Swinxs is a portable game console for children between the ages of 4 and 12 years.[1] The screen-freeconsole was marketed as suitable for in-and-outdoor play and usedRFID technology, audio, and light as a replacement for a monitor. Games for the console typically have users engage in physical or educational play by using a synthesized voice in combination with other sounds and a light.
The console was designed byKhodi Feiz of Feiz Design before October 2, 2008.[2] The system was developed by Dutch companySwinxs BV.[3]
Swinxs was first introduced in 2008,[4] starting in the Netherlands that spring.[citation needed] On October 2, 2008, the Swinxs launched in theUnited Kingdom.[2] In the fourth quarter of 2008 Swinxs was also available in Spain, Portugal, and Italy.The Middle East andSouth America followed in early 2009. In August 2009 Swinxs was made available in the United States.[citation needed]
The system cost $150 US Dollars in 2009.[1] In December 2010 the system cost 3,000pesos in Mexico.[5] The system was sold with 4 wristbands included.[6]
The system and associated online services were discontinued in 2020.[3]
Swinxs works via either atangible user interface or a simplenatural user interface. Because the system lacks a screen, output consists nearly exclusively of a simple light and speaker.[1][4] The input is generated by three buttons (white, green, red), the RFID-reader, an accelerometer, a microphone and aUSB port. The system supports between 1 and 10 players.[4]
A USB port on the system makes it possible to connect to aPC orMacintosh. The USB port allowed new content to be downloaded and permits scores to be uploaded.[7][8] The USB port is also used to recharge the internal battery,[9][4] which when fully charged could run for approximately four hours.[10]
TheSoftware Development Kit (SDK) was made available to the general developer population[5] and did not cost money to use, making it possible for users to create Swinxs games.[7] The SDK and the gamesource codes could be downloaded from the Swinxs' website. In order to program and test new games the SDK is equipped with anemulator.[citation needed]
The games are written in the Swinxs Talk programming language, originating from the field ofIndustrial robots (programmable Logic controllers) and is based on the concept offinite-state machines.
The wristbands, known as XS tags, are equipped with RFID chips that communicate with the Swinxs console.[2] The wristbands are used as a controller for the Swinxs.[11] Other objects could also have RFID chips embedded in them to act as game controllers, such as afrisbee.[12]
There are over 25 games[13] ranging from active games like relay and duel to quizzes and ‘educational’ games. In October 2008, Swinxs launchedcard games. By linking Swinxs to a computer using a USB cable it is possible to upload gamescores to apersonal homepage on the Swinxs website. This website is also used for downloading new games until the service was discontinued.
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