Kinect With Kinect Adventures Product Details

Released on 10/11/2010

Kinect is the new way to play!

Using your body as the controller you’ll be able to steer your car, shoot the bad guys and fight your opponents in games designed specifically for Kinect. Kinect for the Xbox 360 frees your mind and hands and will give you an experience that has until now gamers have only dreamed of! Full in-game interaction games that aren't restricted by wires and control pads.

Kinect will allow you to use your body meaning you'll be able to get interactive with your games. But thats not all, Kinect will allow you to navigate through your films and media with the flick of your hand

• Controller-free gaming and entertainment. Kinect provides a whole new way to play — no controller required. It uses a sensor to track your body movement and recognize your face, even listen to your voice. If you know how to move your hands, shake your hips, or speak, you and your friends will be able to jump instantly into any Kinect experience.
• Full-body play. Kinect provides a new way to play where you use all parts of your body — head, hands, feet and torso. With controller-free gaming you don’t just control the superhero, you are the superhero. Full-body tracking allows the Kinect sensor to capture every move, from head to toe, to give players a full-body gaming experience.
• Personalized play. Kinect provides an in-game experience in which the player’s face and voice are recognized. Greet and speak to characters in the game, or simply step into view of the sensor to log into Xbox LIVE and connect with friends. Only Kinect is smart enough to remember voices and faces. Fun has never been so personalized.
• Off-the-couch play. Kinect provides gameplay that gets you off the couch, on your feet and in the fun. Each Kinect experience is designed to get players moving, laughing, cheering and playing together. Kinect makes social gaming off-the-couch fun.
• Easy-to-play fun. Kinect makes sharing in the fun a snap. Talk or watch a movie in the same living room or on the other side of the world — no headset, no keyboard and no controllers required. It’s just you, your friends, your family and a whole new way to play.

But that's all very well but how does Kinect take your movement and gestures and turn that into an intergral part of the game?

• Kinect sensor. Kinect is the world’s first system to combine an RGB camera, depth sensor, multiarray microphone and custom processor running proprietary software that brings Kinect experiences to every Xbox 360 console. The Kinect sensor tracks full-body movement and individual voices, creating controller-free fun and social entertainment available only on Xbox 360.
• RGB camera. Kinect has a video camera that delivers the three basic color components. As part of the Kinect sensor, the RGB camera helps enable facial recognition and more.
• Depth sensor. An infrared projector combined with a monochrome CMOS sensor allows Kinect to see the room in 3-D (as opposed to inferring the room from a 2-D image) under any lighting conditions.
• Multiarray microphone. Kinect has a microphone that will be able to locate voices by sound and extract ambient noise. The multiarray microphone will enable headset-free Xbox LIVE party chat and more.
• Custom processor (running Microsoft proprietary software layer). A proprietary software layer makes the magic of Kinect possible. This layer differentiates Kinect from any other technology on the market through its ability to enable human body recognition and extract other visual noise.
  

• "Hardcore" Kinect game on the way from Sega?

  "Hardcore" Kinect game on the way from Sega?

  Sega has announced that it?s working on a new game for Microsoft's Kinect camera controller, and promises that the title will be an "original" and "sophisticated" game that hardcore players will enjoy.

  Speaking to CVG, Sega West President Mike Hayes said that the new game should be coming out in late 2011, or early 2012, and will be produced by the company's UK development group. "They're sat with their test tubes and Bunsen burners and... using the new devices to see what we can do in an original way," Hayes said. "We've got one good idea and hopefully something will be out the back end of next year, perhaps early 2012, which we think will use the aspects of Kinect a lot more originally and in a more sophisticated way."

  Hayes predicted a bright future for Kinect, once developers have had a chance to get to grips with the potential of the new hardware. "My guess is when we're at E3 next year, more of the features of Kinect will be in use by developers... It is a reasonably complicated piece of kit, therefore it's going to take us longer to use all of those aspects in a game."

