Reality
Fusion was founded in 1997, with the intention of developing and bringing to
market the breakthrough technology known today as the Reality Fusion engine.
Reality Fusion GameCam (tm) is the first ever computer product that lets you
directly interact with computer-animated environments, objects, and even people.
Thanks to the patent-pending Reality Fusion (tm) technology, no special gloves
or goggles are necessary to play the six-pack of games that are included. In
August, this action video package won PC Magazine’s, Golden Gavel Award.
Setup
Install the software using the enclosed Reality Fusion CD; you will need
the Windows 98 CD to complete the installation. Install the Logitech USB Home Cam when
asked to do so by the setup routine. Once the camera is recognized the
installation is complete and you're ready to play.
In the Box
• Game Cam CD
• Logitech Home Cam, USB video
camera with built in microphone
• 2 self-adhesive mounting bases
• 1 swivel attachment
• Manual
How to play
Clicking on the Realty Fusion GameCam icon starts interactive
game play. The camera turns itself on, (be sure to raise the shutter from the
lens), and multiple images of the camera view are displayed on the screen as the
camera calibrates itself. A program screen appears, the mouse cursor changes
into a cow with a wagging tail and the background music plays. The screen
choices are Karate, B-Ball, V-Ball, Be There, Jumpin Video and More. The first
five choices are the interactive games that each heading suggests. Choosing More
opens an additional screen of choices; Snapshot, Internet, Options and Escape.
Options allows the user to adjust the Video, Music and Audio Prompts. Internet
takes you to the Reality Fusion GameCam Web Site and Snapshot is a picture
taker.
Choose a game and start, if necessary the camera will take a snapshot of you to
use in the game and then you can start to play. Moving your hands, arms, legs
and head, (depending on the game), while in the camera's view, allows the player
or players to interact with the computer-generated program.
The Games
Basketball - Play one-on-one B-Ball in a
stadium environment or shoot against the clock. Your arm and hand motion causes
the animated basketball to bounce until you drop it through the hoop for TWO.
Horse - The old school yard, multiplayer, basketball game. Match shots
with your opponent. Miss your shot and get a letter. The first one to spell
HORSE is out.
Karate - Bruce Lee want-to-be's can
practice to their heart's content sparring with an opponent who uses
true-to-life karate moves. Kick, jab punch and duck until you take this clown
out. The player can choose opponents, or even paste a photo onto the animated
one.
VBall - Volleyball on the beach, pits you against an animated opponent
for a virtual endless summer of fun. A special mode allows you to record anyone
in motion and use that person as your opponent.
JumpIn Video - Lets you create your own
70's style kaleidoscope video that gyrates to the beat of your favorite music
CD. Look closely; the pattern in the screen capture is created from a screen
shot of a young mother and her baby. You'll need to disable the auto insert
function of your CD player to get this program to work correctly.
Be There - Put yourself in the picture, posing in remote and exotic
locations or superimpose your face on a variety of other amusing bodies.
Downloadable movie clips are available at: http://www.realityfusion.com/gamecam/movies.html
Conclusion
The Logitech QuickCam Home was dark and
grainy in low light levels. Although, I was somewhat disappointed by the
camera's performance, I was NOT surprised. Only the best home video cameras
perform well in low light levels and this is NOT one of them. Adequate lighting
produces an acceptable video.
The Reality GameCam software is the interactive
gaming equivalent of PONG, (the very first computer ping-pong game). That said,
my family and I spent a weekend enjoying the included games. We had a lot of
fun. Be careful in games like Karate; my son broke my desk lamp while dodging an
animated leg sweep.
This is the only computer game package I know of
that will leave you physically exhausted when you're done playing.
If you ever get tired of the games, you'll still have the camera to use for other
activities, making the Reality Fusion GameCam package a pretty good deal.
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