Using a live camera feed opens new and interesting possibilities for video games: Motion controlled games require players to get off the couch and use their whole bodies. Or why not add a video chat feature to enhance the presentation of player-to-player communication? Seeing your opponents face could even become a gameplay feature, for instance, an online poker game could greatly benefit from this. What about a game where players are taking turns in making stupid faces while their opponent tries not to smile or laugh at it? Detection of facial expressions works quite well and in the case of the last example, will detect even the slightest smirk!

Developing game ideas for camera-based video games is very interesting and great fun, especially when your game involves doing funny faces or flapping your arms frantically. But behind the pleasure of these games, there's always a technical side to it, which you will get to know over the course of this recipe. After...