UDraw GameTablet
Encyclopedia
The uDraw GameTablet is a gaming graphics tablet
released in 2010
for the Wii
and 2011 for the PlayStation 3
and Xbox 360
, developed by video game publisher THQ
. The uDraw GameTablet uses a pressure-sensitive stylus which allows users to draw
and view their creations on screen. The tablet is motion-sensitive, via either Wii Remote
or internal accelerometers, which lets users tilt and roll the tablet for various changes in gameplay. The uDraw GameTablet was introduced for the Wii on November 14, 2010 in white. The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions of the tablet were released on November 15, 2011 in black, along with a black-coloured version for the Wii. It is bundled with an art-based video game, uDraw Studio. Two other games were also introduced simultaneously with the launch of the uDraw Pictionary
and Dood's Big Adventure
.
as a first-of-its-kind gaming accessory to provide a unique way for kids and families to play with the Wii
. It is the first drawing
device for the seventh generation consoles
.
The original uDraw GameTablet has a 4 by 6-inch drawing surface on which users can create free-form drawings and artwork, as well as play games designed specifically for the uDraw GameTablet, using an attached pressure-sensitive stylus pen. The stylus also has a dual-function seesaw button that emulates the C and Z buttons on the Wii Nunchuk. The Wii Remote docks in the Wii's uDraw GameTablet, which draws power directly from the Wii Remote’s battery. The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions use AA batteries, and have a different design in comparison to the original Wii version, including horizontal stylus holders instead of the original's vertical holder, and buttons and directional pads similar to the ones found on the DualShock 3 and Xbox 360 Controller
s. The uDraw GameTablet also takes advantage of the Wii Remote’s motion sensors and tilt movement options, allowing users to control their characters by moving and directing them throughout levels of the game.
have previously released its own motion-sensitive controller, the PlayStation Move, which is not used alongside the uDraw GameTablet.
), a video game that allows users to draw, color, paint and create works of art. Players can use the available tools and features to draw, paint and color simple shapes, or experiment with different painting
styles, layers and shading. Due to its versatile nature, players have the freedom to create any kind of art, from basic doodles to intricate paintings. There are 12 different painting and drawing brushes in uDraw Studio. The game comes with a huge library of more than 100 stamps and more than 10 post-processing effects, including black-and-white, sepia
and neon
. Players get the most precise painting options by being able to zoom in up to 400%. Sliders and toggles adjust brush size, paint drop-off and opacity.
Features on uDraw Studio include:
Pictionary
, which involves guessing words from sketches made by other members of the player's team. Words can be objects, people, actions, animals or "difficult". Users play the game in three game modes: Pictionary Game Show, Pictionary Mania and Free Draw. It also comes with more than 3,000 clues and various drawing styles, shape tools and colors.
Joystiq said that the uDraw GameTablet's "simple mostly-white design makes it a perfect companion for the Wii", noting that the replay function is a cool feature: "In the hands of a capable artist, this will undoubtedly make for some mesmerizing videos." USA Today
s review said that "navigating with the stylus feels easy", and both the tablet and stylus handled coloring and stroke move well. In contrast, Calum Wilson Austin of The Sydney Morning Herald
gave the Tablet a 3/10, and called it "the worst gaming peripheral ever." Austin stated "As a matter of principle, nobody should buy this product, companies like THQ will only learn from this experience if it's a massive failure economically, which it deserves to be."
