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Wii-like control tech for Western mobile devs
Michael French Nov 8 2007, 11:45am
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GestureTek looking to give mobile game studios tools to make motion-sensing games
Canadian technology outfit GestureTek, which has already provided gesture-based controls to Sony's EyeToy, is looking to deliver motion-sensing mobile tech it has rolled out in Japan to developers around the world.
As reported in the latest issue of Develop's sister magazine Mobile Entertainment, earlier this year the firm launched a mobile version of its technology, called EyeMobileEngine, which NTT DoCoMo built into its Panasonic P904i and Sharp SH904i handsets - over one million of the devices have been sold and DoCoMo has around 70 'Chokkan' motion-sensitive games available.
EyeMobile uses the phone's camera to recognise and respond to hand and body movement, which means handset firms don't need to add new technology to allow for motion-sensing.
GestureTek is now preparing to push the technology around the world. It already signed a partnership with Telefonica to make motion-sensitive games available across the Spanish operator's global network and is talking to Hands-On to aid its reach out to smaller developers. The firm has a history in working with American carriers on innovative phone games, also, having produced a handful of titles for Verizon including 3D Tilt A World and Camera Phone Darts.
Ed Fowlwer, GM of GestureTek, told ME: "Our experiences with DoCoMo in Japan and Verizon Wireless in the US prove to us just how huge the potential is for what we call 'shake, rock and roll' technology. I think it could have a huge impact on the mobile gaming space."
Comments
“Already got it in my phone”
Posted by: jimmyD - Nov 8, 12:53pm
My Sony Ericsson K850i already has tilt functions both when using the phone (like playing music and view pictures) and playing games such as Marble Madness where you tilt the phone to control the movement of the marble.
“GestureTek's EyeMobile engine”
Posted by: Patti - Nov 12, 4:26pm
“GestureTek’s EyeMobile engine has several advantages to accelerometers for gesture-based mobile games and applications. It offers both maxi and mini control, plus far more versatility and functionality in gesture-control. NTT DoCoMo in Jap****es GestureTek’s video gesture control technology to give people a mobile ga*****xperience that’s closer to the real thing. For example, people can swing their phones like they’re rolling a bowling ball in the Bowling Game, or dance around the ring taking punches at their opponent in the Boxing Game. Accelerometers can’t do that.”
“Re: GestureTek's EyeMobile engine”
Posted by: Derrick - Nov 12, 6:13pm
I've also heard the fact that the application is an add on software to camera phone hand sets, and is not an extra hardware and circuit board design cost to build it into the phone.