Difference between revisions of "Toylets"

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{{ConsoleBob
 
{{ConsoleBob
 
| logo=Toylet logo.png
 
| logo=Toylet logo.png
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| consoleimage=Toylet screen.png
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| consoleimage=Toylets JP.png
 
| imgwidth=300
 
| imgwidth=300
 
| name=
 
| name=
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| maker=[[Sega AM1]]
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| maker=[[Sega R&D1 (2011-2015)|Sega R&D1]]{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20170915180038/http://buzz.sega.jp/title_list/}}
 
| variants=
 
| variants=
 
| add-ons=
 
| add-ons=
 
| processor=
 
| processor=
 
| releases={{releasesToylet
 
| releases={{releasesToylet
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| toylet_date_jp=2011-10{{ref|https://sega-interactive.co.jp/special/history/title/toylets.html}}
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| toylet_date_jp=2011-10{{ref|https://sega.jp/history/arcade/product/8722/}}
 
| toylet_rrp_jp=140,000{{ref|https://www.engadget.com/2012-05-01-sega-urinal-game-toylets.html}}
 
| toylet_rrp_jp=140,000{{ref|https://www.engadget.com/2012-05-01-sega-urinal-game-toylets.html}}
 
| toylet_code_jp=SLS07E990513005{{fileref|Toylet JP flyer.png}}
 
| toylet_code_jp=SLS07E990513005{{fileref|Toylet JP flyer.png}}
−
}}}}{{stub}}'''{{PAGENAME}}''' (トイレッツ) is an [[wikipedia:interactive urinal|interactive urinal]] video game system developed by [[Sega AM1]] and manufactured by [[Sega]]. Seeing a limited release exclusively in Japan in October 2011{{ref|https://sega-interactive.co.jp/special/history/title/toylets.html}}, the Toylet is one of Sega's more curious endeavors, featuring interactive minigames controlled via the strength and direction of the user's urination.
+
| toylet_date_us=201X
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| toylet_rrp_us=
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| toylet_code_us=
 +
}}}}'''{{PAGENAME}}''' (トイレッツ) are an [[wikipedia:interactive urinal|interactive urinal]] video game system developed by [[Sega R&D1 (2011-2015)|Sega R&D1]]{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20170915180038/http://buzz.sega.jp/title_list/}} and manufactured by [[Sega]]. Initially seeing a limited release in Japan in October 2011{{ref|https://sega.jp/history/arcade/product/8722/}}, the hardware is one of Sega's more curious endeavors, featuring interactive minigames controlled via the strength and direction of the user's urination.
  
 
==Hardware==
 
==Hardware==
−
[[File:Toylet screens.png|thumb|280px|A pair of installed Toylet systems.]]
+
Toylets consist of a two-part system, featuring a [[wikipedia:Liquid-crystal display|LCD]] screen{{intref|Toylets/Technical specifications}} placed above its respective urinal to display the game's software, and a specialized [[wikipedia:motion detector|motion-tracking sensor]]{{intref|Toylets/Technical specifications}} mounted atop the urinal itself. Due to this, the system is compatible with most existing urinals, and has been installed on a variety of urinal bodies and styles.
−
The Toylet is a two-part system, featuring an LCD screen placed above its respective urinal to display the game's software, and a specialized [[Toylet sensor|motion-tracking sensor]] mounted atop the urinal itself. Due to this, the system is compatible with all existing urinals, and has been installed on a variety of urinal bodies and styles.
 
