View source for Swinxs

[[File:Swinxs Console.png|thumb]]
'''Swinxs''' is a portable game console for children between the ages of 4 and 12 years.<ref name="NPC Swinxs" /> The screen-free [[Video game console|console]] was marketed as suitable for in-and-outdoor play and used [[Radio-frequency identification|RFID]] 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.
== History ==
The console was designed by [[Khodi Feiz]] of Feiz Design before October 2, 2008.<ref name="Design Week">{{cite news |title=Wearable games console launches |url=https://www.designweek.co.uk/issues/2-october-2008/wearable-games-console-launches/ |access-date=21 May 2022 |work=Design Week |date=2 October 2008 |language=en-UK}}</ref> The system was developed by Dutch company ''Swinxs BV''.<ref name=":0" />
Swinxs was first introduced in 2008,<ref name="Fitness Swinxs"/> starting in the Netherlands that spring.{{Citation needed|date=May 2022}} On October 2, 2008, the Swinxs launched in the [[United Kingdom]].<ref name="Design Week"/> In the fourth quarter of 2008 Swinxs was also available in Spain, Portugal, and Italy. [[Middle East|The Middle East]] and [[South America]] followed in early 2009. In August 2009 Swinxs was made available in the United States.{{Citation needed|date=May 2022}}
The system cost $150 US Dollars in 2009.<ref name="NPC Swinxs"/> In December 2010 the system cost 3,000 [[Mexican peso|pesos]] in Mexico.<ref name="Techtoys"/> The system was sold with 4 wristbands included.<ref name="PCAward">{{cite web |title=Swinxs |url=http://www.parents-choice.org/product.cfm?product_id=26891&StepNum=1&award=aw |website=Parents' Choice Awards |access-date=21 May 2022 |date=28 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120728074748/http://www.parents-choice.org/product.cfm?product_id=26891&StepNum=1&award=aw |archive-date=28 July 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
The system and associated online services were discontinued in 2020.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |title=Swinxs {{!}} Peercode |url=https://www.peercode.nl/nl/welkom/projecten/swinxs/ |website=www.peercode.nl |access-date=21 May 2022}}</ref>
== Console Features ==
Swinxs works via either a [[tangible user interface]] or a simple [[natural user interface]]. Because the system lacks a screen, output consists nearly exclusively of a simple light and speaker.<ref name="NPC Swinxs"/><ref name="Fitness Swinxs"/> The input is generated by three buttons (white, green, red), the RFID-reader, an accelerometer, a microphone and a [[Universal Serial Bus|USB port]]. The system supports between 1 and 10 players.<ref name="Fitness Swinxs"/>
A USB port on the system makes it possible to connect to a [[Personal computer|PC]] or [[Macintosh]]. The USB port allowed new content to be downloaded and permits scores to be uploaded.<ref name="EN Swinxs"/><ref name="NA Swinxs">{{cite news |last1=Garvey |first1=Jude |title=Swinxs: a toy for active play |url=https://newatlas.com/new-swinxs-toy-encourages-active-play/9337/ |access-date=21 May 2022 |work=New Atlas |date=22 May 2008}}</ref> The USB port is also used to recharge the internal battery,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wilson |first1=Caroline |title=Review : Swinxs - a Wii without the TV |url=https://www.gadgetspeak.com/gadget/article.rhtm/751/551213/Swinxs_-_a_Wii_without_the_TV.html |access-date=21 May 2022 |work=www.gadgetspeak.com |date=October 2, 2008}}</ref><ref name="Fitness Swinxs"/> which when fully charged could run for approximately four hours.<ref>{{cite news |title=Swinxs by Swinxs BV {{!}} Creative Child |url=https://www.creativechild.com/products/view/swinxs |access-date=21 May 2022 |work=www.creativechild.com}}</ref>
=== SDK ===
The [[Software development kit|Software Development Kit]] (SDK) was made available to the general developer population<ref name="Techtoys">{{cite news |last1=Marino |first1=Felipe |title=Techtoys |work=[[Reforma (newspaper)|Reforma]] |date=December 6, 2010 |location=Mexico City |language=Spanish}}</ref> and did not cost money to use, making it possible for users to create Swinxs games.<ref name="EN Swinxs">{{cite news |last1=Miller |first1=P. |title=Swinxs lures your children outside, tricks them into "moving around" |url=https://www.engadget.com/2008-02-18-swinxs-lures-your-children-outside-tricks-them-into-moving-aro.html |access-date=21 May 2022 |work=Engadget |date=February 19, 2008}}</ref> The SDK and the game [[source code]]s could be downloaded from the Swinxs' website. In order to program and test new games the SDK is equipped with an [[emulator]].{{Citation needed|date=May 2022}}
The games are written in the Swinxs Talk programming language, originating from the field of [[Industrial robot]]s ([[programmable Logic controller]]s) and is based on the concept of [[Finite state machine|finite State Machines]].
