Philips Research has developed a concept for a tabletop gaming platform which combines features common to traditional board games and to videogames.

Entertaible features a 32-inch LCD touch screen that enables simultaneous multi-user interaction; can recognize objects and can detect their positions on the board.

It allows the players to engage in a new class of electronic games which combines the features of computer gaming, such as dynamic playing fields and gaming levels, with the social interaction and tangible playing pieces, such as pawns and dies, of traditional board games.

Entertaible can also be connected to the internet, bringing traditional board games to a whole new level, where tournament games and network gaming become possible.

Initially, Entertaible will be targeting public locations such as pubs, hotels and bars, and pilot testing should start later this year; in the long run, Philips plans to introduce the product to the consumer market.

The first integrated version of Entertaible was shown at the IFA this year. More information about the product is available on Philips site.