• Project Natal has a name: Kinect

  With hours to go before Microsoft's press event kicks off E3, Microsoft's glitzy Cirque de Soleil powered 'Experience' shindig confirmed that Project Natal, the Xbox 360 motion control add-on that turns your lounge into a controller, will be known as Kinect when it hits shelves later this year.

  A fair few games were shown for the body-waggling peripheral which are sure to excite hardcore gamers and Xbox newcomers alike.

  Expect more details on the booty-shakin' fun when Microsoft's full press conference unloads the fact cannon in our face this evening.

• Kinect line-up takes shape

  Kinect line-up takes shape

  With the PlayStation Move already selling light hotcakes, Microsoft's own motion-sensing peripheral Kinect is sure to make a big impact when it hits shelves around the world on November 10 - and now Konami and Hudson have dated most of their first wave of Kinect titles. Interested? Read on.

  First up is Konami's sure-fire party hit Dance Evolution: Kinect, which will be launched right alongside the Kinect camera on November 10. The publisher will also be launching CROSSBOARD 7 on the same day. Hudson, meanwhile, will follow up with Deca Sports Island Freedom on November 25 - and we're not even at Christmas yet.

  Dance Evolution: Kinect might be fairly self-explanatory, but what about the others? CROSSBOARD 7 "uses the player's movements to steer their on-screen creature who is barrelling down a series of hazard-strewn courses", according to Eurogamer, while Sports Island Freedom is a collection of sporting events especially designed for Microsoft's peripheral. Expect the likes of tennis, boxing, archery, beach volleyball, and dodge ball amongst others. Dodge ball? Best move the lampshade out of the way.

  Kinect hits stores on November 10, and we can't wait to bring you more news as it happens.
  

• Kinect warmly received by gaming press

  Kinect warmly received by gaming press

  The embargoes are up and so are the reviews: Kinect has arrived in the US and naturally the first appraisals are popping up in numerous publications and websites. And it's been a very positive response so far.

  Eurogamer describes the device as "an extraordinary piece of futuristic technology" and claims that "it's a wonderful family toy", while Cnet says it's "rollicking great fun". It's worth pointing out that you'll need a fair bit of space for it to work fully - around 8ft from your TV is highly recommended - but the overall impression is that Microsoft's device could be a bit of a game-changer.

  And talking of games, there's plenty of quality software launching alongside Kinect. The highlights seem to be Kinect Sports, Dance Central and Kinectimals, though there's also been plenty of praise for bundled title Kinect Adventures. "Dance Central will show you a really good time" gushes Eurogamer, while Joystiq describes Kinect Sports as "a must-have".

  The peripheral was officially launched at Times Square at midnight, with queues apparently winding around the block, and Microsoft's Don Mattrick handing out the first Kinect retail unit to one lucky (and dedicated) customer.
  Kinect releases across the UK and Europe in just six days' time. We can't wait!
  

• GAME HQ Kinect Preview!

  Formerly known as Project Natal, Kinect has been a bit of a mystery to us here at Game. But Microsoft put a stop to that today by allowing us to get hands-on (so to speak).

  The basics of Kinect are that it will let you play and navigate with out the need of a controller. Instead of slouching in a cheer you'll need to get up and active in order to play.

  We got to go head on with Kinect Joyride, Kinect Adventures and Kinect Sports. These were our impressions...

  
  

   

  Tom

  My Kinect playfest began with Joyride, a fun little driving game using your Xbox Avatar as the driver. To steer your car you hold your hands in the 10-2 position and steer like you would in a car (a bit like Mario Kart Wii, without the wheel!). You won't need to worry about accelerating as this is automatic, but you can boost by simply thrusting your hands forward and to send your car shooting into the screen.

  Drifting is also in Joyride, and just like steering it's easy. Just lean into the turn with your body whilst steering with your hands and your car will start to slide around the corner. There are also jumps to hit and whilst in the air by you'll be able to pull of some pretty awesome tricks with simple hand gestures.

  Next up was Kinect Adventures, which boasts several minigames that let youyou're your body to control the on-screen action.

