Hasta La Gadget!

Short Version

What do you get the person who already has everything? Sifteo Cubes might be the answer. These innovative little gaming devices work together to create interactive gaming experiences with very tactile, imaginative elements you just can’t get on a standard mobile device.

Long Version

Features:

• Modal design, additional cubes lead to different gaming experiences
• Computer-free design
• Blends traditional tabletop gaming with mobile computing

Info:

• Touch sensitive screen
• 128 x 128 pixel TFT LCD displays (per cube)
• Available: Ships in 7 business days
• MSRP: $129.95 for the starter set with 3 cubes and base, $29.95 for each additional cube
• Product page

Sifteo Cubes Are…

… totally unique mobile gaming gadgets, made up of individual squares each with their own LED display, that communicate with each other and a controller base to build changing game boards, world maps and more. This generation of Sifteo Cubes is an upgrade from last year’s model, bringing improved graphics and computer independent play. The cubes now work with a very portable base, meaning you can take these on car trips to keep the kids occupied, or wherever you want to go.

Buy Sifteo Cubes For…

… the playfully experimental people in your lives. Because they offer a wide range of content, Sifteo Cubes are actually suitable for a broad audience. If you want to get your kids playing with something a little more exploratory, challenging and engaging than your average iPad app, Sifteo Cubes fit the bill. And if you’re an adult who grew up loving tabletop gaming and want something that builds on that experience with unique digital elements, these are a good option, too.

Because…

… while mobile gaming continues to be an innovative space on platforms like smartphones and tablets, Sifteo is trying something completely different. The titles that are currently available all offer a slightly different take on the modular mechanics, and there’s bound to be many more on the way from talented developers. Plus, adding relatively inexpensive additional cubes to the three that ship in the starter set also adds more depth to game play. Basically  Sifteo Cubes are never boring, and in a world of uninspired Call of Duty sequels, that’s reason enough to gift these things.

A year after they were officially released to consumers, Sifteo’s game cubes are finally no longer tethered to your computer. Now you can enjoy this unique take on portable gaming, which has players re-arranging multiple tiny displays to solve puzzles and complete missions, wherever you’re willig to tote its base station. More »

It’s hard to believe, but Sifteo’s interactive gaming Cubes first went on sale just over a year ago. Fast forward to the present, and the company has unveiled version two of the MIT-born blocks. If you’ll recall, the 1.7-inch squares let you play interactive table-top games, each featuring a 1.5-inch LCD screen, motion sensing and wireless connectivity. With this next-gen variant, Sifteo’s improved the graphics, added capacitive touch to the screen (the original acted like a physical button) and doubled the amount of Cubes that can interact at once to 12. The V2 Cubes also come packed with a dedicated, AAA-powered, wireless base station / speaker that stores your titles, sparing the need for a computer to play as was the case with the originals — an onboard USB allows downloaded files to be transferred from your computers. Developers looking to create content for the device will also pleased to know that Sifteo’s releasing its next SDK on October 1st.

Ready for some tangibly-cute Cube gameplay? Pre-orders begin today at Sifteo’s website, priced at $130 for 3 Cubes with a base station and five games, and $30 for each additional cube. They’re set to ship in November, so in the meantime you’ll find details in the video demo and press release after the break.

Update: For those curious, we’ve learned that the original Cubes are not compatible with the new ones, but Sifteo has emailed owners with a $50 voucher that they can use toward upgrading.

Continue reading Sifteo Cubes go next-generation, square gaming gets more portable (update)

Filed under: Misc, Gaming

Sifteo Cubes go next-generation, square gaming gets more portable (update) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Aug 2012 09:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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