Graphics tablet
A graphics tablet is a computer input device that enables a user to hand-draw images and graphics, similar to the way a person draws images with a pencil and paper. These tablets may also be used to capture data or handwritten signatures...
released in 2010
2010 in video gaming
The year 2010 has seen many sequels and prequels in video games, including several new titles.-Events:-Game releases:List of games scheduled for release in 2010 in North America....
for the Wii
Wii
The Wii is a home video game console released by Nintendo on November 19, 2006. As a seventh-generation console, the Wii primarily competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3. Nintendo states that its console targets a broader demographic than that of the two others...
and 2011 for the PlayStation 3
PlayStation 3
The is the third home video game console produced by Sony Computer Entertainment and the successor to the PlayStation 2 as part of the PlayStation series. The PlayStation 3 competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
and Xbox 360
Xbox 360
The Xbox 360 is the second video game console produced by Microsoft and the successor to the Xbox. The Xbox 360 competes with Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
, developed by video game publisher THQ
THQ
THQ Inc. is an American developer and publisher of video games. Founded in 1989 in the United States, the company develops products for video game consoles, handheld game systems, as well as for personal computers and wireless devices...
. The uDraw GameTablet uses a pressure-sensitive stylus which allows users to draw
Draw
Draw, draws or drawn may refer to:* The act of drawing, or making an image with a writing utensil* A part of many card games* A part of a lottery* Wire drawing...
and view their creations on screen. The tablet is motion-sensitive, via either Wii Remote
Wii Remote
The , also known as the Wiimote, is the primary controller for Nintendo's Wii console. A main feature of the Wii Remote is its motion sensing capability, which allows the user to interact with and manipulate items on screen via gesture recognition and pointing through the use of accelerometer and...
or internal accelerometers, which lets users tilt and roll the tablet for various changes in gameplay. The uDraw GameTablet was introduced for the Wii on November 14, 2010 in white. The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions of the tablet were released on November 15, 2011 in black, along with a black-coloured version for the Wii. It is bundled with an art-based video game, uDraw Studio. Two other games were also introduced simultaneously with the launch of the uDraw Pictionary
UDraw Pictionary
uDraw Pictionary is an art-based video game developed by Page 44 Studios and published by THQ Inc. that players can play on the uDraw GameTablet for the Nintendo Wii. The game is based on the popular board game Pictionary, in which players draw pictures based on clues from a subject and have their...
and Dood's Big Adventure
Dood's Big Adventure
Dood's Big Adventure is an action-adventure and art-based video game developed by THQ Digital Phoenix and published by THQ for the uDraw GameTablet for the Nintendo Wii. The game lets players draw, tilt and maneuver through 60 different challenging levels by creating their own hero and tools within...
.
Creation and Development
The uDraw GameTablet was developed by THQTHQ
THQ Inc. is an American developer and publisher of video games. Founded in 1989 in the United States, the company develops products for video game consoles, handheld game systems, as well as for personal computers and wireless devices...
as a first-of-its-kind gaming accessory to provide a unique way for kids and families to play with the Wii
Wii
The Wii is a home video game console released by Nintendo on November 19, 2006. As a seventh-generation console, the Wii primarily competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3. Nintendo states that its console targets a broader demographic than that of the two others...
. It is the first drawing
Drawing
Drawing is a form of visual art that makes use of any number of drawing instruments to mark a two-dimensional medium. Common instruments include graphite pencils, pen and ink, inked brushes, wax color pencils, crayons, charcoal, chalk, pastels, markers, styluses, and various metals .An artist who...
device for the seventh generation consoles
History of video game consoles (seventh generation)
In the history of video games, the seventh generation of consoles is the current generation , and includes consoles released since late by Nintendo, Microsoft, and Sony...
.
The original uDraw GameTablet has a 4 by 6-inch drawing surface on which users can create free-form drawings and artwork, as well as play games designed specifically for the uDraw GameTablet, using an attached pressure-sensitive stylus pen. The stylus also has a dual-function seesaw button that emulates the C and Z buttons on the Wii Nunchuk. The Wii Remote docks in the Wii's uDraw GameTablet, which draws power directly from the Wii Remote’s battery. The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions use AA batteries, and have a different design in comparison to the original Wii version, including horizontal stylus holders instead of the original's vertical holder, and buttons and directional pads similar to the ones found on the DualShock 3 and Xbox 360 Controller
Xbox 360 Controller
The Xbox 360 Controller is the primary controller for Microsoft's Xbox 360 console and was introduced at E3 2005. The Xbox 360 controller comes in both wired and wireless versions. Original Xbox controllers are not compatible with the Xbox 360...
s. The uDraw GameTablet also takes advantage of the Wii Remote’s motion sensors and tilt movement options, allowing users to control their characters by moving and directing them throughout levels of the game.
