Get Off the Couch and Into the Game This Holiday Season With EyeToy: AntiGrav

Nov. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. announced today the release of EyeToy: AntiGrav, the first and only 3D character based EyeToy game that uses facial and body recognition technology to control a character in futuristic hoverboard gameplay. Representing the next step in the evolution of the EyeToy technology and physical and interactive gaming, EyeToy: AntiGrav is developed by Harmonix Music Systems, Inc., the creators of Frequency, Amplitude and Karaoke Revolution. It also follows EyeToy: Play, which sold more than 4 million units worldwide since its release, and EyeToy: Groove, which enables players to dance in time with one of 28 licensed songs.

"The success of EyeToy shows that gamers are eager to jump on board with innovative and fun new ways to interact with their PlayStation 2," said Joe Brisbois, producer, Sony Computer Entertainment America. "EyeToy: AntiGrav gets gamers off the couch and allows them to become physically immersed in the game, in a way that has never before been possible."

With the USB EyeToy camera aimed at the player and plugged into a PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, the gamer enters the short calibration process before beginning the fast-paced, active gameplay. The camera uses a combination of advanced facial and motion tracking technology to lock onto the player and capture movement. The gamer's movements are then used to control steering, jumping, ducking, grinding, acceleration, braking, and tricks, as they interact with the environment and avoid obstacles.

In addition to playing EyeToy: AntiGrav for a fun and interactive gaming experience, the gameplay challenges both the mind and the body to get the heart pumping. "EyeToy: AntiGrav combines the traditional entertainment component of videogaming with mandated physical activity to create a new videogame category," said James C. Rosser, Jr., MD, chief of minimally invasive surgery and director of the Advanced Medical Technology Institute, Beth Israel Medical Center. "With obesity being healthcare public enemy number one, and reaching epidemic portions in our nation's youth, this game will have an impact that will extend far beyond that of personal entertainment. EyeToy: AntiGrav transforms the passive gaming experience into a gaming platform that provides a smorgasbord of physical activity. In our preliminary analysis, with a small number of people, the pulse rate of gamers increased an average of 41 percent after only five minutes of participation. This strongly suggests that this game could be an excellent way to increase energy expenditure."

When playing in one of the five game environments, the motion tracker is positioned in the lower right hand corner of the screen, so the player can see how their movements correspond in real time to the movements of one of the eight hoverboard racers that they have selected.

After first completing the tutorial, players can choose to rack up points in Style mode, compete against three other AI-controlled hoverboard racers in Speed mode, or beat their friend's best performance in Multiplayer mode. Gamers will grind on rails, fly through rings, hit target combos, crouch to initiate turbo boosts and perform sick tricks in the air, all in futuristic urban and rural settings.

Even professional boarder, Shaun White has taken interest in the game. "EyeToy: AntiGrav is one of the most exciting games I have ever played. You have to put your whole body into playing it."

EyeToy: AntiGrav will be available with the EyeToy USB camera for a suggested retail price of $49.99. To increase excitement and awareness for the title, a massive marketing campaign is in effect.

The independent Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) has rated EyeToy: AntiGrav "E" for Everyone. For more information about the ESRB visit www.esrb.org.

Visit Sony on the Web at www.us.playstation.com

Source: Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.