Microsoft have announced that their much-anticipated motion control platform, Kinect, will be available bundled with the new Xbox 360 4GB model for €299.99 when it launches on November 10. Irish gamers can also pick up the Kinect console-free for €149.99
Microsoft’s motion platform is to launch with a bunch of Kinect exclusive games, including Kinect Adventures, Kinect Sports, Kinectimals and Kinect Joy Ride. In all, fifteen launch titles are planned for the platform, including developer Harmonix’s (Rock Band) Dance Central, a controller-free dance simulator which mimics players on-screen dance moves.
Kinect – previously known as Project Natal – uses a camera, connected to an Xbox 360 games console, that tracks the movement of players. Unlike Nintendo’s Wii and Sony’s forthcoming Playstation Move system, Kinect can plot this movement, and translate it in to on-screen actions, without the need for a controller. The camera also recognise gesture-based controls to operate the Xbox’s media functions.
Chris Lewis, vice president of interactive entertainment business at Microsoft Europe is confident that Kinect can help ensure a bumper Christmas for the US giants:
“When you look at what we are bringing to the market this year, with the magic of Kinect, alongside our blockbuster line-up of games, including the biggest game for 2010, Halo: Reach, we’re confident that Xbox 360 has something for all the family and will be the gaming and entertainment console of 2010 and beyond.â€
Microsoft have said they will showcase more of Kinect at this week’s Gamescom 2010 in Cologne, Germany, which runs from August 19-22.