  
−
A small sticker of a bulls-eye is affixed to the bottom-center of the urinal's main basin wall, and the attached sensor is calibrated towards that spot. The bulls-eye encourages users to direct their urine steams towards the sticker, therefore reducing the amount of excessive urine that escapes the basin, resulting in cleanlier bathrooms and lower maintenance costs.
+
A small sticker of a bulls-eye is affixed to the bottom of the urinal's main basin wall, and the Toylets' downward-facing sensor is then calibrated towards that spot. In addition to serving a technical purpose (providing the sensor with a clear, static reference for measuring stream motion and amount), the bulls-eye also encourages players to direct their streams towards the sticker and retain their aim for the entirety of their urination. Importantly, this reduces the amount of excessive urine which escapes the basin - resulting in cleanlier bathrooms and lower maintenance costs - and something used as one of the Toylets' key selling points.{{ref|http://toylets.sega.jp/products.html}}
  
−
Interactive urinals like the Toylet are often seen as interesting novelty experiences, with some venues advertising their installations as a means to attract additional guests. Many Japanese venue owners in Japan specifically installed Toylets at their properties to draw in new customers, as experiencing a Toylet is often seen as a notable point-of-interest or destination for curious guests.
+
[[File:Toylet screens.png|thumb|left|290px|A pair of Toylets with their original marquees.]]
 +
As the Toylets' sensor must face downward towards the player's urine stream, [[Sega]] understandingly designed its waterproof case to entirely conceal said sensor. As opposed to the expected translucent black strip of most modern electronics, the hardware is built to operate through the plastic of the case itself, reducing any intimidation or concern over a motion-sensor pointed towards players' genitals - especially important considering the unfamiliarity of consumers to such a concept. The sensor's mounting bracket comes in three types according to the urinal shape, with Sega maintaining a list of non-compatible urinals for buyers to reference before purchase. While the physical shape of the mounting bracket is designed for upright male urinals, the hardware is theoretically usable by anyone, given proper calibration.
 +
 
 +
The screen itself contains a custom [[Sega]] hardware board running [[wikipedia:Windows Embedded CE 6.0|Windows Embedded CE 6.0]] at a resolution of 800x600 pixels{{intref|Toylets/Technical specifications}}, all powered by a generic 100V power supply. It features a single monaural speaker for sound output, and a [[wikipedia:USB 2.0|USB 2.0]] port through which both players save their scores and venue-owners interact with the system.{{intref|Toylets/Technical specifications}} Additionally, Toylets feature a software-enabled [[wikipedia:Power management|power saving mode]]{{fileref|Toylet OS powersaving.png}} which drops the system's power consumption from 14w to 4w.{{ref|http://toylets.sega.jp/products.html}}
 +
 
 +
Games appear to have been sold to venue owners on dedicated USB drives, which can be directly inserted into the Toylets' screen to swap out different titles. Most installations were generally set to Free Play mode. However, by utilizing the optional coin box accessory, the system can accept payment for gameplay - with its price generally set to ¥10. The screen could also be adorned with a specialized frosted glass cover{{fileref|Toylets frostedglass 1.png}} for more upscale venues.
  
 
==Software==
 
==Software==
−
A selection of urination-controlled minigames are available for play, with users' high scores recorded by the system in a similar manner to arcade games. Scores can later be [[Toylet USB high score records|downloaded and saved]] by inserting a [[wikipedia:USB flash drive|USB flash drive]] directly into the system. Between games, the LCD screen displays brief advertisements selected by the installed venue.
+
[[File:Toylet advertisement.png|240px|right|thumb||Interstitial advertising was a primary selling point of Toylets hardware.]]
 +
A selection of urination-controlled minigames are available for play, with users' high scores recorded by the system in a similar manner to arcade games. Scores can later be downloaded and saved by inserting a personal [[wikipedia:USB flash drive|USB flash drive]] directly into the system after gameplay has concluded. This direct user contact with their high scores not only allows for a legitimate competitive element among Toylets players, but more importantly serves as a form of digital [[wikipedia:Souvenir|souvenir]] for their time with the system itself. As Toylets were often installed specifically to draw in guests based on its unique premise alone, the ability to take home a small reminder of that experience notably added to the system's appeal and value - and something which also continues to preserve its unique legacy on a more intimate scale.
  
