# Projected Pets The Sony EYEPET By Elsa Blaine | Published 2008-09-27 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/virtual-pets-eyepets-by-sony References: [baekdal](http://www.baekdal.com/future/Social-Networking/real-virtual-pets/) & [ps3fanboy](http://www.ps3fanboy.com/2008/08/20/new-playstation-eye-game-announced-eyepet/) Virtual pets are going to be a reality in late 2009. If you own a [Sony](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/black-sesame-aibo) [PlayStation 3](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rpcs3-overlay) all you’ll need to do is purchase the PlayStation Eye camera and the EYEPET software, and you can project a pet right onto your table. Playing with this little guy, who resembles a cross between a Monchichi and [Gizmo](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gizmo-app) from the movie ‘Gremlins,’ feels almost real. According to this product trailer, you can create toys for him to play with or share your own. You will even be able to dress him up in different costumes and change the color of his fur. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.8/10 - Popularity: 30% | Activity: 15% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/games) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Virtual Pets:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop advanced virtual pet technology for a more immersive and interactive experience. - **Projection Technology:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Explore new applications for projection technology, such as projecting virtual pets onto various surfaces. - **Augmented Reality:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Combine augmented reality and virtual pets for a seamless and lifelike pet ownership experience. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Gaming:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Integrate virtual pets into video games to enhance player engagement and expand the gaming market. - **Consumer Electronics:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Incorporate virtual pet technology into household devices, such as smart speakers or home assistants. - **Toy:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop virtual pet toys that interact with physical objects and offer unique play experiences. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Digital Floating Pet Toys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bitzee.md) - [Animation-Themed Virtual Pets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bitzee-disney.md) - [Squishy Digital Pets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/punirunes.md) - [Interactive Pixel Plushies](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pixel-hugs.md) - [Next-Gen AI Pets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/zumi.md) - [Virtual Pet Metaverses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/my-talking-hank-islands.md) - [Anime-Themed Virtual Pet Toys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pokenade-monster-ball.md) - [Adorable Cyber-Pet Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cyberpet.md) - [Playful Coding Pets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pyxel.md)