Sony
, commonly referred to as Sony, is a Japanese multinational conglomerate corporation headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan and the world's fifth largest media conglomerate measured by revenues....
have previously released its own motion-sensitive controller, the PlayStation Move, which is not used alongside the uDraw GameTablet.
uDraw Studio
The uDraw GameTablet comes with uDraw Studio (developed by Pipeworks SoftwarePipeworks Software
-History:Part of Foundation 9 Entertainment, the largest independent game developer in North America, Pipeworks Software, Inc. began life as an independent studio with senior artists, designers, and programmers from such titles as Tribes, Pro Pilot, Populous, Aces, 3D Ultra, Front Page Sports, and...
), a video game that allows users to draw, color, paint and create works of art. Players can use the available tools and features to draw, paint and color simple shapes, or experiment with different painting
Painting
Painting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a surface . The application of the medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush but other objects can be used. In art, the term painting describes both the act and the result of the action. However, painting is...
styles, layers and shading. Due to its versatile nature, players have the freedom to create any kind of art, from basic doodles to intricate paintings. There are 12 different painting and drawing brushes in uDraw Studio. The game comes with a huge library of more than 100 stamps and more than 10 post-processing effects, including black-and-white, sepia
Sepia
-Marine life:* Sepia , a genus of cuttlefish* Cephalopod ink, a dark pigment released into water by Sepia cuttlefish-Media and entertainment:* Sepia , an African Americans focused Photojournalism magazine...
and neon
Neon
Neon is the chemical element that has the symbol Ne and an atomic number of 10. Although a very common element in the universe, it is rare on Earth. A colorless, inert noble gas under standard conditions, neon gives a distinct reddish-orange glow when used in either low-voltage neon glow lamps or...
. Players get the most precise painting options by being able to zoom in up to 400%. Sliders and toggles adjust brush size, paint drop-off and opacity.
Features on uDraw Studio include:
- Painting – Paint or draw using 19 media options.
- Toolbox – Change colors, brushes, canvases, and pens.
- Canvases – Select from 19 canvas types from notebook paper to sidewalk.
- Environments – Create art in four different environments such as a beach house overlooking the ocean.
- Coloring Book – Color in or outside the lines and choose from a variety of styles and themes.
- Replay – Watch the creation of art stroke-by-stroke at normal, 8x and 9x speeds.
- Gallery – Go through previous art works or replay and augment the art already created.
- Save and Share – Use an SD card to save, share and print artwork.
uDraw Pictionary
uDraw Pictionary is based on the board gameBoard game
A board game is a game which involves counters or pieces being moved on a pre-marked surface or "board", according to a set of rules. Games may be based on pure strategy, chance or a mixture of the two, and usually have a goal which a player aims to achieve...
Pictionary
Pictionary
Pictionary is a guessing word game designed by Robert Angel and first published in 1985 by Seattle Games Inc. The game is played with teams with players trying to identify specific words from their teammates' drawings.-Objective:...
