Sony unleashed a blitz of new and exciting announcements at last week's Games Convention in Leipzig, Germany. From new hardware developments like the PSP-3000 to game showings like Heavy Rain, Sony held no punches at the convention. As a result of this stampede of announcements, some games were obviously left behind, receiving little to no attention from the press. And its really a shame too, because one of those games left in the shadows is potentially Sony's biggest system seller of 2009.
EyePet: Your Virtual Pet made its debut last week at GC, and is SCE London's latest project. As the title suggest, it is a PlayStation Eye game, which probably explains why EyePet was cast to category of uninteresting drivel from the start. Using the PlayStation Eye camera, EyePet creates a fully customizable virtual pet that you can interact with. The creature is fully aware of it's environment and will react accordingly to it. If you go to touch it, it will allow you to tickle and play with it. If you roll a ball at it, it will avoid it and then go check it out. EyePet also allows you to draw objects onto a piece of paper and then transform it into a 3D model that you can use to interact with the pet via the Dual Shock controller.
Hardcore gamers will roll their eyes at the notion of EyePet selling systems, but they honestly need look no further then Nintendo's smash hit, Nintendogs. Nintendogs, a DS game that's similarly focused on training and playing with various types of dogs, is the best selling title on the DS. Nintendo's blockbuster has sold close to 20 million copies since it's release 3 years ago. To put that number in perspective, that means 1 in every 4 DS owner has Nintendogs. On top of that, the game still regularly appears on the weekly top 50 best selling lists. Nintendogs proves their is a huge market for this kind of game, and since Nintendo has still yet to announce a Nintendogs sequel, that leaves the gap pretty wide open.
While other developers rush to try to fill this gap, such as UbiSoft and their Petz line up, none have managed to breathe new life into the genre, its sorely lacking any innovation. EyePet may be the title that eclipses Nintendogs. For the first time, you can actually physically interact with your virtual pet. Its goes past the point and click interactions that Nintendogs provides. You are using your own two hands to interact with your pet, the same living, breathing environment you're in is the same one your pet is in. This concept is unique enough to create some serious buzz amongst both gamers and non-gamers. EyePet is a game both parents and children can sit down with and have an absolute blast. Not only will EyePet fill the pet sim gap, but it will also diversify the PS3's library with a true family friendly game. And because of this wide spread appeal, EyePet will move consoles like perhaps no other game can.
With still another year in development, we haven't even begun to scratch the surface of EyePet, either. While we only know of a few methods of interaction right now, the possibilites are literally limitless. Voice commands for the pet, PSP remote play to check on your pet, the ability to have your pet crossover into HOME and other games, there is really just so much Sony can do with this game. Hopefully Sony realizes what a potential hit they have on their hands and are able to deliver a truly unique and innovative experience. Until then, we can only wait and see.
Tycoon: This is a problem with Sony's marketing, because...they don't actually know how to market something casuals (besides movie buffs) want.
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