Philips has announced plans to take uWand, its gesture-based pointing remote control, into the world of gaming.
The company has signed a partnership with video game publisher Gamious to bring same-screen multiplayer gaming to Smart TV.
Philips has enhanced the technology to enable up to four uWand equipped remotes to be used simultaneously and to individually control distinct on-screen elements.
It’s staging a demo at IBC 2013 with Gamious’ latest title, Dark Day LA. In the game, one player assumes the role of a vampire trying to mingle with the crowds, while the other is a police sniper tasked with tracking the vampire down.
“TV is a social experience and gaming is a social experience, but until now a multiplayer gaming experience has required a games console. Our technology and partnership with Gamious shows how that gap can be bridged and new audiences addressed,” said Navin Natoewal, general manager at Philips uWand. “We are seeing growing consumer demand for a more sophisticated TV remote control, both for navigating complex Smart TV EPGs and also for multiplayer gaming. uWand technology is the answer.”
uWand works with an infrared camera embedded within the body of a remote control. The camera monitors the remote’s position relative to a small ‘beacon’ on the TV. This direct pointing technology makes uWand ideal for multiplayer gaming, as the cursor appears exactly where the user is pointing, and now up to four remote controls can be monitored at once.
