Sony Announces EyePet, SingStar Vol. 2

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe announced EyePet, a PS3 virtual pet title utilizing the PlayStation Eye camera, at its Leipzig Games Convention press conference yesterday. The company also revealed that SingStar Volume 2 will come to the U.S. in October 2008. Developed by SCEE and due late 2009, EyePet presents a simian-like creature that interacts with people and objects captured by the PlayStation Eye camera. The customizable pet examines and responds to on-screen items and movements, such as a rolling ball or waving fingers, with appropriate facial reactions and behaviors. The company also announced that both its Singstar titles for the PlayStation 3, including upcoming release SingStar Volume 2, will support a disc swap feature allowing users to play songs from PS2 Singstar games. The feature was included with previous PS2 and PS3 Singstar releases, but was limited to importing songs from games on the same system and not across systems. Though users can play songs from SingStar discs, they will not be able to save the tracks to their hard drives. Sony will release the feature as a free game update later this year. In addition, SCEE revealed that its newly revealed limited-edition Uncharted: Drake's Fortune 160 GB PS3 bundle, along with additional PlayStation Network content, will appear in PAL territories on October 31st for €449 (approximately $665). The company went on to reveal a new music video streaming service powered by European company VidZone. The service will appear on the XrossMediaBar and allow users to stream videos on the PS3 free of charge or download them to a mobile phone for a fee. Sony ended its press conference with a presentation for Quantic Dream's "interactive thriller" Heavy Rain. Described as a "pillar title" for SCEE, the PS3-exclusive title is scheduled for release in late 2009.