Microsoft opened their show at gaming industry’s premiere trade event E3 with a performance Sunday night by Cirque du Soleil, and continued this week with a press conference where they said goodbye to the controller, at least to the hand held controller. The company showed an updated version of last year’s Project Natal, since renamed Kinect.
Kinect is a hub that hooks into your Xbox 360 and allows you to control it with either gestures or your voice. You can start a movie or a program by saying “Xbox, play” or with a wave of your hand. The unit is designed to activate the moment you step in front of the sensor. At the press event, several software titles were announced for Kinect including:
- “Kinect Adventures” (Microsoft Game Studios). Float in outer space. Experience the thrill of roaring rapids. Tackle mountaintop obstacle courses. And dive into the deep to explore a leaky underwater observatory -” all from your living room. With “Kinect Adventures,” you are the controller as you jump, dodge and kick your way through exciting adventures set in a variety of exotic locations.
“Kinectimals” (Frontier Studio, Microsoft Game Studios). A wide-eyed Bengal Tiger cub cocks its head to the side and playfully peers at you. Memories of your first trip to the zoo come rushing back.” - “Kinect Joy Ride” (Big Park, Microsoft Game Studios). 3 -¦ 2 -¦ 1 -¦ Go! “Kinect Joy Ride,” the first controller-free racing game, will take you and your friends on the ride of your lives – no drivers license required.
- “Kinect Sports” (Rare, Microsoft Game Studios). Turn your living room into a world-class stadium, bowling alley, soccer pitch or arena. With “Kinect Sports” you’re not only the star player, you are the controller -” through the magic of Kinect for Xbox 360. See a ball? Kick it. Spike it. Even give it a little top spin. “Kinect Sports” features soccer, beach volleyball, bowling, table tennis, boxing and multiple track and field events.
- “Dance Central” (MTV Games). “Dance Central” is the first full-body, controller-free dance video game with fun choreography for beginners and experts. Featuring full-body tracking, the magic of Kinect for Xbox 360 allows you to experience real dance with your friends and family. Whether you’re rehearsing in Break It Down! or owning the stage in Perform It, you’ll be introduced to more than 600 moves in the game and more than 90 dance routines all created by professional choreographers. The game features tracks from an amazing mix of pop, hip-hop and R&B artists including Lady Gaga, No Doubt, M.I.A., Bell Biv Devoe, and more. Take your moves to the next level while connecting with the music you love!
- “Your Shape: Fitness Evolved” (Ubisoft). Get the most out of Kinect with “Your Shape: Fitness Evolved.” Unlike other games, the proprietary Player Projection technology of “Your Shape: Fitness Evolved” puts your body into the game for the ultimate experience. You’ll physically interact with virtual environments in ways you’ve never seen before, and you’ll be captivated by unique and exciting visual effects that respond to your movement and impact.
Kinect will be available in the US around November 4th. You can get more info by following on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/xbox.