, which involves guessing words from sketches made by other members of the player's team. Words can be objects, people, actions, animals or "difficult". Users play the game in three game modes: Pictionary Game Show, Pictionary Mania and Free Draw. It also comes with more than 3,000 clues and various drawing styles, shape tools and colors.
uDraw Dood's Big Adventure
Dood's Big Adventure lets users draw, tilt and maneuver to defeat enemies and beat different levels. Players can customize their Dood, baddies, and obstacles and use the uDraw GameTablet to draw a line and have Dood bounce through levels on a trampoline, roll the Dood through the level by tilting the uDraw GameTablet, or have the Dood float on bubbles to get through challenges.Games
The following Wii games make use of UDraw Game Tablet:| Title | Developer | Publisher | Bundled | Required | Release date N. America | Release date Japan | Release date Europe | Release date Australia | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| uDraw Studio UDraw Studio uDraw Studio is an Art Game for Wii which is bundled with the uDraw GameTablet and is the main game in the uDraw series. The game was Published by THQ, Developed by Pipeworks Software, and released in North America on November 14, 2010, February 24, 2011 in Australia and in Europe on March 4, 2011... |
Pipeworks Software Pipeworks Software -History:Part of Foundation 9 Entertainment, the largest independent game developer in North America, Pipeworks Software, Inc. began life as an independent studio with senior artists, designers, and programmers from such titles as Tribes, Pro Pilot, Populous, Aces, 3D Ultra, Front Page Sports, and... |
THQ THQ THQ Inc. is an American developer and publisher of video games. Founded in 1989 in the United States, the company develops products for video game consoles, handheld game systems, as well as for personal computers and wireless devices... |
Yes | Yes | November 14, 2010 | N/A | March 4, 2011 | February 24, 2011 | |
| Pictionary UDraw Pictionary uDraw Pictionary is an art-based video game developed by Page 44 Studios and published by THQ Inc. that players can play on the uDraw GameTablet for the Nintendo Wii. The game is based on the popular board game Pictionary, in which players draw pictures based on clues from a subject and have their... |
Page 44 Studios Page 44 Studios Page 44 Studios is an independently owned video game developer based in San Francisco, California. It was founded in 1998 by General Manager Steven Apour and Director of Development Denis Fung... |
THQ THQ THQ Inc. is an American developer and publisher of video games. Founded in 1989 in the United States, the company develops products for video game consoles, handheld game systems, as well as for personal computers and wireless devices... |
Some | Yes | November 14, 2010 | N/A | March 4, 2011 | February 24, 2011 | |
| Dood's Big Adventure Dood's Big Adventure Dood's Big Adventure is an action-adventure and art-based video game developed by THQ Digital Phoenix and published by THQ for the uDraw GameTablet for the Nintendo Wii. The game lets players draw, tilt and maneuver through 60 different challenging levels by creating their own hero and tools within... |
THQ Digital Studios Phoenix | THQ THQ THQ Inc. is an American developer and publisher of video games. Founded in 1989 in the United States, the company develops products for video game consoles, handheld game systems, as well as for personal computers and wireless devices... |
Some | Yes | November 14, 2010 | N/A | March 4, 2011 | February 24, 2011 | |
| SpongeBob SquigglePants SpongeBob SquigglePants SpongeBob SquigglePants is an action video game based on the SpongeBob SquarePants television series, developed by WayForward Technologies and published by THQ. The game was first announced on March 23, 2011 and was released for Wii in North America on April 12, 2011, April 14, 2011 in Australia,... |
WayForward Technologies WayForward Technologies WayForward Technologies is a game development company based in Valencia, California. Founded in 1990 by technology entrepreneur Voldi Way, WayForward started by developing games for consoles such as the Super Nintendo Entertainment System and Sega Genesis, as well as TV games and PC educational... |
THQ THQ THQ Inc. is an American developer and publisher of video games. Founded in 1989 in the United States, the company develops products for video game consoles, handheld game systems, as well as for personal computers and wireless devices... |
N/A | Yes | April 12, 2011 | N/A | April 15, 2011 | April 14, 2011 | |