  First up was the river rapids game, which saw me and my colleague, Chris, stood side-by-side as we navigated a perilous rapid river in a little rubber dingy. It's crucial to point out at this point that if you are playing cooperatively on Kinect Adventures, communication is key.

  To begin with we stepped independently and jumped at different times, which got us around some of the obstacles in our way but by the smallest of margins. It wasn't until we started yelling "LEFT" "RIGHT" and "JUMP" that we started to make good progress in missing obstacles and gaining greater height by jumping at the same time.

  We then tried a game in Kinect Adventures where we needed to duck, jump and sidestep obstacles whilst riding on a cart on tracks, which was pretty fun. Next we tried a game where we hit red balls at blocks, which broke revealing targets beneath them.

   

  Chris

  My time with Kinect proved to me that it's much better than I thought it would be.

  Kinect Joyride and the Bowling game in Kinect Sports were fun and the responsiveness was impressive. Navigating the menus by swishing your arms around is awesome as well, straight out of a sci-fi spaceship!

  My only concern is that the games I tried weren't quite enough to carry the device by themselves - but I'm sure more titles will arrive once developers get to grips with this incredibly clever piece of kit.

  All in all, I'm pleasantly surprised!

   

  Glenn

  There's no doubting Kinect is cool. I loved being able to move my hands and navigate a menu, or runnin and jumping about to watch my little avatar do the same!(that's right your Xbox avatar is you in the game, so seeing my little gear of war running around would be wicked!)

  Having one of your friends jump into the game just in time to push your raft round that rock in the rapids is a really nice feature, too; anyone who walks within the scope of the Kinect camera can jump in to the game and help you out!

  Kinect is a serious bit of kit, and I truly believe that in a couple of years when developers have had some time, to go all out, we will see some incredible titles and have some awesome fun!

   

   

  Mark

  The 2009 Xbox E3 conference had me whooping and hollering at my PC monitor, with Microsoft's sci-fi Kinect video and demonstrations hinting at an entirely new way to play games. As you can imagine, I was more than excited to finally get a go with what's being touted as the future of Xbox gaming!

  I started with the bowling game in Kinect Sports, which was even easier to play than the famous Wii Sports interation of Fred Flintstone's favourite pastime. With the camera swooped in behind my on-screen Avatar, I reached down to my right to make him pick up a ball, then held it in front of my head to aim, and, to my delight, got a strike on my first throw, with the Kinect camera managing to pick up the spin I naturally impart on a bowling ball in real life, and translate it to the screen in much the same way.

  Next up was a swift go on the athletics mode of Kinect Sports, which had my same Avatar running a hurdles race. For me, that meant running on the spot - the faster I did so, the faster my Avatar sprinted - and hopping up in the air when the upcoming on-screen hurdle turned green as I closed in on it. Luckily no actual hurdling skills were required!

  Obviously there's a big question mark about how Kinect will handle titles for 'core gamers', and the selection of games on show when Microsoft headed to GAME HQ was never going to answer that. What it did show us though was how responsive Kinect is to movement, which can only be a good thing; the crowds of people cheering and laughing as people jumped, bounced and yelped as Tom and Chris played on Kinect Adventures (and as I crashed through my fourth hurdle in a row... *sadface*) would attest to that.

  Put that together with some of the videos Microsoft have already shown and you start to build up a picture of the kind of experiences Kinect will offer. Can you imagine playing a first-person adventure game where you can walk in the spot to move, grab in-game items with your arms to solve puzzles, thrust your arms to slice a sword, and talk to characters using your actual voice?

  The possibilities are practically limitless.I am excited!

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

• GAME Midnight launch for Kinect

  Kinect for Xbox launched in the UK on 10th November, 2010.

  
  

  Microsoft invited us to experience the countdown to the launch of Kinect at the celebrity party on the evening of the 9th. Billed as 'the most anticipated and exciting launch in entertainment history' and hosted at London's Natural History Museum, the party featured presenter Kate Thornton with music from The Wanted and Leona Lewis, and skating for all those who were brave enough!

  The party was followed by a midnight launch at GAME stores across the UK.

  Find out what happened here.

