safely say that i don' need a 720p camera yet ...

next-gen maybe ...

[whateva]

I use it to talk online it's better than most Bluetooth mics

if you don't know something you should just shut up.

[cmrbe]

Natal is just an imporvement over PS Eye. Its basically the same thing.

The big difference is MS advertisement and backing.

From what i read MS are fully backing Natal like a new console. PS Eye to Sony really is just another PS add on to them.

Weather we will see Sony fully back the PS motion controller like the Nin and MS are planning to do will remain to be seen.

[I_am_rushin]

So what phone lets you capture 640x480 @60fps?

[STK026]

actually, I believe LG released a phone like a year or two ago that allowed for 120fps videos.

[xabmol]

"With project Natal, it's a whole new category of gaming. I mean it's controller free gaming. This is definitely something that's never been done before." - Aaron Greenberg

xD

P.S.

[callahan09]

PS3 Eye does have microphone.

[UltimateIdiot911]

You know what else the PS3 Eye can do?
Use it as a security camera for home. Of course you would need a PSP to use Remote Play to do this.

It's pretty funny, my friend used his PSP to watch what his roommate was doing from work. His roommate never knew he was watching.

[TitanUp]

well whatever the xbox 360 original controller is better than the eye camera and natal.

[LittleBigSackBoy]

natal and the eyetoy aren't competing with controllers though

edit: i didn't disagree btw

[eagle21]

Forget natal. :)

[IrishRepublicanArmy]

bro!!

[MEsoJD]

Id rather have a cute furry thing than a creepy suicidal kid.

Really I Milo seems like he'll cut you in your sleep : (

[KKanjiAnkh]

I will be laughing at this comment 4 a good week.

Bubbles+

[whateva]

Bam! there it is!

[KingKionic]

To the people mentioning Natal`s "Milo" game. Its not the same concept and is centered on different audiences.

[FunkyzeitMitBruno]

...so, are you listening? Good...here's how to sell bucket loads of this game...TORIKO DLC!!!

http://i43.photobucket.com/...

[Cenobia]

O.....M.....G

I would buy 10 copies.

[Hallucinate]

actually that would be pretty cool...and possibly sell a few copies

[NateNater]

"Players will be able to gesture Minority Report-style, around the menu to access various options, like toys and health check-ups."

Take that Natal! :P

[cmrbe]

it will be cheaper than Natal and it will be out this year!!.

Natal better do some revolutionary stuff when it comes out.

[saint_john_paul_ii]

The Fact of the Matter is that the PS EYE has always been able to do these abilities, ever since the Eyetoy.

Now go in Peace my Son..

[Godmars290]

You can probably bet that once Sony saw Natal's demo, they're working on a way to introduce that control method into the XMB.

Pretty sure that the current PSeye could manage that. Just not a voice recognition on/off switch.

[cmrbe]

I am not sure about voice recognition for off and on.

I mean i don't want it. For example what if i say off accidentially and your console turns off or someone says off?.

I really really like the PS remote on switch with the PS3. Brilliant stuff. Its practical as you would need to get the controller anyways if you want to play a game. What i mean is if Sony allowed you to turn on the PS3 with your voice it wouldn't really matter as you would still need to get your hand on a controller in order to play a game.

As for the interface. It would be cool to say on then just use body motion for browsing and playing media files on your PS3. I am pretty sure Sony could implement something similar and at a fracion of what Natal cost.

I am looking forward to what Natal will offer gaming. I just hope it will be reviolutionary and not just do what we can already see be done with the PS Eye.

Edit: KionicWarlord222.

No man. I am not trying to downplay Natal. What i am saying is that Natal better do some amazing stuff that i havene't seen before from PS Eye. All of us that have used the PS Eye as well as PS Eye tech demos weren't that impressed with Natal because we have seen it before. Have you played EOJ?. MS are talking up Natal. I honestly hope they would be able to revolutionised the way we play games.

[saint_john_paul_ii]

They have been working on that since the PS eye was unveiled, go watch the PS eye trailer, it shows all the concepts that can be done with the eye. One of them is controlling a menu system via the XMB via making gestures with your hands.

[KingKionic]

LOL at you guys down playing Natal.

EDIT @ above (Godmars)

when microsoft said there going to "revolutionize gaming"

I think there talking about full body control. If i remember Peter Molyneux said they wanted to make games interactive and "realistic".
He quoted something like create new "genres"
http://www.youtube.com/watc...

[Godmars290]

I honestly can't stand Peter Molyneux. Just the fact that the man needs a watchdog to keep his mouth from running away with things no one, much less him, can do. I have no illusions that when Milo does come out - if - someone's either going to be making excuses for him.

@cmrbe:
As far as Natal is supposedly concerned, the on/off "switch" is a key phrase you program yourself. Like "Natal On," or "Natal Off." Something someone's not likely to say causally.

@Pope_John_Paul_II:
Happen to have a link to this trailer? I've never heard of such a thing. If Sony has been planning it, the only reason why they haven't done it yet is the PSeye's low popularity. At least I don't own one.

Figure that they could do it now with an update. Though people will say they're copying Natal.

Forget that Sony was talking about Milo type characters since before the PS3 was launched with Eyedentify.

[saint_john_paul_ii]

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

you probably have seen it before, but you probably didn't noticed it.

[KingKionic]

Im just telling you what ms said.To revolutionize something you need "creative minds" . Im not trying to convince you what ms said ,But hopefully it will come to light on there "ideas.

All you need is some creative people.

:)

[D4RkNIKON]

@godmars290 "You can probably bet that once Sony saw Natal's demo, they're working on a way to introduce that control method into the XMB.

Pretty sure that the current PSeye could manage that. Just not a voice recognition on/off switch."

