[mickeymoo @ Sep 11th 2007 10:07AM]

they might want to work on the feet while they're at it - had the chance to play with a pre-production model for a weekend recently, and it's a pretty boring toy. Slides around on the table trying to walk (this is after the "growth cycle" ) doesn't handle carpet well either. It is cute, i'll give it that much - but the paint wore off the petting areas in a few days - and frankly it just doesn't have that much play value for a toy it's price. I can see it being left on a shelf to gather dust by New Years by most people who get one for Christmas

[amjoie @ Sep 11th 2007 12:11PM]

I think you might be better off with a shooter game, if you only like life in the fast lane. But if you are into cutting edge technology and AI (not to mention robots), Pleo is right up your alley.

Paint wearing off a pre-production prototype model is not a predictor of the paint's actual wear, once manufactured. A beta is never the same as the final product. I don't know why this needed mentioning.

I've seen plenty of videos showing Pleo walking on smooth surfaces, and he picked up his feet just fine, without sliding. Maybe you saw an early rather than later prototype.

Also, Pleo needs time to "learn" things. If he wasn't walking around much during his initial growth cycle, that prototype may still be learning how to walk.

"Boring" is in the mind of the beholder. I could never be bored with an AI critter. They change each day. And I could never be bored with a creature who interacts with me, and constantly learns.

Plus, don't forget that Pleo owners with programming ability will be able to do some of their own programming modifications. Hardly boring.