   

• Gamescom 2010: Kinect dated, mobile gaming and a classic returns!

  Kinect - Released: 10/11/10

  Microsoft kick off Gamescom announcing that Kinect, there Controller free way of gaming will be launched November 10th! Kinect allows you to step into your games and makes the experience more interactive! Also Microsoft are preparing to unveil more information and features regarding Kinect and it's software as the now announced launch date of November 10th draws closer!

  Microsoft will also be unveiling the first selection of Xbox Live games to launch on the Window Phone 7! With Avatars, Achievements and friends being accessible in the palm of your hand.

  Also for those who love their PC gaming Microsoft are set to show the newest addition to the much loved "Age of Empires" in the form of "Age of Empires Online", which have something for the Age of Empires veterans and newcomers alike!

  Also at Gamescom are two of Microsoft's biggest titles for this year; Fable III and Halo Reach!
  

• Xbox enjoys biggest year ever in 2010

  Xbox 360 may have celebrated its fifth birthday in 2010, but according to Microsoft the console is going from strength to strength.
  
  The platform holder has revealed that the last 12 months was the biggest year ever for Xbox, with total sales of the high-definition console surging past 50 million worldwide.
  
  It means that the system has now doubled the total sales figure of the original Xbox.
  
  In the last 12 months, Xbox 360 has seen momentous exclusive launches such as the smash-hit Halo: Reach, while a redesigned version of the console with a sleek new look and built-in wi-fi has also been released.
  
  Moreover, November 2010 marked the debut of the revolutionary motion-sensing device Kinect, of which a massive eight million units have already been sold globally.
  
  A spokesperson from Microsoft said: "2010 was just the beginning. Stay tuned for more developments in the living room from Xbox and our partners in 2011."

  Published: 14/01/2011

• Michael Jackson: The Experience hits PS3 and Xbox 360 in April 2011

  Ubisoft has confirmed that the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 editions of Michael Jackson: The Experience will be released in April 2011.
  
  The music game - which has already proven a smash hit on Wii, DS and PSP - will arrive on the high-definition consoles offering full Kinect and PlayStation Move compatibility, as well as exclusive gameplay features.
  
  For example, the Xbox 360 version of the game will be the only one to support full-body movement tracking, while the PlayStation 3 edition includes an automatic Facebook feed that lets players share photos of themselves with their friends.
  
  To date, the currently available versions of Michael Jackson: The Experience have sold more than two million copies.
  
  The Wii edition allows players to sing and dance along to some of the King of Pop's greatest hits, including Billie Jean, Thriller, Earth Song and Smooth Criminal.
  
  Ubisoft stated that even more tracks will be available for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions, including Blood on the Dance Floor and I Just Can't Stop Loving You.

  Published: 07/01/2011

• Kinect sales pass eight million worldwide

  Hit motion-sensing Xbox 360 peripheral Kinect has rocketed past the eight million unit sales mark, obliterating Microsoft's expectations in the process.
  
  Speaking at the 2011 Consumer Electronics Show, the Xbox 360 platform holder revealed that the controller-free gaming device has passed the milestone figure in 60 days, easily surpassing its pre-release prediction of five million sales by this point.
  
  Kinect has been flying off the shelves since its November 2010 debut, with players worldwide proving keen to experience the novelty of controlling games using their body movements alone.
  
  The sophisticated device is able to track users' motions precisely in three dimensions and also offers facial and voice recognition, with new features set to be added over the course of the year.
  
  Microsoft's David Dennis said Kinect is a key part of the company's efforts to "continue to reinvent what you think of as the Xbox".
  
  2011 looks set to be another big year for Kinect, with high-profile titles such as Forza Motorsport 4 due to launch for the device in the next 12 months.

  Published: 07/01/2011

• Politicians play Kinect Sports at special gaming event

  Some of the UK's leading political figures have received a crash course in the joys of videogames at a special event held in the House of Commons last week.
  
  Gamers' Voice, a lobby group representing gaming fans across the country, was responsible for organising Parliamentary Games Day, which saw sixteen MPs meeting up with figures from the videogame industry to play some top titles.
  
