My big reservation about The Eye of Judgment is that it requires a table to play it. That or you're not going to be really comfortable playing the game because it requires the PS3's Eye camera, a 9-field battle mat and a stand to mount the camera about the mat so it can capture the action underneath it.

The Eye of Judgment strikes me as one of those games that are more cool than practical. But if you can get around the issue of the accessories needed to play, the game looks really cool. The graphics have been amped up since last I saw them and the game features some pretty cool effects.

For those of you new to this game, The Eye of Judgment blends a real-world trading card game with the ability to broadcast the cards and special 3D effects onto a television. So when you place down a creature card that creature actually pops up in 3D on top of the card and when it attacks another player's creature, you actually see that attack. It's amazing to watch.

The Eye of Judgment is going to be sold with the Eye camera, the mount, the battle mat, a starter deck of 30 cards, and a booster pack of 8 cards. The game will launch with a total of 110 cards that you can try to collect by purchasing booster packs as with most card trading games.

This is one of those games that I really have to reserve judgement on, mostly because a lot will be riding on just how much of a pain in the ass it will be to set-up, break-down and store. If all of that is relatively easy, and there's a plenty long cord for the Eye, it's got a chance. Brian Crecente

THE EYE OF JUDGMENT
FACT SHEET

Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios, JAPAN Studio
Developer: Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios, JAPAN Studio
Platform: PLAYSTATION 3 system
Genre: Trading Card/Battle
Players: Single-Player, two-player offline, two-player online
Launch Date: Fall 2007
Rating: "RP" for "Rating Pending"

OVERVIEW
Sony Computer Entertainment introduces a new concept in trading card games with THE EYE OF JUDGMENTTM developed exclusively for PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system. Utilizing Hasbro and its Wizards of the Coast subsidiary's trading card expertise, the immense power of the PS3 system, and the PLAYSTATION Eye, Sony's groundbreaking next-generation USB camera for PS3, THE EYE OF JUDGMENT provides a visually stunning experience that adds a third dimension to the trading card game genre.

Developed by Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios, JAPAN Studio, THE EYE OF JUDGMENT presents a new style of gameplay where collectable trading cards, embedded with a CyberCode, are brought to life in the 3D game through use of the innovative "9 Fields" battle mat and PLAYSTATION Eye. Players compete by selecting a card and placing the coded card in front of the PLAYSTATION Eye for their respective creatures to come to life and battle on screen. Players take turns placing cards as they jostle for control; the winner is the first player to conquer five of the nine squares of the "9 Fields" battle mat. The gamers task is to conquer the board by deploying their cards more skillfully than their opponent.

Players have four ways to play THE EYE OF JUDGMENT, single player against their PS3, against an opponent in two-player mode, against an opponent online, or letting the PS3 play out a round with the cards the player owns. THE EYE OF JUDGMENT comes with a starter deck of 30 character and spell cards manufactured by Hasbro. Pre-constructed decks and booster packs, sold separately in stores, can be purchased to strategically build the perfect deck using the 110 cards unique cards available.

KEY FEATURES

A revolutionary new way to use the PS3 system, based on traditional trading card games and given a new dimension in 3D by next-generation technology.
Developed in collaboration with Hasbro and its Wizards of the Coast subsidiary that produces MAGIC: THE GATHERING
Four ways to play - player vs. PS3, player vs. player offline, player vs. player online, PS3 vs. PS3 using players own deck.
High Definition 3D animated characters and vehicles come to life seamlessly into the on camera view of your tabletop.
THE EYE OF JUDGMENT will be bundled with PLAYSTATION Eye, 9 Fields mat, stand, a starter deck of 30 cards, and a booster pack of 8 cards. More than 100 different characters and spells will be offered via additional booster packs and pre-constructed decks, available at major retail chains.
THE EYE OF JUDGMENT is a socially engaging title that will appeal to gamers of all ages and abilities.