| Kung Fu Panda 2 Kung Fu Panda 2 (video game) Kung Fu Panda 2 is a video game, loosely based on the film of the same name. The game was released across various platforms on May 24, 2011.-Kinect Version:... |
Griptonite Games Griptonite Games Griptonite Games, is an American video game developer developer located in Kirkland, Washington. It is currently wholly owned by Glu Mobile, but was formerly a part of super-developer Foundation 9 Entertainment, where it was previously a studio of Amaze Entertainment.-History:Steve Ettinger opened... |
THQ THQ THQ Inc. is an American developer and publisher of video games. Founded in 1989 in the United States, the company develops products for video game consoles, handheld game systems, as well as for personal computers and wireless devices... |
N/A | Yes | May 24, 2011 | N/A | June 10, 2011 | June 16, 2011 | |
| Disney Princess Enchanting Storybooks | Disney Interactive Studios | THQ THQ THQ Inc. is an American developer and publisher of video games. Founded in 1989 in the United States, the company develops products for video game consoles, handheld game systems, as well as for personal computers and wireless devices... |
Some | Yes | November 1, 2011 | N/A | November 18, 2011 | November 17, 2011 | |
| Marvel Super Hero Squad: Comic Combat Marvel Super Hero Squad: Comic Combat Marvel Super Hero Squad: Comic Combat is the first Marvel Comics video game to use the uDraw GameTablet. The game was developed by Griptonite Games, and published by THQ. With the cartoonish super-deformed characters returning, Marvel Super Hero Squad: Comic Combat will be the third video game in... |
Griptonite Games Griptonite Games Griptonite Games, is an American video game developer developer located in Kirkland, Washington. It is currently wholly owned by Glu Mobile, but was formerly a part of super-developer Foundation 9 Entertainment, where it was previously a studio of Amaze Entertainment.-History:Steve Ettinger opened... |
THQ THQ THQ Inc. is an American developer and publisher of video games. Founded in 1989 in the United States, the company develops products for video game consoles, handheld game systems, as well as for personal computers and wireless devices... |
N/A | Yes | November 15, 2011 | N/A | November 18, 2011 | November 17, 2011 | |
| uDraw Studio: Instant Artist | THQ THQ THQ Inc. is an American developer and publisher of video games. Founded in 1989 in the United States, the company develops products for video game consoles, handheld game systems, as well as for personal computers and wireless devices... |
THQ THQ THQ Inc. is an American developer and publisher of video games. Founded in 1989 in the United States, the company develops products for video game consoles, handheld game systems, as well as for personal computers and wireless devices... |
Yes | Yes | November 15, 2011 | N/A | November 18, 2011 | November 17, 2011 | |
Reception
The uDraw GameTablet hardware and uDraw Studio video games have generally received positive reviews. In August 2010 at the announcement of uDraw, analysts predict that uDraw could "sell up to one million units", with the potential to be a sleeper hit during the 2010 holiday season. THQ also showcased uDraw at GamesCom 2010 and reviewers noted that the clean user interface and simple design "makes it accessible to the widest audience possible".Joystiq said that the uDraw GameTablet's "simple mostly-white design makes it a perfect companion for the Wii", noting that the replay function is a cool feature: "In the hands of a capable artist, this will undoubtedly make for some mesmerizing videos." USA Today
USA Today
USA Today is a national American daily newspaper published by the Gannett Company. It was founded by Al Neuharth. The newspaper vies with The Wall Street Journal for the position of having the widest circulation of any newspaper in the United States, something it previously held since 2003...
s review said that "navigating with the stylus feels easy", and both the tablet and stylus handled coloring and stroke move well. In contrast, Calum Wilson Austin of The Sydney Morning Herald
The Sydney Morning Herald
The Sydney Morning Herald is a daily broadsheet newspaper published by Fairfax Media in Sydney, Australia. Founded in 1831 as the Sydney Herald, the SMH is the oldest continuously published newspaper in Australia. The newspaper is published six days a week. The newspaper's Sunday counterpart, The...
gave the Tablet a 3/10, and called it "the worst gaming peripheral ever." Austin stated "As a matter of principle, nobody should buy this product, companies like THQ will only learn from this experience if it's a massive failure economically, which it deserves to be."