Swinxs

Lore & Background

The Swinxs was designed by Khodi Feiz of Feiz Design before October 2, 2008, and developed by the Dutch company Swinxs BV. It first launched in the Netherlands in spring 2008, followed by a United Kingdom launch on October 2, 2008. Later in 2008, it became available in Spain, Portugal, and Italy, with the Middle East and South America following in early 2009. The system reached the United States in August 2009, priced at $150 USD. In December 2010, it cost 3,000 pesos in Mexico. The console and its associated online services were discontinued in 2020.

The system uses a tangible user interface or a simple natural user interface, with output limited to a light and speaker. Input is provided by three buttons (white, green, red), an RFID reader, an accelerometer, a microphone, and a USB port. It supports 1 to 10 players. The USB port allows connection to a PC or Macintosh for downloading new content, uploading scores, and recharging the internal battery, which runs for approximately four hours when fully charged.

The Swinxs uses wristbands called XS tags, equipped with RFID chips that communicate with the console. Other objects, such as a frisbee, could also have RFID chips embedded to act as controllers. Over 25 games were available, ranging from active games like relay and duel to quizzes and educational games. In October 2008, card games were launched. The system won several awards: third prize at the European Innovation Game Award in November 2008, Game of the Year Award 2009 from Creative Child Magazine, a Parents' Choice award in fall 2009, the National Parenting Publications Award in August 2009, and the Seal of Approval from the National Parenting Center in August 2009.

Reader's Guide

The Swinxs holds significance as an early example of a screen-free gaming console that prioritized physical and educational play for children. Its use of RFID technology, audio, and light instead of a display anticipated later trends in active gaming and tangible interfaces. The console's SDK was made available to the general public at no cost, allowing users to create their own games using the Swinxs Talk programming language, which originated from industrial robotics and was based on finite-state machines. The SDK included an emulator for testing. This openness encouraged community development, though the online services that supported game downloads and score uploads were discontinued in 2020. The Swinxs' legacy lies in its niche approach to child-friendly, screen-free interaction, and its recognition through multiple parenting and innovation awards. Its design by Khodi Feiz and development by a Dutch company highlighted a European contribution to the portable console market, focusing on active, multi-player experiences rather than solitary screen-based play.

Did You Know?

• The Swinxs has no screen; it uses a synthesized voice, sounds, and a light for output.
• The console's wristbands, called XS tags, contain RFID chips that communicate with the system.
• The Swinxs SDK was free to use and included an emulator for testing games.

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