Israeli company 3DV Systems has developed what could very well be the next big thing in game controls: the ZCam web camera, which uses the company’s proprietary DeepC chip-set to provide “very accurate depth information at high speed (up to 60 fps) and high depth resolution (1-2 cm),” according to the product data sheet.

The company is demoing the ZCam with a boxing game developed especially for them. The game looks like any other boxing game: You’re a pair of fists in the front of the screen and you’re squaring off with an opponent. The difference is that you just stand there and box, without any other type of input. No controller, no remote. If you think Wii Sports boxing is fun and realistic, the ZCam will blow you away. The ZCam keeps up with your every jab and uppercut with precision. I for one can't wait to go online and virtually box my friends, my enemies, and anyone else who wants some.

3DV was also demoing the ZCam as a media center control. A series of hand gestures let you perform various functions with your digital media in a manner slightly like you’re Tom Cruise at the beginning of Minority Report, except probably not with as much flash and style. It's a pretty cool application, but not as exciting to me as the ZCam’s potential as a game controlling device.

When will you actually get to play with one? The ZCam is in production through the first half of 2008, and should be on the market by the end of the year. But you won’t necessarily be a ZCam contender any time soon if you play games mostly on consoles. At launch, the ZCam will be fully compatible only with Windows PCs. 3DV plans to work with console manufacturers after the product’s release.