  During the event, Conservative minister John Whittingdale and Liberal Democrat Don Foster duked it out in a high-energy Kinect Sports boxing match, while other MPs such as Ed Vaizey, Luciana Berger and Keith Vaz got stuck into various Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Wii games.
  
  The politicians were also able to have a chat with top British game designers such as Ian Livingstone and Jon Hare.
  
  Ms Berger later tweeted that Parliamentary Games Day was "the best event I've been to in parliament so far in 2011".
  
  Kinect Sports, developed by famous British studio Rare, has proven to be just as big a hit with UK gamers as it was with the MPs, as the title is the top-selling Kinect game released to date.

  Published: 17/01/2011

• Virtua Tennis 4 confirmed for Xbox 360 and Wii

  Sega has revealed that its forthcoming sports game Virtua Tennis 4 will be making its way to Xbox 360 and Wii as well as PlayStation 3.
  
  The publisher confirmed that Microsoft and Nintendo console owners will also get the chance to experience the latest instalment of the top-selling tennis series when it launches in spring 2011.
  
  Both versions will be optimised to support motion controls, which means that Xbox 360 owners with Kinect sensors will be able to unleash shots using their body movements alone.
  
  Virtua Tennis 4 is being developed by the original Japanese Virtua Tennis team and is set to introduce a World Tour career mode that offers a different experience each time, based on the decisions players make.
  
  It will also feature big-name stars such as Roger Federer, Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal.
  
  Sega's Gary Knight said: "Virtua Tennis 4 is going to be a massive push forward for the series."
  
  Tennis fans are to be spoiled for choice this year, as 2K Sports recently revealed that it will also be launching Top Spin 4 this March.

  Published: 21/01/2011

• Assassin's Creed Brotherhood heads BAFTA list

  It's more good news for Assassin's Creed fans after yesterday's revelation of a May announcement of the next game in the popular franchise. BAFTA has released its list of nominations for this year's videogame awards, and Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood has received the most nods of any game, featuring in a total of seven categories.

  
  It seems the members of the BAFTA panel were big fans of Ezio's latest adventure, as it scooped nominations for Action, Artistic Achievement, Gameplay, Multiplayer, Technical Innovation, Use of Audio, and the biggie: Best Game.

  
  In the latter category, Ubisoft's game faces some stiff competition from FIFA 11, Heavy Rain, LIMBO, Mass Effect 2 and Super Mario Galaxy 2. Call of Duty: Black Ops missed out in that category, but was nominated in six others. Mass Effect 2 also had six nods in total, with Sony's gritty thriller Heavy Rain picking up five, while Super Mario Galaxy 2 and indie darling LIMBO both got four. Surprisingly, Halo: Reach only featured in two categories: Multiplayer and Technical Innovation.

  
  Meanwhile, the mass-market success of Microsoft's Kinect ensured a strong showing in the the Family category, with nods for Dance Central, Kinect Adventures, Kinect Sports and Kinectimals. Flying the flag for more traditional control are LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4 and the terrific Toy Story 3.

  
  The winners will be announced at a ceremony on March 16, which will be streamed live on the BAFTA website.

• Kinect storms past the 10 million mark

  Wow. Everybody suspected that Microsoft's Kinect add-on, a camera peripheral that allows players to interact with their Xbox 360 without a controller, was going to be big, but who knew how big? The platform holder's just announced that 10 million Kinects have been sold around the world.

  That's not bad going at all, and according to Eurogamer, it gets better, as Guinness has just awarded Microsoft the title of astest selling consumer electronics device ever

  Apparently, Kinect sold an average of 133,333 units each day for the first 60 days it was available. "The sales figures here speak for themselves," said Gaz Deaves, who is the gaming editor for Guinness World Records. "According to independent research, no other consumer electronics device sold faster within a 60-day time span, which is an incredible achievement considering the strength of the sector."