They could do voice recognition in the XMB too, there was a recent tom clancy game that had voice controls.

[TitanUp]

i don't get why you people are so into this yes it looks like a great game like i sad probably the best pet game so fare. but as far as natal eye and sonys mote go im just not buying into the hype.

have a wii for that i just want the 360 and ps3 to do what they have been doing. i don't care about the sales,casual market thats none of my business im not getting any money for caring about those things.

dualshock,wii mote,360 controller ftw.

[poopsack]

but wait i like eyepet.

[Claudinho69]

a game like it will come to xbox 360 in late 2010...

[MajesticBeast]

Hehe i think its amazing that the stuff you draw comes 2 life. Sony make this happen with sackboy and Clank or ratchet dlc monsters.

[cmrbe]

like 2 years ago where you could just draw tanks for example and scan them in and then play tank. Some guy scanned a banana and use it as a tank lol!. It was functional back then. No extra stuff need apart from the PS Eye. I am sure they used that tech program they developed then for this game.

[LinuxGuru]

I want that game they demoed with the tanks. That game could be endless fun. Making your own tanks and obstacles and things to fight with...what a blast!

[Neo604]

natal is the first of it kind.

[Neo604]

waiting for ps motion senser with real time sword fighting game next spring.

[Lawliet]

Sounds boring. I wish I could stab it with the pen or rip off its head. Some hardcore violence would be fun. I love killing things...

[dogmeat eater]

Sounds like your going to be a future Ted Bundy.

[cmrbe]

play other 95% of games out there that allows you to kill things.

[Socomer 1979]

It should be a difficult game too.
Who knows you might get as good as david carradine.
Oh man, now I'm choking up.

[scott182]

You know, I just had no idea the ps eye could do this kind of stuff. Sony really has a hard time advertising don't they.

[saint_john_paul_ii]

the eye can do lots of things, its just not properly advertised. Sony has been experimenting with this tech since the PS2. but it of course did not sell well because of the lack of support and of course the games that did not convince people to pick one up.

if you see what most of the Eyetoy games were comprised of. you would realize they are comprised of Casual games. The PS2 was a hardcore system. Hardcore gamers liked the idea, but they were turned off by it, because the games shown were games that Hardcore gamers don't like.

WIth MS stepping up to the plate with Project Natal, Hopefully Sony starts pushing the Eye with innovative hardcore games.

[cmrbe]

this stuff done not to long ago. I am a surprise that it had been implemented this fast.

EOJ really showed what could be done with the PS Eye.

[Godmars290]

Bit surprised Sony hasn't called MS on their "only on" claim. Especially when they were making them over three years ago.

[kws1065]

Every hand gesture recognition is compared with the movie "Minority Report"

Yes, it was a quite impressive scene when I saw it first time.

[scott182]

I have a question, how would controllerless hardcore games work without a proper way to move? Would your dude just stand in one place the whole time? I like the idea of some kind of way to move and a trigger of sorts, but with things like eye pet I think it looks like it can work wonders!

[heroicjanitor]

Treadmills xD

[scott182]

Dude.... nice. Taking fitness on consoles to a new level.

[Shendow]

My gf is trick off that Wii doesn't get Eyepet an I'll buy it so she be happy (She bought me some games an I get her some for Wii) but Natal Vs PS Eye, all that PS Eye doesn't have is the scan eye in it an thats about it people -_- Sony even said it is a nice looking an all but the scan eye was the only thing Sony didn't put in the PS Eye but then again its software that can fix that because "Eye Of Judgment" use a scan power to pick up the cards and the people that say it doesn't work in the dark......I works a heck alot better the Playstation EyeToy (Upgrade Eye's lol) so yeah it is alot better.

But we all have to see how each company plays their cards.

[TheColbertinator]

I'm gonna eat that thing

[LinuxGuru]

Hehe looks fun =)

[yorkie]

Eye pet does look good but I dont see what Natal offers you that Eye pet doesn't. It is amazing how many people went wow about Natal even though Eye pet was shown last year and passed without much of a mention.

[Sir Ken_Kutaragi]

"Impressions: RRoDPet (ChatBox360)" ;-D

[Silly gameAr]

now after I saw that Eyepet trailer, I don't know why. I'm thinking of getting this with the Eyetoy. The little ones would love it.

[Ravage27]

wouldn't be cool if this was linked with Free Realms? For e.g, u could capture pets from the wild during the game and u can tame/train/torture it using eyepet :D

[THC CELL]

for sony to skip 8 days and getaway
this game will be beyond Microsoft offers

[jay2]

Cant beleive we losse getaway 3 AND 8 days for this.

[Milky]

Getaway 3 and 8 days were vaporware, and Eyepet didn't cause them to get cancelled.

[LinuxGuru]

Yeah if you really think a PSEye title was the reason for the death of 8 days or Getaway...I'd beg to differ.

[Lanontscuz]

i have been waiting on this eyepet ..my kids would love this...well they can play with it while im not on playing lol

[Sheikh Yerbouti]

Just don't let him get wet!

[Dellis]

This is Milo but with Pet, take that MS

This has Minority report type feature, take that MS

[gluv65]

BBC plays Eye pet at E3, skip to the 2:38 min of the video and you will see it action. someone should make this a post all by itself, so people will see that its real.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/...

[PLAYSTATIONGENRATION]

i wonder can u hurt this thing

[bjornbear]

I dno why they didn't show it at E3 =/ it would be a great smack to Natal...i honestly am SICK of the media and MS saying "its the future of gaming"....when its been done so many times =/ hell this is proof! its like a cuter functioning working version of Milo...

Shame on the media...

[lewis]

draw a new pet and see what happens.

[Lord Kutaragi]

Kill him with fire .
PS- EyePet looks amazing .. I always believed.