History of video games/Platforms/Picoo
History
edit
The company behind Picoo was founded on April 2016 in the city of Eindhoven, within the Netherlands.[1]
Launch
editThe system debuted at the January 2022 Consumer Electronics Show.[1][2]
The system was available for sale by January 5, 2022.[3] A 4 controller, 5 game "Starter Set" cost $250, with more expensive sets for schools also being made avalible.[4]
Technology
editThe system was contained in the controllers, which communicated with other controllers for games and a parental smartphone for updates.[4][3] The system is noted for it's visual similarity to PlayStation Move controllers.[4]
Compute
editThe controllers sported both a processor and chip based storage.[1]
Hardware
editControllers have NFC readers, which are used to load games from cards.[3] The controllers also housed an accelorometer.[1] Unusually, the only button on the system is the power button.[2]
The controllers supported output via LED lights, speaker, and by vibration motor for buzzing/haptic feedback.[3][1]
The battery life and charge time of the controllers were both about 4 hours.[4] The system is charged via a USB cable.[1]
The controllers were designed to be durable, featured a wriststrap, were "splashproof". The system measured 14.7cm by 5cm by 5cm and weighed 146 grams.[1]
Games
editNotes
editDespite claims of being the "Worlds first outdoor game console for children",[1] it was predated by the Swinxs. Though the Swinxs was a screenless outdoor console with similar goals that was also developed in the Netherlands, it had a much different user interface then the Picoo, relying on a base station and RFID wristbands rather then powered controllers.
The oo in the Picoo logo were stylized to look like a rainbow infinity symbol (∞).[1]
References
edit- ↑ a b c d e f g h i j "Game On! Picoo, The World’s First Outdoor Game Console For Kids to Debut at CES 2022". PRWeb. https://www.prweb.com/releases/game_on_picoo_the_worlds_first_outdoor_game_console_for_kids_to_debut_at_ces_2022/prweb18419478.htm.
- ↑ a b Weatherbed, Jess (7 January 2022). "This Picoo digital gaming wand drags kids away from screens and back outdoors" (in en). TechRadar. https://www.techradar.com/news/picoo-digital-gaming-wand-drags-kids-away-from-screens-and-back-oudoors.
- ↑ a b c d e Kaser, Rachel (5 January 2022). "Picoo is a handheld console designed for kids to use in outdoor games". VentureBeat. https://venturebeat.com/2022/01/05/picoo-is-a-handheld-console-designed-for-kids-to-use-in-outdoor-games/.
- ↑ a b c d Colantonio, Giovanni (5 January 2022). "Picoo is a Screenless Gaming Console Built for Kids" (in en). Digital Trends. https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/picoo-ces-2022/.