  What about the games? With Kinect Adventures as a pack-in, and the likes of Kinect Sports and Dance Central providing all your goal-scoring and dancing needs, you're pretty well catered for. Things get really exciting later this year, though, when the beautiful Kinect shooter Child of Eden arrives.

• Kinect hack helps the blind

  You're probably aware that Microsoft's Kinect motion-sensing peripheral is a record-breaking triumph - according to Guinness, it's the fastest-selling peripheral ever - but did you know it might be able to help the blind?

  That's according to a Eurogamer report that suggests smart coders have created a software mod for the camera which helps partially-sighted and blind people navigate better.

  Originally uncovered by SlashGear, the mod's called NAVI (Navigational Aids for the Visually Impaired), and it was created by two university grad students named Michael Zollner and Stephan Huber. The gadget works by connecting a Kinect to a helmet, and plugging in into a laptop. The laptop in turn is connected to a Bluetooth headset and a ibratactilebelt.

  This means that the Kinect camera will be able to offer verbal and tactile warnings when the user comes up against an obstacle. A bit more clever coding sees the unit reading signs and offering directions. Not bad.

  It's a project in a university lab at the moment, but it's still nice to know that videogame technology can be useful as well as brilliant fun. Nice job!

• Googly Eyes latest addition to E3 Kinect line-up?

  Googly Eyes latest addition to E3 Kinect line-up?

  According to Eurogamer, next month E3 will be a great show for Kinect owners. It looks like Microsoft is planning to unveil at least 10 new Kinect titles, not counting sequels. The latest addition to the line-up? Kinect Googly Eyes.

  We have absolutely no idea what to expect from this one, although there are rumours going around that it could be a new game from Kinect Sports creator Rare. Googly Eyes won be alone, though, as it joining a line-up that also includes the likes of Hole in the Wall, Fruit Ninja Kinect, as well as Kinect Me and Kinect Lab. Some of those games are pretty self-explanatory, but for the low-down on the rest wel have to wait until the first week in June.

  On top of all that, internet sleuth Superannuation has dug up some CVs suggesting that the Spanish developer Virtual Toy is also working on a Kinect title. Once again, wee no idea what this could be, but it all good news for anyone who picked up Microsoft motion-sensing peripheral. And with 10 million Kinects sold, that probably quite a lot of you!

• Kinect getting even more accurate?

  Eurogamer has a fascinating report up about Microsoft Kinect motion-sensing peripheral. It turns out that it even more accurate now than it was when it launched!

  The news comes from Xbox senior product manager David Dennis, who said that some of the software the team demoed at this year E3 showcased the peripherals new sensitivity.

  "Yeah," said Dennis. "I think like we showed at E3, like Kudo showed with Kinect Fun Labs a lot of that tech is the advancements we've made in the accuracy, the tracking... being able to show finger tracking in the sparkles demo he did. You saw too with Ubisoft's gunsmith demo [for Ghost Recon: Future Soldier] he was using his hand to fire in the firing range mode. I think that's the kind of thing we're going to continue to iterate on."

  The tech not getting more accurate by magic, of course: Microsoft got internal teams working on it and updating the software regularly. If youe one of the 10 million Kinect owners out there, youe probably downloaded some of the updates when youe loaded up games. If you aren one of the 10 million Kinect owners, what are you waiting for?

• The Gunstringer gets a release date and free bonus game

  Microsoft has announced a September 12th release date for The Gunstringer, the first boxed Kinect game from Twisted Pixel, the barking mad indie developer famous for XBLA title 'Splosion Man.

  In the game, you'll control a skeletal cowboy marionette as he embarks on a campaign of comedic vengeance through whimsical hand-stitched shooting stages. Movement is controlled by your left hand, while your right makes a gun shape for the shooty-shoot bits. So, yes, you fire your weapon by making a finger gun, just like in infant school. The addition of ew pewsound effects will be at your own discretion.

  The game will also come with a bonus add-on, The Wavy Tube Man Chronicles, and a completely separate free game Fruit Ninja, the Kinect-enabled food chopping party game adapted from the popular iPhone hit.

