Motion gaming has had a fascinating journey through the years, starting with the EyeToy, reaching its peak with the Nintendo Wii, and later expanding to new audiences with the XBOX Kinect. Since then, it has taken a backseat in the gaming world. For quite some time, there hasn't been a dedicated motion control console on the market.
Although there are some motion control games available for the Nintendo Switch and Switch 2, they are not the main focus of these consoles. This is where the Nex Playground comes into play—a brand new console powered by AI, featuring a fixed camera that tracks body movements without requiring any controller other than the player's own body.
The console will be launching in the UK and Ireland in late June. It has already gained significant momentum in the US, where it briefly outsold the XBOX during Black Friday sales. During a hands-on event in London, Nex executives shared insights about the console's capabilities. They mentioned that sports and party-style games are already available, and some fan favourites from the Wii and Kinect are set to arrive soon.
Tom Kang, president and head of international at Nex, stated: "There are lots of IPs we are currently working with that we haven't announced yet. You'll see more and more games that people may know coming onto our platform, games that were on the Wii or Kinect before."
When discussing upcoming games, David Lee, CEO of Nex, added: "We think about how to build interest, confidence and skill. We want to bring the core of the IP to the platform in authentic ways."
Both Kang and Lee emphasized that their goal is not to compete with traditional consoles but to offer something entirely different. Kang explained, "We're not competing with any of them. We are a complementary device with different use cases focused on a specific audience in kids and families."
Because of this, the games designed for the Nex Playground are centered around physical activity, party experiences, and social play. Lee noted, "It's even more accessible to more members of the family."
They believe that gaming has become increasingly isolated over time, as people connect online rather than in person. The Nex Playground aims to change that by offering an opportunity for people to play together in one room. Kang said, "Gaming has become isolating and sedentary, and the Nex Playground gets people active and social."
Comparisons to older motion gaming platforms like the Wii and Kinect are inevitable, and Nex bosses acknowledge this. However, they are embracing these comparisons given the new audiences these consoles brought into gaming.
A key aspect of the Nex Playground is its focus on online safety and creating a safer digital environment for younger users. Kang stated, "Trust and safety is paramount in everything we do."
The Nex Playground operates within a closed ecosystem that primarily focuses on local multiplayer rather than open online communication. While there are online leaderboards, most games on the console do not include direct online play. Additionally, motion tracking data remains local to the device itself.
Nex Playground pre-orders are now live in the UK and Ireland ahead of the console's release in late June.
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