The big Toy Fair opens it doors at the Jacob Javits Center next week, which means toy makers are previewing products they hope will be big sellers later this year. Hasbro just revealed its new Battleship and Monopoly LIVE games, which include a tower that, according to a press release, "reminds players about the rules, tracks the game, keeps score and adds unexpected twists to game play."
The examples Hasbro gives are "in BATTLESHIP LIVE a typhoon could suddenly cause damage to ships or an air attack could undermine the mission" or "In MONOPOLY LIVE, a sought after property could suddenly be up for auction or players could be invited to send the cab around the game board to earn cash when landing on Free Parking." There's an infrared camera in the tower to keep track of pieces and game play, too, and the Battleship version offers a "voice of a naval commander provides direction as the Motion Vision Play technology in the LIVE tower detects all ship, cannon and hand movements during the game. Firing at targets comes alive with the sound of missiles flying through the air and water splashing as ships are correctly targeted and sunk. Surprise elements such as a typhoon or spy plane may interrupt and change the course of game play at any time."
It's unclear if this technology will change James Cameron's mind about the upcoming Battleship movie, scheduled for release in 2012.