−
===List of games===
+
Between games, the LCD screen displays brief advertisements selected by the installed venue, with owners able to uploaded new advertisements to the hardware over USB. The in-game advertisement system is only able to display static screens, limited solely to .jpg and .bmp images.
−
{{mainArticle|List of Toylet games}}
+
 
 +
==List of games==
 +
{{mainArticle|List of Toylets games}}
 
{{multicol|
 
{{multicol|
−
*''[[At the Urine Checker]]''
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*''[[Bukkake Battle! Hana Kara Gyuunyuu]]'' (2011)
−
*''[[Collect! Manneken Pis]]''
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*''[[Bukkake Battle! Hana Kara Gyuunyuu: Banchou Battle]]'' (2011)
−
*''[[Collect! Manneken Pis: Deluxe Edition]]''
+
*''[[Dokitsu! Boufuu Keihou Hatsurei]]'' (2011)
−
*''[[Graffiti Eraser]]''
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*''[[Graffiti Eraser]]'' (2011)
−
*''[[The North Wind and The Sun... And Me]]''
+
*''[[Panel Quiz Chou Nyo-ryoku]]'' (2011)
−
*''[[Panel Quiz Super Urine~Power]]''
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*''[[Nyounai Checker]]'' (2011)
−
*''[[Splash Battle! Milk from the Nose]]''
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*''[[Tamero! Shoubengozou]]'' (2011)
−
*''[[Splash Battle! Milk from the Nose: Banchou Battle]]''
+
*''[[Tamero! Shoubengozou Deluxe]]'' (2011)
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
===Advertisements===
+
==History==
 +
{{MainArticle|History of Toylets}}
 +
[[Sega of Japan]] officially launched Toylets in October 2011 as one of the first serious attempts to enter the interactive toilet market. Eight total games were produced for the hardware, with the company hinting at a possible international rollout. However, these plans did not come to fruition, and while reportedly well-received, Sega chose to discontinue all Toylets sales in May 2016.{{ref|http://toylets.sega.jp/images/toylets_info20160621.pdf}}
  
−
===USB high score records===
+
==Production credits==
−
{{MainArticle|Toylet USB high score records}}
+
{{creditstable|
−
One of the Toylet's selling points was its ability to save players' high scores. By bringing a personal [[wikipedia:USB flash drive|USB flash drive]] on a trip to a Toylet-equipped venue (or by preferably utilizing one already attached to players' keychains), users can insert their drives into the system itself and [[Toylet USB high score records|save a completed game's high scores]].
+
*'''General Producer:''' [[Yasuhiro Nishiyama]]{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20160522175126/https://sega-interactive.co.jp/special/interview/vol2-1/}}
−
 
+
*'''Producer:''' [[Hirotaka Machida]]{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20111118054010/http://www.itmedia.co.jp/news/articles/1111/18/news042.html}}
−
Not only does this allow for a legitimate competitive element among Toylet players, it more importantly as a form of digital souvenir for their time with the system itself. As the Toylet was often installed specifically to draw in guests based on its unique premise alone, the ability to take home a small reminder of that unique experience - something which also continues to preserve its innovative legacy on a more intimate scale than one afforded in a public restroom or video game arcade.
+
*'''Chief Director:''' [[Arata Jumonji]]{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20111118054010/http://www.itmedia.co.jp/news/articles/1111/18/news042.html}}
 +
| source=Various sources
 +
| console=TOYLET
 +
}}
  
 
==Promotional material==
 
==Promotional material==
−
<gallery>
+
{{mainArticle|{{PAGENAME}}/Promotional material}}
−
Toylet JP flyer.png|Flyer.
 
−
Toylet cleanlinessgraphic.png|A graphic depicting the Toylet's effect on bathroom cleanliness.
 
−
Toylet mascot.png|A graphic of the Toylet's mascot, Manneken Pis.
 
−
</gallery>
 
  
−
==Images==
+
==Photographs==
−
<gallery>
+
:''Main article: [[:Category:Photos of {{PAGENAME}} hardware|Photos of {{PAGENAME}}]]
−
Toylet screen.png|The Toylet's screen and main hardware.
 
−
ToyletSensor.png|[[Toylet sensor]] (bottom.)
 
−
ToyletSensor front.png|[[Toylet sensor]] (front.)
 
