Xbox 360 Camera Prepares To Say Cheese!

Source CVG

EyeToy's success showed that a wider gaming public had an appetite for innovative peripherals, and so it was really no surprise to discover Microsoft's plans for an Xbox 360 camera - a camera that may be drawing closer to release than we thought.
Originally pencilled in as part of plans for the console's launch, the 360's camera was jettisoned to make room for a smoother debut. However, the appearance of the camera is now apparently drawing extremely close, as it's been debuted and demo-ed to leading developers in the last week. It might even be unveiled at this year's Game Developers Conference in March, although E3 may be more likely.

Speaking exclusively to CVG, development sources said they'd been impressed by the camera's credentials, although anyone expecting an EyeToy-style gameplay revolution may have to hold their fire for the moment. The demo was largely confined to Messenger-style chat functionality, allowing you to see as well as speak to your friends and relations across Xbox Live and of course indulge in live video chat.
However, we have to say it probably won't be too long before MS and its various devs start to unveil code which utilises the camera in more innovative and imaginative gameplay ways. Still, even if it's a chance to taunt your opponents face to face for the moment that'd be a welcome start, but we'd put a cheeky tenner on some form of movement recognition software and EyeToy-style games accompanying the camera's release.

No word of course on what it'll be called either at the moment, so we're going to dub it the X-Toy - but it seems it won't be too long before you can cry 'lights, camera and action!' And maybe you can give MS some ideas - how would you like to see the X-Toy deployed to enhance your 360 gaming experience? Let us know in the comments field below.