=== Wristbands ===
The wristbands, known as XS tags, are equipped with RFID chips that communicate with the Swinxs console.<ref name="Design Week"/> The wristbands are used as a controller for the Swinxs.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Aguayo |first1=Olivia |title=También los juguetes evolucionan |work=[[Reforma (newspaper)|Reforma]] |date=February 23, 2009 |location=Mexico City |language=Spanish}}</ref> Other objects could also have RFID chips embedded in them to act as game controllers, such as a [[frisbee]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Jansen |first1=Martijn |last2=Bekker |first2=Tilde |chapter=Swinxsbee: A Shared Interactive Play Object to Stimulate Children's Social Play Behaviour and Physical Exercise |date=2009 |title=Intelligent Technologies for Interactive Entertainment |chapter-url=https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-642-02315-6_9 |series=Lecture Notes of the Institute for Computer Sciences, Social Informatics and Telecommunications Engineering |volume=9 |pages=90–101 |doi=10.1007/978-3-642-02315-6_9 |isbn=978-3-642-02314-9 |access-date=21 May 2022}}</ref>
== Games ==
There are over 25 games<ref>{{cite news |title=Swinxs now shipping, kids everywhere told what to do by strange man in a box |url=https://techcrunch.com/2009/08/28/swinxs-now-shipping-kids-everywhere-told-what-to-do-by-strange-man-in-a-box/ |access-date=21 May 2022 |work=TechCrunch}}</ref> ranging from active games like relay and duel to quizzes and ‘educational’ games. In October 2008, Swinxs launched [[card game]]s. By linking Swinxs to a computer using a USB cable it is possible to upload gamescores to a [[personal homepage]] on the Swinxs website. This website is also used for downloading new games until the service was discontinued.
== Awards ==
{{More citations needed|section|date=January 2022}}
*In November 2008 Swinxs won the third prize at the ''European Innovation Game Award''.
*In June 2009 Swinxs won ''Game of the Year Award 2009''. This award will be presented by the 'Creative Child Magazine’
*In Fall 2009 Swinxs won a ''Parents' Choice'' award.<ref name="PCAward"/>
*In August 2009{{Citation needed|date=May 2022}} Swinxs won the ''National Parenting Publications Award''.<ref name="Fitness Swinxs">{{cite news |title=Active Play with Swinxs |url=https://fitnessgaming.com/news/events-and-fun/active-play-with-swinxs.html |access-date=21 May 2022 |work=Fitness Gaming |date=10 March 2014 |language=en}}</ref>
*Also, in August 2009 just before their USA launch Swinxs was awarded the ''Seal of Approval'' by the ''National Parenting Center''.<ref name="NPC Swinxs">{{cite web |title=Swinxs – The National Parenting Center |date=17 January 2022 |url=https://nationalparentingcenter.com/swinxs/ |access-date=21 May 2022}}</ref>
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
<!--
*[http://www.concrave.com/content/0084-depth-look-swinxs-2009-game-year ConCrave review of Swinxs]
Retrieved on 2009-10-28.
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Wf5IFZUJE4 Tech.TV review of Swinxs]
Retrieved on 2009-10-28
*[http://www.momadvice.com/reviews/index.php/2009/11/02/review-swinxs-game-console/ Review by Mom Advice]
Retrieved on 2009-11-01.
-->
== External links ==
* [http://www.swinxs.com Homepage Swinxs]
* [http://developers.swinxs.com Developers site]
* {{Patent|WO|2009067001A1}} - Swinxs patent
{{Video game consoles|Generation=Other}}
{{Home video game consoles}}
[[Category:Home video game consoles]]
[[Category:Discontinued video game consoles]]
[[Category:Seventh-generation video game consoles]]
[[Category:Educational hardware]]
[[Category:Products introduced in 2008]]
[[Category:2000s toys]]
[[Category:2010s toys]]
[[Category:Video gaming in the Netherlands]]