−
Toylet bullseye.png|The Toylet's bulls-eye.
 
−
Toylet advertisement.png|A interstitial Toylet advertisement.
 
−
Toylet screens.png|A pair of installed Toylet systems.
 
−
Toylet units 2.png|A trio of installed Toylet systems.
 
−
Toylet wall.png|A row of installed Toylet systems, including a handicap-accessible unit.
 
−
</gallery>
 
−
===Add-ons===
 
−
<gallery>
 
−
Toylet screenstandmarquee.png|Toylet with attached [[Toylet stand|stand]].
 
−
Toyletcoinbox.png|[[Toylet coin box]].
 
−
</gallery>
 
−
===Unknown Japanese trade show===
 
−
<gallery>
 
−
Toylet tradeshowbooth.png|Toylet booth at an unknown Japanese trade show.
 
−
Toylet CollectMannekenPis tradeshow 2.png|''[[Collect! Manneken Pis]]'' being demonstrated at an unknown Japanese trade show.
 
−
Toylet MannekenPis tradeshow.png|''[[Collect! Manneken Pis]]'' being demonstrated at an unknown Japanese trade show.
 
−
</gallery>
 
  
 
==Physical scans==
 
==Physical scans==
 
{{ScanArcade
 
{{ScanArcade
 
| type=upright
 
| type=upright
−
| console=Arcade
+
| console=Toylets
 
| region=JP
 
| region=JP
 
| marquee=Toylet marquee.png
 
| marquee=Toylet marquee.png
Line 92: Line 83:
 
*''[https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/you-can-now-enjoy-toylet-home-flna746728 You can now enjoy 'Toylet' at home]'' article by Matthew Hawkins at ''[https://www.nbcnews.com NBC News]''
 
*''[https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/you-can-now-enjoy-toylet-home-flna746728 You can now enjoy 'Toylet' at home]'' article by Matthew Hawkins at ''[https://www.nbcnews.com NBC News]''
 
*''[http://orangeandcyanarts.blogspot.com/2013/01/a-short-history-of-creativity-and.html A Short History of Creativity and Toilets]'' article by Tracey McGarrigan & Ian Abbott at ''[http://orangeandcyanarts.blogspot.com Orange and Cyan Arts]''
 
*''[http://orangeandcyanarts.blogspot.com/2013/01/a-short-history-of-creativity-and.html A Short History of Creativity and Toilets]'' article by Tracey McGarrigan & Ian Abbott at ''[http://orangeandcyanarts.blogspot.com Orange and Cyan Arts]''
 +
*''[https://playaslife.wordpress.com/2014/08/30/how-strong-do-you-pee-interactive-urinal-game/ How strong do you pee? Interactive urinal game]'' article by arcticpenguin at ''[https://playaslife.wordpress.com Play as Life]''
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
 
<references/>
 
<references/>
  
−
{{ToyletOmni}}
+
{{ToyletsOmni}}

Latest revision as of 09:37, 23 January 2024

Toylet logo.png
Toylets JP.png
Toylets
Manufacturer: Sega R&D1[1]
Release Date RRP Code
Toylet
JP		 ¥140,000[2] SLS07E990513005[4]

Toylets (トイレッツ) are an interactive urinal video game system developed by Sega R&D1[1] and manufactured by Sega. Initially seeing a limited release in Japan in October 2011[3], the hardware is one of Sega's more curious endeavors, featuring interactive minigames controlled via the strength and direction of the user's urination.

Hardware

Toylets consist of a two-part system, featuring a LCD screen[5] placed above its respective urinal to display the game's software, and a specialized motion-tracking sensor[5] mounted atop the urinal itself. Due to this, the system is compatible with most existing urinals, and has been installed on a variety of urinal bodies and styles.

A small sticker of a bulls-eye is affixed to the bottom of the urinal's main basin wall, and the Toylets' downward-facing sensor is then calibrated towards that spot. In addition to serving a technical purpose (providing the sensor with a clear, static reference for measuring stream motion and amount), the bulls-eye also encourages players to direct their streams towards the sticker and retain their aim for the entirety of their urination. Importantly, this reduces the amount of excessive urine which escapes the basin - resulting in cleanlier bathrooms and lower maintenance costs - and something used as one of the Toylets' key selling points.[6]

A pair of Toylets with their original marquees.

