Indie-Go Time: Tobii Makes Special Eye-Tracking Offer for Independent Game Developers
SAN FRANCISCO, March 17, 2014—Tobii Technology, the global leader in eye tracking, is presenting a special package around featured titles for independent game developers, that will help them bring games with eye tracking to market in 2014. Featured games will get unique support and promotion and will be made available for the world’s first mass-market consumer eye tracker that SteelSeries will launch later this year. Developers can meet with Tobii at the Game Developers Conference this week to get involved.
“The gaming industry is often at the forefront of innovative new technology that entertains consumers in incredible new ways. By harnessing the joint powers of creativity and technology, developers can now create truly remarkable and completely new experiences for their games with eye tracking,” said Oscar Werner, vice president of Tobii’s OEM Solutions division. “There is unlimited potential for indie game developers and we’re determined to provide great opportunities to help developers move from experimenting to launching real games in the market. Developers who create the first eye-tracking games will be recognized as pioneers in what many expect will be one of the next biggest advancements in gaming and computer evolution the coming years.”
Game categories for first eye-tracking titles
Tobii welcomes all developers to participate in this opportunity to make games that can be featured titles in one of the five categories below:
- Role-playing games
- Casual mini-games
- Horror games
- Adventure games
- Sports games
From development support to access to installed market
To get involved, developers can simply complete the online form at www.tobii.com/gaming. Each developer will have an opportunity to discuss ideas with a dedicated Tobii representative and determine a unique framework for resources, support and promotion methods. The feature title pack includes:
- Free Tobii EyeX controllers to conduct beta tests on the software
- Joint go-to-market plan with marketing support from Tobii, including public relations, social media, online advertising and industry events
- Game promotion targeting gamers who buy SteelSeries consumer eye tracker
- Distribution through Tobii’s application marketplace and other online stores
- Access to the Tobii Dev Zone, an online developer forum, through which developers share advice, insights, best practices and the most up-to-date information in the world related to Tobii eye-tracking solutions
Indie developers getting started
As an example, Tobii is working with independent developers stillalive studios to help them become one of the first in the world with expertise creating new gaming adventures using eye tracking. Using Tobii’s eye-tracking technology, stillalive studios is developing a game called Son of Nor, an action adventure game in which eye tracking is being used to give the player terraforming and telekinesis powers. Check out the game at http://youtu.be/OxxDjW0cS-Y.
“Eye tracking has fascinated us for a long time, so when we discovered that Tobii was offering an opportunity for developers to make it a reality for everyone, we had to be a part of it,” said Julian Mautner, founder and lead programmer at stillalive studios. “The integration feels really natural to the player — it doesn’t change how the game would be played without eye tracking — just makes it much more immersive and intuitive. It is amazing to control telekinetic abilities with your eyes and have them behave exactly as you intend them to.”
Learn more at GDC 2014
Tobii will be at booth #1824 at GDC 2014 March 19-21, with SteelSeries, the leader in premier gaming peripherals and accessories. Visit the booth to talk to a Tobii representative about the opportunities for game developers. The booth will also showcase a preview of stillalive studios’ Son of Nor game.
Tobii is also offering its EyeX Dev Kit at a GDC special price of $95 on www.tobii.com/buy-eyex.
10 ways to get inspired
See the video “10 Ways to Use Eye Tracking in Games” that gives developers and others ideas for eye-tracking experiences in games.
Media contacts
Tobii corporate contact:
Sara Hyléen, Marketing Director, Tobii Technology; phone: +46 709 161 641; email: sara.hyleen (@) tobii.com
For Tobii in the U.S.:
Kristina Messner, Senior Vice President of Public Relations, Focused Image; phone: +1-703-678-6023; email: kmessner (@) focusedimage.com
About Tobii Technology
Tobii Technology is the global leader in eye tracking and has accelerated the development of eye tracking in personal computing, transformed research in many fields and enabled communication for thousands of people with special needs. The company develops and delivers comprehensive eye tracking solutions as well as OEM eye tracking components for applications such as computers, gaming and vehicles. Founded in 2001, Tobii continues to achieve rapid annual growth and receive awards and recognition for its accomplishments. Based in Sweden, Tobii has a global presence, with offices in the U.S., China, Germany, Japan and Norway, as well as a worldwide network of resellers and partners. For more information, visit www.tobii.com.
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