Virtual Masters Reel AR Fishing Game
Posted in: Gadgets, gaming, PRODUCT INNOVATIONS, Today's Chili, ToysJapanese game manufacturer Takara Tomy showcased a particularly realistic virtual handheld fishing game called Virtual Masters Reel AR Fishing at this years Toy Show in Tokyo. Set to be released in July of this year, the fishing rod shaped gadget allows players to engage in a full fishing experience regardless of their location, thanks to a built in 2.4 inch liquid crystal monitor and a rod console that mimics the actual sensation of real fishing gear. Using Augmented Reality (AR), it contains a 0.3 megapixel camera that allows players to take photos of wherever they are and use them as the “environment” to go fishing in.
The Virtual Masters Reel aims at providing a full user sensory fishing experience to players in numerous ways. Instead of merely pushing different colored buttons on a standard handheld game, players actually cast the rod into the ocean (or whatever environment they are fishing in), and based on the strength and angle of the cast, the distance of the float is recorded and players physically wind the virtual spool up to the desired displayed depth. When a blue virtual fish approaches the float, the player is alerted with a vibration and must give the device a tug to hook the prey. As they are reeling the virtual fish in, the screen displays a tension meter, which (based on the strength) causes the reel to actually bend accordingly, and is surprisingly realistic. The fiestier the fish, the stronger the bend, and the more difficult it is to reel it in; reflected in a tightening of the fishing line. Finally, using the tension meter as a guide, the player claims his prize with one last powerful tug on the rod.
The AR segment in Takara Tomy’s new toy is an interesting added feature. Its built in camera can take photos to be stored on a miniSD card, which can then be transferred onto a computer. Unfortunately the reverse is not possible, but an updated version where any picture can be transferred to be used as a fishing arena would be a nice touch. This would allow fishermen to do the impossible, such as catching prey in the grand canyon by simply downloading a picture of it from Google Images. The sound effects also enhance the realism with specific sounds such as the bait hitting the water, the water ripples, and the flight of the float as users cast out.
The Virtual Masters Reel game can appeal to all age groups, regardless of whether they have had previous fishing experience or not. It is exciting to see the term AR being used in such toys enjoyed by a wide range of consumers, rather than hi-tech machines that only tech savvy users know how to operate. Takara Tomy predicts that with the recent turn towards outdoor leisure activities, the famous “Yama (Mountain) Girls” would be followed by “Tsuri (Fishing) Girls” this year (there area already enough girls in Tokyo already walking around in wellington boots!), supporting July’s release date.
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