EyeToy: AntiGrav

EyeToy: AntiGrav is a hoverboard game by Harmonix, released in November 2004 for the PlayStation 2. It was touted as the first "real" game for EyeToy targeted to more seasoned gamers. The earlier games such as Play and Groove were geared towards younger players for family or party fun. Unlike the earlier EyeToy games, the player's image is not shown inside the Antigrav game. Instead, the player's movement is reflected in the animated character in the game. The player moves their body to guide the on-screen character through a track. Some obstacles require the player to crouch or jump. Up to 4 players are supported. The game was released in the U.S. in November 2004, and in PAL in March 2005.

EyeToy: Antigrav
Developer(s)Harmonix
Publisher(s)Sony Computer Entertainment
Designer(s)Greg LoPiccolo, Rob Kay, Chris Canfield, Benjamin Schneider, Jason Warburg, A. J. Wolosenko
SeriesEyeToy
Platform(s)PlayStation 2
Release
  • NA: November 9, 2004
  • PAL: March 24, 2005
Genre(s)Extreme Sports
Mode(s)Single player

Gameplay
Gameplay of EyeToy: AntiGrav's Speed mode

In EyeToy: AntiGrav the player controls a Hoverboard racer. There are two modes: Style and Speed. Speed mode is a standard race in which the player must reach the finish line and compete with other computer-controlled racers. In Style mode, the objective is to get the highest score possible by performing tricks, grinding on rails, and hitting targets by reaching over to them.[1] There are a total of 5 tracks:

Development and release

EyeToy: AntiGrav was developed by Harmonix. The game was inspired by modern snowboard and skateboard culture. One of the tasks that Harmonix focused on was how much physical effort was required to control the character. Harmonix decided to make the tricks use simple gestures that players can easily do. A high effort was put into the music and sound effects.[1] Originally the game was designed to use the EyeToy accessory and gloves of bright green and orange to help the EyeToy read the motion of the player's hand, however, the gloves were no longer required for the final design.[2][3]

The soundtrack was performed by Apollo 440. The audio changes according to what the player is doing in the game. For example, when a player is flying, the music will change to a slower, more relaxed version of the song. When the game was released in the U.S. in November 2004, it was bundled with the EyeToy. The PAL release in March 2005 was available as a standalone game as well as the aforementioned bundle.

Reception

The game received average reviews on the review aggregation website Metacritic.[4] Prior to release, IGN awarded the game Most Innovative Design in their 2004 E3 press conference.[17]

The New York Times gave it a favorable review, calling it "the closest thing yet to a game that allows the player to merge physically with the video console. At times the experience is uncanny."[18] The Times also gave it four stars out of five, saying, "The potential is vast, and if this game does not quite make the most of it, it points the way."[16] However, The Sydney Morning Herald gave it three-and-a-half stars out of five, saying that it "feels uncanny and exhilarating performing high-speed leaps."[19] Detroit Free Press gave it two stars out of four, calling it "an intriguing look at the future, but it's not quite ready for today."[15]

References
  1. Behind the Scenes: EyeToy - Antigrav (Motion picture). VGArchive. Retrieved July 31, 2009.
  2. "E3 2004: EyeToy: AntiGrav - Hands-Off". IGN. May 12, 2004. Archived from the original on August 1, 2019. Retrieved July 31, 2019.
  3. "EyeToy: Antigrav Hands-On". IGN. September 13, 2004. Archived from the original on August 1, 2019. Retrieved July 31, 2019.
  4. "EyeToy: AntiGrav for PlayStation 2 Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on December 3, 2016. Retrieved September 25, 2016.
  5. Edge staff (January 2005). "EyeToy: AntiGrav". Edge. No. 145. Future plc. p. 86.
  6. EGM staff (December 25, 2004). "EyeToy: AntiGrav". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 186. Ziff Davis.
  7. Gibson, Ellie (April 21, 2005). "EyeToy: AntiGrav". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on January 19, 2017. Retrieved September 25, 2016.
  8. "EyeToy: AntiGrav". Game Informer. No. 140. GameStop. December 2004. p. 177.
  9. Davis, Ryan (November 8, 2004). "EyeToy: AntiGrav Review". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on May 21, 2019. Retrieved September 25, 2016.
  10. Watkins, Rob (November 21, 2004). "EyeToy: AntiGrav - PS2 - Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on December 30, 2008. Retrieved September 25, 2016.
  11. Lewis, Ed (November 8, 2004). "EyeToy: AntiGrav". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on October 18, 2016. Retrieved September 25, 2016.
  12. "EyeToy: Antigrav [sic]". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine. Ziff Davis. December 2004. p. 118. Archived from the original on June 4, 2016. Retrieved September 25, 2016.
  13. "Review: EyeToy: AntiGrav". PSM. Future US. December 25, 2004. p. 86.
  14. Marriott, Scott Alan (November 3, 2004). "EyeToy: AntiGrav Review". X-Play. G4techTV. Archived from the original on November 4, 2004. Retrieved September 25, 2016.
  15. Schaefer, Jim (January 9, 2005). "HOVERING AT THE EDGE". Detroit Free Press. Gannett Company. Archived from the original on October 18, 2016. Retrieved September 25, 2016.
  16. Wells, Dominic (April 2, 2005). "EyeToy: Antigrav [sic]". The Times. News UK. Archived from the original on July 31, 2019. Retrieved July 31, 2019.(subscription required)
  17. "PlayStation 2 Best of E3 2004 Awards". IGN. May 21, 2004. Archived from the original on August 1, 2019. Retrieved July 31, 2019.
  18. Herold, Charles (December 9, 2004). "New Breed of Games Is Not All Thumbs". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. Archived from the original on February 21, 2019. Retrieved September 25, 2016.
  19. Hill, Jason (March 24, 2005). "Good plot". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. Archived from the original on February 27, 2017. Retrieved September 25, 2016.
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