Gametrak
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Gametrak is a 3-dimensional input device, designed for use with videogames systems. It was invented in 2000 by Elliott Myers, formerly Head of Research and Development for Radica Games. Myers founded In2Games in 2000, to investigate ways of combining games software with bespoke hardware to create new games.
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[edit] Technology
Gametrak uses a patented (United States patent number 6,697,760) mechanical system for tracking absolute position in 3D space in real time. By tracking two positions, it is possible, for example, to track a user's hands, or the position and orientation of a sword, baseball bat or other real world device, and to put these positions into a game environment in real time.
[edit] Games
Gametrak was released for PlayStation 2 in October 2004 in Europe, bundled with a fighting game called Dark Wind. Dark Wind used a first-person perspective, tracking the positions of players' hands to allow them to punch and block onscreen opponents. The game received mixed reviews but went on to sell around 60,000 copies and won the 'best of show' award at the Leipzig Games Convention.
In August 2005, In2Games launched Real World Golf, its second game for the Gametrak system, into Europe. Peaking at number 3 in the UK PlayStation 2 charts, Real World Golf came bundled with a 'mini club'. By using the Gametrak to track a player's movements as they swing the mini-club, Real World Golf puts the player's swing into the game in real time.
Gametrak, along with an enhanced version of Real World Golf, launched in the US on April 11 2006 for PlayStation 2 and Xbox formats, distributed by Mad Catz, Inc.
[edit] Gametrak Fusion
On October 20, 2006, a wire-free version, named Gametrak Fusion was revealed at a press event in London, using a patent-pending ultrasonic technology.[1] In2Games positioned the control system as a competitive alternative to the Wii Remote.[2] The Gametrak Fusion is scheduled to launch in summer/fall 2007, with a base unit and wand expected to retail for less than £30 (approx. US$56, c.2006).[3]