  The Gunstringer will offer all this gaming fun for the not unreasonable sum of just 9.99, no strings attached. Except for the ones on the main character, obviously.

• Cool Kinect features for Halo Anniversary

  Frank O'Connor, the man who looks after the Halo series for Microsoft, has spoken up to clarify some of the confusion surrounding the Kinect features in Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary.

  Of course, larifydoesn't mean he's explained exactly what the features will be that would be madness, clearly but in an interview with Official Xbox Magazine he has promised that they'll be ooland that they won't interfere with the classic Halo gameplay.

  Having said that, he went on: "I don't think it's going to be something that people need to be hyper-excited about...I don't want to downplay it, but I think of it like this - I use voice on Netflix and it's awesome, and that's what this'll be. Something that enhances you overall experience."

  Anniversary developer 343 Industries backed up O' Connor's assessment, with a posting on their forum declaring he Kinect features we're exploring with Halo: Anniversary are optional and won't affect your core gameplay experience."

  So, voice commands then? The chance to scream at Guilty Spark and tell it to shut up? We'll have to wait and see. Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary, a tweaked and HD-sexy remake of the original 2001 Halo game, rockets onto Xbox 360 on November 15th.

• EA's Peter Moore defends Wii U

  The COO of Electronic Arts has come out in defence of Nintendo's new console, declaring its tablet-style control to be more important to future gaming than graphical perfection.

  Speaking in an interview with Industry Gamers, Peter Moore pointed to EA's own upcoming blockbuster Battlefield 3 as an example of how little room for improvement there is where visuals are concerned. ow much better could this stuff look at some point? There a point of diminishing returns. I don even know if there anything better than 1080p./p>

  And if Moore's predictions are accurate, expect future games consoles to concentrate more on control and community features rather than how many polygons they can throw at your face.

  ow it about interfaces...Youe seen that with Move, youe seen it with Wii MotionPlus more recently, and youe certainly seen it with Kinect he said. don know what Xbox and PlayStation plans for their next platforms are, but it not going to be hanging on graphic fidelity. I guarantee you that./p>

  The Wii U is set for release worldwide in 2012.

• Mass Effect 3 marks the end of Commander Shepard

  Fans of Bioware's epic sci-fi RPG trilogy Mass Effect should prepare to shed a single noble tear: the developer has confirmed that the upcoming Mass Effect 3 will be the last we see of Commander Shepard, the malleable avatar that we've all been following since 2007.

  "After this, Commander Shepard's story is complete", producer Michael Gamble told PC Gamer while discussing where the series will go next. Don't be too sad, however, as there's a very good chance that more games set in Mass Effect's rich universe will follow.

  In an earlier interview with PC Gamer, Bioware boss man Ray Mazuka promised: "We have ambitious plans to continue this franchise going forward. Mass Effect 3 is simultaneously a couple of different things; a thrilling and epic conclusion to the trilogy as we promised our fans we'd provide for Commander Shepard, but it's also a brand new beginning it's an entry point for new fans and it's also a brand new beginning."

  Mass Effect 3 not only brings the Reaper storyline to a close, but will also include a four-player co-op mode and Kinect voice commands for Xbox 360 players. It's due to arrive early in 2012 on Xbox 360, PS3 and PC.<

• Forza Motorsport 4 to feature Halo's Warthog

  Forza Motorsport 4 is to offer a special treat for Halo fans with the inclusion of the sci-fi shooter series' iconic Warthog.

  The gun-mounted all-terrain vehicle will be among the model on display in the new Xbox 360 racer's Autovista mode, which gives players a virtual tour of some of the world's most stylish cars.

  It means Halo lovers will be able to walk around and interact with the Warthog as though it were right in front of them, learning more about its specifications and features.

  To sweeten the deal further, the Warthog featured in the game will be a new model from the upcoming Halo 4, while the experience will be narrated by Cortana, Master Chief's popular AI companion from the classic games.

  Forza Motorsport 4 will launch in the UK next month and will feature hundreds of meticulously detailed cars from more than 80 manufacturers.

