[PAX Prime 2012] Sifteo Cubes

[UWCrash]

Looking at Sifteo cubes for the first time at PAX, one of the first descriptions I received was “Magic Dominoes with an App Store”. Each 1.5-inch cube (well, they’re not perfect cubes, but cuboid or hexahedron sound kind of pretentious) has a full-color, single-pane touch surface that can function as a button, and the cubes are spatially aware of each other. Each one also contains a 3-axis accelerometer. This allows each unit to sense tipping, tilting, and even being positioned onto their side. This started at the MIT Media Lab with the idea of a “siftable”, and over the last few years they have been working to bring the product to market.

There are a lot of interactions to be dreamed up when you put these concepts together. One of the basic examples put to use is seen in the Code Cracker game. You begin with a number on each cube with one or more mathematical symbols on the sides. Arranging the cubes in different directions will result in addition, subtraction, multiplication or division, with the goal being to hit a target number using every cube. An example of a more advanced concept would be to have cubes represent different colors. You could then move base colors next to an empty cube and “pour in” (tilt) some of that color. I’d highly recommend watching the TED talk delivered by company co-founder David Merrill (see link at end of article) to see some of the other ideas they’ve implemented.

What really sets Sifteo cubes apart from most video games is the real, physical interaction. Manipulating the cubes can help develop spatial relationships in ways that aren’t possible with a traditional PC or console. Using physical objects also allows everyone at a table to get involved instead of being pinned to a single mouse or controller. The target audience is children and young teens, although the company officially states the product is recommended for ages seven to adult.

The library of games may be short right now (only five official titles), but they’re quickly working to develop new experiences. In addition, the second generation of hardware was also announced just before PAX. With this update, the base station, which contains a speaker and loads the game software, no longer requires a constant connection to a computer to play.

A starter kit for Sifteo cubes runs $130 USD. The set includes the base station, three cubes and five games. There’s also a 6-cube kit for $200, and additional cubes can be purchased at $30 each. The hardware supports up to 12 cubes, but the game being played may limit how many may actually be used. The price may seem steep to some, but keep in mind that the 6-cube kit is currently about the same price as a Nintendo 3DS. Also, while the games may not be as complex they are only $8-10 instead of the $40-plus many console and PC games command. As someone looking to have kids in a few years I’d absolute pick these up as they should be a fantastic learning tool. While I may not be in the target market, I could easily see myself occasionally killing time with Code Cracker and Sandwich Kingdom.

[Ink Asylum]

It's an interesting concept, but I don't see it going anywhere until the price is much lower.

The price may seem steep to some, but keep in mind that the 6-cube kit is currently about the same price as a Nintendo 3DS.

Sure, but the Nintendo 3DS is going to have a lot more games and longevity.

[Lekon]

I saw these at PAX but was never able to get in to play them. The graphics were really clear, even from a distance, and the booth was always busy. Nice write up Ryan.

Also, man I want to try a Roguelike using these cubes.

[Kielaran]

I like the idea of more tangable gaming, especially for kids. I bet these will be more reasonably priced once my little one is old enough to start gaming (as long as they don't disappear).