Razer RealSense 3D Camera/Scanner to Bring Intel Tech to Gaming

Gaming, software, hardware, and 3D technology come together as a tightly knit enclave for specialized applications of high-tech know-how–namely, here, in the spirit of not just creation, but fun. Those involved in the gaming world devote hours of focus to ensure that the worlds they create and participate in are as full and real as possible, ensnaring attention and enrapturing the mind. To create such complex worlds requires a spirit of ongoing ingenuity and engaging creativity.

A newly announced collaboration is bound to capture the attention of gamers everywhere, as Razer and Intel come together to work toward a virtual reality-enabled device based on Intel RealSense tech that will offer some next-level capabilities to the virtual world.

“This is a great opportunity to make Intel RealSense technology easily accessible to the gaming and VR communities,” said Dr. Achin Bhowmik, VP and General Manager of Intel’s Perceptual Computing Group. “We are proud of the beautiful design of Razer’s Intel RealSense Camera peripheral and we look forward to enabling innovation in the gaming world together.”

Photo: Min-Liang Tan, Twitter

This week in San Francisco, the device is on show at the Intel Developer Forum 2015, showcasing and introducing the device to developers. Not attending? You can follow Razer’s Twitter account as they, led by CEO and co-founder Min-Liang Tan, keep up to date with the goings-on at their booth.

While not a lot has been announced yet, detail-wise–like the device’s name, price, final look, or definitive release date–Razer’s latest desktop camera, running Intel RealSense technology, will hit the market during the first quarter of 2016.

What we do know, though, is that the Razer RealSense camera is intended to be placed on top of a monitor, where it can sense depth, isolate the actions of a player, remove the background without necessitating a green screen, and purportedly allow for an overall improved gesture-based game play experience. The camera will be able to track movement from a player either sitting in front of the monitor or in conjunction with a VR headset.

At a glance, sure, the device looks like either a Kinect device or a repackaging of a RealSense camera from Intel, but it seems hopeful that the device will expand beyond existing hardware. A press release from Razer promises that “users can expect to enjoy significantly enhanced game broadcasting and VR gaming capabilities.”

Development is continuing on this device, though so far Razer is remaining at least a bit hush-hush about just what they want to come of it. They say that their technology will include “novel features” and also highlight the 3D scanning capabilities, in addition to gesture recognition and head tracking, of the camera.

A demonstration at IDF included the example of a racing game that, by tracking the player’s head, could improve the driving experience by moving the in-play character as the player faced.

“Razer is excited to be working with Intel, using Intel RealSense technology to help pioneer work for game broadcasting, as well as with VR, with support from the growing OSVR movement,” said Razer’s Tan, drawing on the appeal of open source virtual reality.  “Gamers will, we expect, be able to enhance their broadcasting and VR experience in unprecedented ways.”

Will you be keeping an eye out for this new device? What do you think it might offer beyond those already on the market? Join the conversation in the Intel RealSense Razer Camera forum thread over at 3DPB.com.