Interactive Gaming: Wii-Like Game System Works With LCD TVs For Advertising

Last week at Consumer Electronics Association (CES) Reactrix Systems launched a Wii like gaming system for interactive advertising. My first gut reaction after seeing the press release was that this would be great for advergames.

The Reactrix technology is called WaveScape, and it was demonstrated on Samsung’s large-format 570DX display at the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas last week. Above the display was a sensor that kept track of a person’s hand and body movements so they could interact with an on-screen game. The sensor can cover five meters.

This sounds an awful lot like the Wii. The only difference is that they are going after the corporate market, for now.

Despite the technology’s almost universal appeal, Reactrix has no plans to launch a version for consumers.

“We wish we did, because we want to get this to as many people as possible, but rest assured we will get there.

“Our first application is going to be advertising and interactive signage,” said Matt Bell, who is chief scientist at Reactrix and developed the system. “Our first roll-out of these displays will be in the second half of this year in 150 Hilton hotels. They’ll be a mixture of fun, interactive games and information about hotel services.”

I think the system is a great idea and pretty smart to go after the corporate market. The only problem is that they have keep the costs of the system down otherwise the corporate market will just go out and buy a Nintendo Wii. It has more brand appeal and everyone knows what a Nintendo Wii is after being the hottest sought after toy this holidays season for a second year in a row. Having worked with Coca-Cola, The Amazing Race and Hilton hotels, we should start seeing a lot of these around town.