Augmentify

Engadget is running a piece about a new game from PlayStation that goes with their PS-Eye camera, called the EyePet. Essentially it’s an augmented reality tamagotchi – the little critter needs to be fed, loved, cleaned and so on, and walks around your living room. Be sure to check out the embedded video – this virtual pet is really realistic.

The great thing for toy developers is that they no longer have to be limited to what manufacturing (and costs) will allow in a physical toy. And for the kids (and adults) that play with it, its surprising how quickly we can bond with an inanimate object, and can be delighted by the advanced way it can react and grow over time.

“Inanimate” is the wrong word, because as you can see in the video, it can react to you, and the environment. So it’s this really weird hybrid situation where the pet feels more real than just staring at a traditional on-screen beast (because you can see it climbing over your very own coffee table), and yet at the same time, there’s a disconnect, because as you move your hands towards it, you’re still forced to stare at a T.V elsewhere in the room to appreciate its reaction.

Of course, as soon as we have non-intrusive AR data glasses, or retinal projection, that problem will go away.

You can bet your bottom dollar that a large number of parents will opt for giving their child a pet that doesn’t wreck the carpet, need walking, or ring up vet bills. And never needs a funeral. Whether removing our children from interacting with real animals is a Good Thing or not, we’ll have to see. But this hints at some of the human issues we’ll have to tackle as this technology evolves.

Expect the EyePet this holiday.