EyeToy

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.

This article is about the PlayStation 2 accessory and associated video game series. For the PlayStation 3 accessory, see PlayStation Eye. For the PlayStation 4 accessory, see PlayStation Camera.
EyeToy
DeveloperSony Computer Entertainment
ManufacturerLogitech, Namtai
Product familyPlayStation
TypeWebcam
GenerationSixth
Release date
Camera320×240 pixels,[1] capable of 640×480 pixels with custom drivers.
ConnectivityUSB 1.1[2] (type-A)
PlatformPlayStation 2
Dimensions44×53×89 mm (1.7×2.1×3.5 in)[2]
Mass173 g (6.1 oz)[2]
Cable length2 m (6.6 ft)[2]
Power draw50 mA[2]
LensheadManual focus ring
SensorOV7648[2]
ChipOV519[2]
SuccessorPlayStation Eye

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]

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.[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[8] (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.[7]

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 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.[7] 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.[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]

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[11] is the only OS which 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 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

Designed for EyeToy

25 games require the EyeToy for them to be played. All but the 2 Korean-exclusive ones were released in PAL Regions, while only 8 (with 2 third party) titles were released in North America.

Game titleYear releasedDeveloperPublisher
EyeToy: PlayJuly 2003 (Europe)
November 2003 (North America)		London StudioSony Computer Entertainment
EyeToy: GrooveNovember 2003 (Europe)
April 2004 (North America)		London StudioSony Computer Entertainment
U-Move Super SportsJuly 2004 (Japan)
October 2004 (Europe)		KonamiKonami
EyeToy: Monkey ManiaAugust 2004 (Japan)
March 2005 (Europe)		Japan StudioSony Computer Entertainment
Nicktoons Movin'October 2004 (North America)
November 2004 (Europe)		Mass MediaTHQ
Sega SuperstarsOctober 2004 (North America)
November 2004 (Europe)		Sonic TeamSega
EyeToy: AntiGravNovember 2004 (North America)
March 2005 (Europe)		HarmonixSony Computer Entertainment
EyeToy: Play 2November 2004 (Europe)
August 2005 (North America)		London StudioSony Computer Entertainment
Disney MoveNovember 2004 (Europe)Artificial Mind & MovementBuena Vista Games
EyeToy: EduKidsJanuary 2005 (Korea)SCE Korea
Arisu Media		Sony Computer Entertainment Korea
EyeToy: ChatFebruary 2005 (Europe)London StudioSony Computer Entertainment Europe
EyeToy: TalesMarch 2005 (Korea)SCE KoreaSony Computer Entertainment Korea
YetiSports Arctic AdventuresJuly 2005 (Europe)Pirate GamesJoWooD Productions
EyeToy: KineticSeptember 2005 (Europe)
November 2005 (North America)		London StudioSony Computer Entertainment
SpyToyOctober 2005 (Europe)
November 2005 (North America)		London StudioSony Computer Entertainment
EyeToy: Play 3November 2005 (Europe)London StudioSony Computer Entertainment Europe
Rythmic Star!April 2006 (Europe)NamcoIgnition Entertainment/Namco
Clumsy ShumsyOctober 2006 (Europe)Phoenix GamesPhoenix Games
EyeToy: Kinetic CombatNovember 2006 (Europe)London StudioSony Computer Entertainment Europe
EyeToy Play: SportsNovember 2006 (Europe)London StudioSony Computer Entertainment Europe
Bob the Builder (game)August 2007 (Europe)Atomic Planet EntertainmentMastertronic Group
Thomas & Friends: A Day at the RacesAugust 2007 (Europe)Broadsword InteractiveMastertronic Group
EyeToy Play: Astro ZooNovember 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
  1. Marks, Richard (2010-11-03). "EyeToy, Innovation and Beyond". Sony Computer Entertainment America. Archived from the original on 2016-10-06. Retrieved 2010-12-01.
  2. EyeToy specifications, published by Sony with EyeToy instruction manual.
  3. "Eyetoy On Computer Project". SourceForge. Archived from the original on 15 June 2009.
  4. "PlayStation.com - PLAYSTATION®3 - Network - friends". 2008-11-09. Archived from the original on November 9, 2008. Retrieved 2013-01-28.
  5. Kim, Tom (2008-11-06). "In-Depth: Eye To Eye - The History Of EyeToy". Gamasutra. Archived from the original on 2017-08-23. Retrieved 2008-11-15.
  6. Robischon, Noah (13 November 2003). "Smile, Gamers: You're in the Picture". The New York Times (published 2003-11-13). pp. G1. ISSN 0362-4331. OCLC 1645522. Archived from the original on 2018-04-17. Retrieved 2009-06-10.
  7. Pham, Alex (2004-01-18). "EyeToy Springs From One Man's Vision". Los Angeles Times. pp. C1. ISSN 0458-3035. OCLC 3638237. Archived from the original on 2016-03-05. Retrieved 2009-06-10.
  8. Richard Marks (2004-01-21). EyeToy: A New Interface for Interactive Entertainment. Stanford University. Event occurs at 08:22. Archived from the original (Windows Media v7) on 2011-04-15. Retrieved 2009-06-20.
  9. Drivers for Windows and Linux free and with support from: Archived copy Archived March 27, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  10. "Eyetoy black/silver, whats the difference?". NeoGAF. 8 November 2006. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  11. "Torvalds/Linux". GitHub. 16 October 2021.
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