Eye Toy Play

A series of party video games developed by London Studio that utilize the PlayStation 2 EyeToy motion camera accessory.

Games

2003–2005

Years

Platforms

$4.65

Ø CIB

-13.7%

24M change

About

The EyeToy: Play series is a collection of motion-controlled minigames designed for the PlayStation 2. Starting with the original EyeToy: Play in 2003, the franchise showcased the capabilities of the EyeToy USB camera, allowing players to interact with the screen using physical gestures. The series expanded with sequels and spin-offs, including EyeToy: Play 2 in 2004 and EyeToy: Play Pom Pom Party, which integrated physical props like pom-poms.

Developed primarily by SCE London Studio, the franchise served as Sony's flagship showcase for computer vision technology. The debut title, Eye Toy Play (2003), introduced players to interactive tasks like window washing and rhythm matching, later receiving a budget re-release as Eye Toy Play [Platinum] (2003). Building on this technology, Eye Toy Play 2 (2004) expanded the gameplay with improved motion tracking, tournament modes, and more complex minigames. This sequel was subsequently re-released as Eye Toy Play 2 [Platinum] (2004) and packaged for new users as Eye Toy Play 2 [with Camera] (2005).

The franchise also experimented with physical peripherals to enhance detection accuracy. This led to the release of Eye Toy Play: Pom Pom Party [Camera Bundle] (1999) and its subsequent edition Eye Toy Play: Pom Pom Party [Camera Bundle] (2000), which utilized brightly colored pom-poms to track player movements during dance routines. By utilizing simple color-thresholding algorithms, these titles paved the way for future camera-based gaming peripherals, establishing a foundation for gesture-based home entertainment.