As the Toylets' sensor must face downward towards the player's urine stream, Sega understandingly designed its waterproof case to entirely conceal said sensor. As opposed to the expected translucent black strip of most modern electronics, the hardware is built to operate through the plastic of the case itself, reducing any intimidation or concern over a motion-sensor pointed towards players' genitals - especially important considering the unfamiliarity of consumers to such a concept. The sensor's mounting bracket comes in three types according to the urinal shape, with Sega maintaining a list of non-compatible urinals for buyers to reference before purchase. While the physical shape of the mounting bracket is designed for upright male urinals, the hardware is theoretically usable by anyone, given proper calibration.

The screen itself contains a custom Sega hardware board running Windows Embedded CE 6.0 at a resolution of 800x600 pixels[5], all powered by a generic 100V power supply. It features a single monaural speaker for sound output, and a USB 2.0 port through which both players save their scores and venue-owners interact with the system.[5] Additionally, Toylets feature a software-enabled power saving mode[7] which drops the system's power consumption from 14w to 4w.[6]

Games appear to have been sold to venue owners on dedicated USB drives, which can be directly inserted into the Toylets' screen to swap out different titles. Most installations were generally set to Free Play mode. However, by utilizing the optional coin box accessory, the system can accept payment for gameplay - with its price generally set to ¥10. The screen could also be adorned with a specialized frosted glass cover[8] for more upscale venues.

Software

Interstitial advertising was a primary selling point of Toylets hardware.

A selection of urination-controlled minigames are available for play, with users' high scores recorded by the system in a similar manner to arcade games. Scores can later be downloaded and saved by inserting a personal USB flash drive directly into the system after gameplay has concluded. This direct user contact with their high scores not only allows for a legitimate competitive element among Toylets players, but more importantly serves as a form of digital souvenir for their time with the system itself. As Toylets were often installed specifically to draw in guests based on its unique premise alone, the ability to take home a small reminder of that experience notably added to the system's appeal and value - and something which also continues to preserve its unique legacy on a more intimate scale.

Between games, the LCD screen displays brief advertisements selected by the installed venue, with owners able to uploaded new advertisements to the hardware over USB. The in-game advertisement system is only able to display static screens, limited solely to .jpg and .bmp images.

List of games

Main article: List of Toylets games.

History

Main article: History of Toylets.

Sega of Japan officially launched Toylets in October 2011 as one of the first serious attempts to enter the interactive toilet market. Eight total games were produced for the hardware, with the company hinting at a possible international rollout. However, these plans did not come to fruition, and while reportedly well-received, Sega chose to discontinue all Toylets sales in May 2016.[9]

Production credits

Source:
Various sources


Promotional material

Main article: Toylets/Promotional material.

Photographs

Main article: Photos of Toylets

Physical scans

Toylets, JP
Toylet marquee.png

External links

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 http://buzz.sega.jp/title_list/ (Wayback Machine: 2017-09-15 18:00)
  2. ↑ https://www.engadget.com/2012-05-01-sega-urinal-game-toylets.html
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 https://sega.jp/history/arcade/product/8722/
  4. ↑ File:Toylet JP flyer.png
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Toylets/Technical specifications
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 http://toylets.sega.jp/products.html
  7. ↑ File:Toylet OS powersaving.png
  8. ↑ File:Toylets frostedglass 1.png
  9. ↑ http://toylets.sega.jp/images/toylets_info20160621.pdf
  10. ↑ https://sega-interactive.co.jp/special/interview/vol2-1/ (Wayback Machine: 2016-05-22 17:51)
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 http://www.itmedia.co.jp/news/articles/1111/18/news042.html (Wayback Machine: 2011-11-18 05:40)


Toylets
Topics Technical specifications | History | List of games | Promotional material
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