PS3 'EyeToy' due this summer in Europe

Sony has revealed the PlayStation Eye peripheral is due for release in Europe this summer.

The PlayStation Eye is the next-generation version of the the popular EyeToy camera, and features a range of improvements including microphone, two lens positions and a faster frame rate for smoother image capturing.

As well as enabling users to capture photos and video footage the package will also include EyeCreate editing software.

"PlayStation Eye is a great example of how we have moved forward so significantly with our technology," commented David Reeves, president of SCEE.

"PlayStation Eye has four times the resolution, twice the framerate and double the sensitivity of its predecessor EyeToy."

"With the technology that we now have at our disposal we will be able to dramatically improve the communications experience enjoyed on the PS3," he added.

Meanwhile, Sony Japan has revealed that camera-based PlayStation 3 title Eye of Judgement will be released worldwide in the autumn.

An announcement on the company's Japanese website reveals that the game bundle will include the PlayStation Eye camera, a camera stand, game mat and starter deck.

Eye of Judgement is a virtual card game, where the camera registers a card held under it and makes its contents appear on screen.

In the demo version at E3 last year, the user was able to hold a card in his hand and have a monster spawn on it on-screen.