Motion gaming has had a fascinating journey, starting with the EyeToy, reaching its peak with the Nintendo Wii, and later expanding to new audiences through the XBOX Kinect. However, in recent years, motion control has taken a backseat in the gaming world. There hasn’t been a dedicated console focused solely on motion control for quite some time.
While there are some motion control games available for the Nintendo Switch and Switch 2, they remain relatively rare. These consoles do not prioritize motion-based gameplay as their main focus. Now, a new player is entering the scene: the Nex Playground, an AI-powered console that uses a fixed camera to track body movements without the need for any controller. The only thing you need is your own body.
The Nex Playground is set to launch in the UK and Ireland in late June. It has already gained momentum in the US, where it briefly outsold the XBOX during Black Friday sales. During a hands-on event in London, Nex executives shared insights about the console’s capabilities. They mentioned that sports and party-style games are already available, and popular titles from the Wii and Kinect are expected to be added soon.
Tom Kang, president and head of international at Nex, said: “There are lots of IPs we are currently working with that we haven’t announced yet. You’ll see more and more games that people may know coming onto our platform, games that were on the Wii or Kinect before.”
David Lee, CEO of Nex, added: “We think about how to build interest, confidence and skill. We want to bring the core of the IP to the platform in authentic ways.”
Both Kang and Lee emphasized that Nex is not looking to compete with traditional consoles but instead aims to provide something different.
“We’re not competing with any of them,” said Kang. “We are a complementary device with different use cases focused on a specific audience in kids and families.”
Because of this, the games designed for the Nex Playground are centered around physical activity, party experiences, and social play. Lee explained: “It’s even more accessible to more members of the family.”
Kang and Lee believe that gaming has become increasingly isolated over time, with people connecting online rather than in person. The Nex Playground offers a chance for people to play together in one room.
“Gaming has become isolating and sedentary and the Nex Playground gets people active and social,” Kang said.
Comparisons to older motion gaming platforms like the Wii and Kinect are inevitable, something Nex bosses acknowledge and embrace given the new audiences those consoles brought into gaming.
A key aspect of the Nex Playground is its focus on online safety and creating a safer digital environment for younger audiences.
“Trust and safety is paramount in everything we do,” said Kang.
The Nex Playground operates within a closed ecosystem, primarily focusing on local multiplayer rather than open online communication. While there are online leaderboards, most games on the console do not include direct online play. Additionally, motion-tracking data remains local to the device itself.
The console’s closed ecosystem is designed to emphasize local multiplayer and family experiences rather than open online communication. Nex also uses simple leaderboards instead of wider online social systems, ensuring that motion-tracking data stays on the device.
Pre-orders for the Nex Playground are now live in the UK and Ireland ahead of its release in late June.
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