Totem Ball is Microsoft's free venture into the world of the new Xbox Live Vision Camera. It's a smart little idea. Like Katamari, you control a free-moving rolling creature that progresses across a simple landscape collecting "totems." Each totem you collect adds a musical instrument to the soundtrack, building a full more rocking beat. The more you collect, the better the music and the more doors you open up to progress. Seems like a decent little concept in theory. Too bad it works so poorly you'll actually want your money back. Only it's free.
Although both high-definition consoles currently have camera peripherals out on the market, it seems Sony and Microsoft have two rather different strategies regarding the integration of cameras into the console entertainment experience. Join The Exploding Barrel as we compare the cameras' features, the roles they play for the two consoles, and the the variety of applications that take advantage of these ocular add-ons.
yeah the PS Eye is great, although it looks kinda weird
and once again, another feature is done better on PS3 with more capabilities and quality and the software to go along with it- Trials of Topoq is great fun
and it will be great fun when Sony implement that feature that lets you control the XMB with the Eye
I can't argue with you here. Sony has done so much more with there camera than MS has. It seems like MS is using theres primarily as a communication device while Sony is using it for both communication device and game peripheral.
yeah man i don't know why you hate the PS3 so much
in a couple of your posts you said stuff like KZ2 is one of your most anticipated titles of 08 and you like stuff like the eye
it seems to me that you like your PS3 more than you let on
consoles, but neither of the cams. I have considered picking up one of them however. It sounds as if the ps3 model is better, but all my friends are on live, not psn so that kinda sucks. does the ps3 cam plug into a usb like live vision? that would be another downer because I have the 40 bg ps3 which means only 2 usb and both on the front. I guess the same could be said for my 360 though because i have wireless adapter plugged into the back of my 360. thanks for the write up, gives me something to ponder...def think its cool up to 6 people can have web chat at once on the eye, this is a feature we've been asking 4 4ever on live
Yeah dude, it's USB, but you should be able to get a cheap adapter at Radio Shack. May go for a powered adapter, just to be safe... and I'm not sure if the mic will work if you go through a passthrough. (USB extension cords don't allow sound data to pass through, I hear.) Good luck though.
The Eye is a must have though. The Vision is really just a fun extra, but the Eye is fantastic. So long Blue-Tooth headset!
i got one from local ebay seller. i couldnt find it at all UK's store. They were all out of stock.
That this article appears just when i was considering getting a PS Eye...how strange.
I also love the part where it said " instances of flailing your arms around like a jackass", who wasn't thinking of the Wii...COM'ON!
Graeme Boyd from the Xbox Community Network recently caught up with Aaron Fothergill, lead engineer at Strange Flavour Games for TotemBall to ask him some questions on the recently released Xbox Live Arcade title.
Playing with your Xbox Live Vision camera just got a little physical now that "TotemBall" is coming to Xbox Live Arcade. The gesture-based game uses Xbox Live Vision to control the characters in the game. Help Pterry the Pturtel uncover all the musical totems while grooving to your own "totem" beat. The game is offered for FREE on Xbox Live Arcade, starting Wednesday, October 4 at 0800 GMT (1 am PDT).
GAME FOCUS:
When the ancient Ptolmec tribe simultaneously discovered gunpowder and barbeque, the explosive results scattered their musical totems across the jungle! Now Pterry the Pturtle must roll over mountains, cross islands, scale pyramids, and battle giant pinball games to retrieve the lost totems and bring music back to the party.
GAME MODES & FEATURES:
With high-definition graphics, Xbox Live Vision camera compatibility, Xbox Live Achievements and Leaderboards, this next-gen title provides hours of fun.
"TotemBall" includes multiple game modes including:
*
TotemBall – Camera-controlled platforming gameplay – gamers control the characters in the game by moving their hands in the air and gesturing in front of the camera
* Juggling - Co-op juggling game with one player using Xbox Live Vision and the other player "juggling" totems with the controller
* Pinball - Play any of the bonus pinball tables that have been unlocked through regular TotemBall play
* Freeplay – Explore the game with no time pressure and infinite lives – great mode for kids
* Super Challenge – Play the entire game with one life and a time limit in each level
* TotemJam – Freely mix and match the game's musical totems – another fun exploration game for kids
WHEN CAN I GET IT: Download "TotemBall" tomorrow, Wednesday, October 4, at 1am PST on Xbox Live Arcade.
"TotemBall" (Strange Flavour/Freeverse): FREE
For more information please visit Xbox.com
so that is going to be our game this wednesday? totemball, a game that was suppose to be out on Sept 19? I don't know, I hope they got this fixed because I heard rumors on the inside of MS that the games detection ablitity kind of sucked.
First console to have full degree's of motion sensing in games. WOW. This game should be fun. Thanks Microsoft. Keep pushing the next gen in the right direction. Everyone talks about what they are doing in the next gen...but you are delivering before the competition is. you can't copy when you are first. When I bought the 360...I had no idea that it would eventually display 1080p...I had no idea I would have next gen movie format, I never knew that there would be a camera that enables face mapping in games and voice recognition in games and full degree's of motion sensing in games. All prior to the competition. Thats called underpromising and Over delivering. WOW
thus game hurts me arms !!!
but then again it was FREE.
not realy its supposed to be prt of vision package
well thats because they werent finished wit it by deadline and decided to put it up on market instead off packing a code wit da camera.
This review mirrors my feelings exactly.