Kuju Entertainment announced that they are currently working on the latest EyeToy: Play title, EyeToy: Play Sports.

The game will allow players to play a variety of sports mini-games through the EyeToy. Kuju studio head Ed Daly said. "The Play Sports project underlines Kuju's commitment to lifestyle/social gaming, reaching out to parts of the market that other games can't reach."

Currently EyeToy: Play Sports is scheduled to release in Europe at the end of 2006. No word if the game will be making its way stateside.

This review was originally published on Gaming Horizon, GameBump's predecessor. Its format does not match our own but we support its content. It was written by Brian Mohr.

Nike Motion Works and Sony combined forces to create EyeToy: Kinetic, a new exercise/fitness game that helps you work off those unsightly pounds at home in front of your TV. The game focuses on helping players through a training regiment that works amazingly well with a personal trainer and various interactive workouts. This is easily the best EyeToy release in the two years since the camera came out.

When you first get into the game, you’ll want to place the wide-angle lens on the camera so that you’ll be able to use your entire body in the game. Like in many other EyeToy games, you accomplish workouts by moving your body, hands and legs. 

Jumping into the main menu, players are given four options, including tutorials, options, routine builder and personal trainer. The tutorial section includes various warm-up and stretch routines along with just a viewing of the different workouts you can do. Meanwhile, the options menu enables you to adjust your camera, screen and volume.

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This review was originally published on Gaming Horizon, GameBump's predecessor. Its format does not match our own but we support its content. It was written by Brian Mohr.

Sony’s EyeToy has been a hit or miss item since its release just over two years ago with EyeToy: Play. Since then we’ve seen various titles release for the product, but none has really stood out and completely taken advantage of the camera’s capabilities. Sadly, EyeToy: Operation Spy might just be the worst camera-based title to date for Sony’s peripheral as it's way too repetitive and frustrating to deal with.

In Operation Spy, players take on the role of a secret agent with the SIA. Your goal, if you choose to accept it, is to take down a handful of criminals by matching IDs, skydiving to their locations, cracking codes and capturing pictures of them.

The first thing you’ll notice when starting up Operation Spy is that the presentation is pretty good. On the screen is a menu with various options including messaging, options, security, database and missions. Once you go to create a file the game will take your picture and scan your face. Surprisingly, the facial security works well; if you change your facial expression it will fail to identify you. You’ll also put in a security code just in case through your controller. The menus are obviously simple, but pull off the look for the game.

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EyeToy: Operation Spy offers two unique modes: Gameplay and Surveillance. Gameplay mode allows players to enroll at the SIA and train to master the art of espionage. Surveillance mode is a robust security system that uses the EyeToy USB camera (sold separately) to secretly capture footage of unwanted intruders. New face-recognition technology allows players to create unique profiles that only they can unlock.

Look for more on this title soon.

This review was originally published on Gaming Horizon, GameBump's predecessor. Its format does not match our own but we support its content. It was written by Aaron Thomas.

Chances are pretty good that if you own an EyeToy, you haven’t used it in quite some time. EyeToy Play 2 is the first game in quite awhile to come out for the popular, yet seldom used peripheral. Like the original, Play 2 is a collection of minigames that are primarily geared towards group play, but this time around there’s more depth and a wider variety of things to do. It’s a solid sequel, but in spite of the added depth, Play 2 gets old quickly if you’re playing alone.

EyeToy Play 2 improves upon the original in every way. There are more things to do, the motion-sensing is better, and most games have more than one gameplay element, making the whole experience more enjoyable. The playroom is back, and there are several fun diversions for anyone that doesn’t feel like playing a game – it’s a great place for non-gamers who are intrigued by the EyeToy. You can control a submarine with your voice, color with your hands, cast spells, and even tour the solar system. There’s even a demo of the futuristic sky-boarding game, Anti-Grav, included.

Play 2 has a mode called “SpyToy” that essentially turns your PS2 into a home surveillance device. This feature is primarily for kids, but that doesn’t mean it’s not cool. You can set the camera up to secretly take pictures if someone comes into view, take time lapse shots for a whole day, or if you want to scare people, you can leave the TV on so messages are displayed and an alarm goes off if your area is breached. One can only imagine the incriminating evidence that could have been gathered on nosy siblings back in the day.

Twelve new games are included, though several of them, like Kung 2, are new and improved versions of previous EyeToy games. The games that aren’t new feature new levels, bosses, and tasks, so they end up feeling fresh. Table Tennis, HomeRun, Goal Attack, Air Guitar, and Mr. Chef are some of the new games, and they’re all a blast. HomeRun requires you to swing at a pitch and then wave your arms in a running motion to round the bases. Your picture actually moves around the bases while you run, and while it looks goofy, it’s quite fun. Air Guitar is a simplistic music game where you move your hands up and down the next of a virtual guitar in time with the falling icons. It’s fun for a while, but it’s pacing is poor so it gets old quickly.

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This preview was originally published on Gaming Horizon, GameBump's predecessor. Its format does not match our own but we support its content.

Another unique game has hit the videogame industry. It’s called, EyeToy Chat that is being developed by Sony Computer Entertainment London Studios. EyeToy Chat isn’t a game, but rather a neat “option” for the PlayStation 2. Chat uses the standard EyeToy and you will be able to conduct live video and audio conversations with anybody across the world.

Each user will have a unique name with an address book that can hold up to 255 names at once. You’ll need to know the name or jump into the available chat rooms and ask to be added to their list if you want to talk to them. You can send video, audio, and text messages to people as well.

Chat will contain several chat rooms that you will be able to join. For example, Sony plans to implement a general chat room, sports chat room, videogame chat room, and many other unannounced ones. These chat rooms will not have video enabled, but you will still be able to use audio and text. A keyboard can also be hooked up VIA USB.

Video streaming can only be conducted with one other person. So don’t expect to do video with three or four people. Although, audio and text conferences can hold up to sixteen people in one room. The quality of the video is quite well. It isn’t top of the line, but it does show the other feed in some clear fashion. There are also mini games that you can play with your friends. Chess, battleship, checkers, and several other classic games will be integrated.

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