David-NelsonAt that fancy conference where the PS4 was revealed we learned something shocking about the new system. It was a huge deal. It could even be considered a kind of capitulation on behalf of Sony. It was so strange. And nobody talked about it.
It's that Sony's new console will come with its own sort-of-built-in version of Kinect in the form of a specialized camera called the PS4 Eye. It's inside a black bar that we will have to put somewhere so it can see us and our controllers and hear us holler at it.
Sure we learned the tech specs (a resolution of 1280×800 running at 60Hz) and a few of the things it can do (facial recognition login, controller recognition, motion controls) but I have yet to find out how much of a role this thing is going to play for the PS4's games. Some people were leery of the share button but at least that is optional to use.
This generation the PS Eye and Microsoft's Kinect were optional peripherals. The PS4 Eye was revealed alongside the PS4 as part of the console. My horrendous experience with the sensor bar of the Wii has me a little worried about all of this. Are we going to have to find a place for this thing like the Wii's sensor bar no matter how poorly it lines up with our eye level? I don't plan to use it so can I just unplug it and put it in a drawer and pretend it never existed? If not, how does it stand up to cats and kids?
Hopefully if the cheaper of the rumored two launch models of the PS4 doesn't have the camera then we will have our answer. It's just that there's a temptation for hardware companies to get carried away with these widgets.
I'm skeptical about the PS4 Eye, I can only see myself using it at party events or if I have little one's that want one so I can play with. So if does come with the premium model, I'll end up probably buying the base model.
Last edited by AcHiLLiA on 5/19/2013 12:11:15 AM
My roomate bought a kinect brand new and says he loves it! It was like $150 and he only uses it for voice commands.
I don't see this being any more useful than voice commands.
But (if I had to guess) I do think sony will include it with every ps4 console.
Yeah they are going to have to if they want it to be any type of success.
Well…the in-game voice commands that kinect brought to NFS: MW sound like they would have been quite beneficial during game play.
People say Kinect like it did this first. Back in what… 03? PS eye did what Kinect did. MS just used new tech to make it better.
So, going by what you are suggesting, we can never give Sony credit for the great system that the PS4 turns to be because of the Vectrex? Sony's just doing the same thing it did with better tech?
I'm not really worried about what came first, this dual camera bar and its capabilities seem to be trying to out-Kinect Kinect, which isn't hard.
I'm still curious as to why the damn Eye still doesn't sport full 1080p resolution at 60Hz?
Is it really that hard of a target for them to hit if they are going to be putting one with every PS4, essentially shoving it down people's throats whether they want it or not?
Personally, I am fine with having the Eye included with the PS4, but at least do it right, and not half-assed FFS.
Last edited by JROD0823 on 5/19/2013 1:55:17 AM
Well I think that's per lense, but its not really meant as a camera, its for motion tracking.
I was a fan of the original Eyetoy, then the PS Eye (before Move, and obviously after), so it's good to see the tech get an upgrade.
But – it had better bloody be optional. The eye controls are excellent for sports/fitness/dance games, as well as some unique puzzle and strategy ideas, but for plenty of experiences they should stay right out. I want one, but I want it to be optional so that devs don't start getting silly ideas.
The PlayStation 4 Camera cannot be mandatory or required to do anything except for obviously PS4 Camera that are Camera only (like Move only games). Nothing can be required or mandatory except for a compatible controller to use the PS4, if not, it is just as bad as internet required or Kinect required to use 720.
EDIT: As for every PS4 coming with a PS4 Camera, it would be bad because the price would go up. Since it SHOULDN'T be required to use PS4 (and if it is I won't get a PS4), there should be at least one good PS4 bundle that doesn't come with the Camera.
Last edited by amonte64 on 5/19/2013 2:07:24 AM
We need the camera to recognize the light bar on DS4 right, in Move like way?
The title of this article sounds like the lead-in of a Jerry Seinfeld joke.
Also, if there are two lenses shouldn't it be called PS Eyes or something similar?
lol, it's supposed to sound that way. And I considered that, but "PS4 Eyes" would probably sound too creepy because people are worried about being spied on already.
I'm glad I got the reference then.
I was also thinking Eye^2 (Eye squared) but one squared is still one, so…not a good name.
Whatever the case, I hope it is compatible with the current gen Move controllers… That'd be kind of a bummer if not.
As far as I know they WILL be. Move will give you more accurate motion controls where games allow it to.
The video game community and industry is so sad. Somehow I get thumbs down. Why? because so many gamers are loyalists to these corporations and their slaves even though these companies don't care about us at all and actually do very greedy and anti consumer practices. Even companies themselves have said that gamers are loyalists and no matter what they do or charge they will buy it.
I dart care if it is Part of the system or a peripheral Separate because its no different than what we have now. You either Plug it in an set it up next to your tv or you simply don't even have to bother with it . I also don't think the eye will Play any different of a roll than it is now . Its up to the developers to use it how they wish. And why not make the tech better for the developers? It only enhances Products for consumers.
Last edited by bigrailer19 on 5/19/2013 4:05:51 PM
I bought a Kinect for Dance Central and UFC Trainer. Both work really well, and I would much prefer the Kinect over holding a Move controller while all hot and sweaty.
I really hope it does come bundled and DOES work like the Kinect, cos movement based games (while limited) are a lot of fun, especially for dance games and fitness games.
If the PS4 could do the same as Kinect (body tracking input with no need for a controller) I would see no need for the next Xbox at all!!!