Microsoft unleashed a whole new era of gaming during their E3 press conference earlier this week, showcasing a new way to play video games using Kinect for Xbox 360, where the controller is you. Simply step in front of the sensor and Kinect will instantly recognize you and respond to your body movements and gestures. Absolutely no controller is required to use Kinect, it's intuitive and feels natural, it's as easy as moving as you do in real life.
Using Kinect, actions you perform will translate into on-screen movements during play. If you're playing a driving game, hold your hands out like you're gripping a steering wheel; if you're playing a bowling game, arc your hand back-to-front and release. No matter what you're playing, Kinect's goal is to remove the barriers to gaming and create an experience everyone can get into and enjoy, regardless of age or experience.
Kinect for Xbox 360 will be launching on November 4, 2010, and 15 titles will be available at launch. Interestingly enough, no price point for Kinect has been given by Microsoft.
Let's take a peak at the official descriptions of the games Microsoft is readying for Kinect's launch in less than five months time:
Kinect Adventures will get you off the couch and into the game in a whole new way. You and your friends and family will jump, dodge, and kick your way through 20 of pulse-pounding adventures set in exotic locations. Work together as you navigate through roaring rapids, challenge obstacle courses or save a leaky underwater laboratory. Show off and share your accomplishments online with Photo Moments and Living Statues.
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. Kinectimals invites children, their parents and animal lovers of all ages to build lasting friendships with some of the world’s most exotic creatures. Just like real pets, your Kinectimals will come running when they hear your voice, respond to commands like “jump,” “roll-over” and “play dead,” and purr with joy when you scratch them behind the ears.
Kinect Joy Ride, the first controller-free racing game, will take you and your friends on the ride of your lives. Kinect Joy Ride reinvents driving and Kart racing by adding massive jumps and full body stunts to the classic Kart racing action. With a host of cool features and game modes you can take off for the ride of your life by yourself, pick up a co-pilot or team up with your friends and family to take on the world.
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. 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.
Kinect for Xbox 360 is also getting a heavy dose of third-party support at launch including the following 11 titles:
- Dance Central (MTV Games)
- Your Shape: Fitness Evolved (Ubisoft)
- EA Sports Active 2 (EA)
- Deca Sports Freedom (Hudson)
- Dance Masters (Konami)
- Adrenalin Misfits (Konami)
- Zumba Fitness (Majesco)
- Sonic Free Riders (Sega)
- The Biggest Loser: Ultimate Workout (THQ)
- Motion Sports (Ubisoft)
- Game Party: In Motion (Warner Bros.)
Moving into 2011, Microsoft and LucasArts have announced an all-new Star Wars game where players where use their arms to hold a lightsaber and do battle. Disney has also teased a new Kinect video game, though we don't know much about what they are working on. At the Kinect Experience event in LA on Monday, Disney's presentation included the Disney Castle and showed Tinkerbell flying through a circuit of screens in the rafters. Take from that what you will, it's likely either a teaser for a Tinkerbell fronted game or Disney's way of buying time while they put together a more substantial trailer.
Kinect for Xbox 360 sure made a splash appearance at E3. Expect lots more information on these games and more in the months leading up the device's launch.
For images of the four Microsoft published Kinect games showcased in this article, see below.
Kinect Image Gallery (Microsoft Game Studios games)
Kinect Adventures:
Kinectimals:
Kinect Joy Ride:
Kinect Sports:
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