  It will also feature support for Kinect, increasing the immersion offered by Autovista mode even further and making it seem like players truly are interacting with vehicles such as the Warthog.

  Published: 02/09/2011

• Sesame Street: Once Upon a Monster out now for Kinect

  Sesame Street: Once Upon a Monster out now for Kinect

  Warner Bros Interactive has reminded Xbox 360 owners that its new family-friendly Kinect game Sesame Street: Once Upon a Monster is out now in UK stores.

  The new title presents a whimsical and charming storybook-style adventure starring some of the most beloved characters from the iconic children's TV show, including Cookie Monster and Elmo.

  By running, jumping and dancing, young gamers can interact with a world of loveable monsters, making new friendships while learning life skills in classic Sesame Street style.

  It features drop-in, drop-out cooperative gameplay that makes it perfect for parents and their kids to enjoy together.

  Once Upon a Monster is developed by the acclaimed Double Fine Productions, led by legendary designer Tim Schafer, who said he has been promising this title to his daughter for some time.

  "I'm very grateful to Warner Bros, Sesame Workshop and the extremely dedicated team behind Sesame Street: Once Upon a Monster for helping me make good on that promise to her," he said.

  Published: 14/10/2011

• Microsoft details Kinect features for Halo: Anniversary

  Microsoft details Kinect features for Halo: Anniversary

  Microsoft has provided Xbox 360 gamers with details of what to expect from the Kinect functionality included in the upcoming Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary.

  During a presentation at the New York Comic Convention, it was revealed that the revamped version of the classic Halo: Combat Evolved will feature voice control options across its many modes.

  Players will be able to use spoken commands to reload their weapons and hurl grenades, as well as to toggle between the classic Xbox graphics and the remastered visuals of the Xbox 360 anniversary edition.

  The game will also introduce a new Analyse feature, which allows gamers to use the voice command "scan" to gather data on the different characters, vehicles and environments they will encounter.

  This information will be saved to a comprehensive index called the Library, which can be navigated using gesture controls.

  Halo: Anniversary is coming next month.

  Published: 17/10/2011

• Kinect for the Core

  When Kinect was launched with titles such as Kinect Adventures and Kinect Joyride, some thought Microsoft's new motion control technology had abandoned the hardcore gamer, but all along the developers were thinking about you.
  
  There are two types of Kinect games. Some can only use Kinect to work, they are controlled purely by it's motion control and voice recognition interface, and can't use a controller. There are other Xbox 360 games that can use Kinect to enhance the game-play with the additional features that Kinect offers.
  
  Below we have a selection of games that are compatible with Kinect and are excellent examples of how Kinect can improve the world for the Core gamer.

  

  Child of Eden

  
  Offering a magical experience, Child of Eden is a game for the senses . Using elegant game-play mechanics to create a hugely immersive, first-person shooter. When you shoot, the music and the world around you shifts, the whole game ripples with gameplay. More than a game ,Child of Eden is an experience and can be done justice with words, an incredible title that needs to be played to be believed.

  

  Ghost Recon Future Soldier

  
  You are a ghost. The first, first-person shooter that allows you to operate solely with Kinect. Reload, zoom and fire with simple gestures. Bring down your enemies in a hail of bullets with a flick of your hand. Navigate the menu customise your weapons with voice control and hand gestures. Is it perfect? Well, wel let you be the judge of that!

  

  Mass Effect 3

  
  No messing around here this is a definitive hardcore Game. Mass Effect 3 is great example of how Kinect can enhance the gameplay of real games in a way that other consoles can currently compete with. Taking advantage of Kinect advanced voice software you can control your squad in combat with commands, giving yourself that extra edge. When out of combat, the same software allows you to take control in conversations so you need never click for your response again. If you have to save the universe, do it in style,and do it with Kinect.

  

  Forza Motorsport 4

  
  Forza 4 has Kinect integration in almost every area of the game. If you love cars, then the auto vista is for you, exploring every feature of the car with your hands, with Jeremy Clarkson providing a detailed voiceover. When racing, Kinect tracks your movement, enabling you to check your mirrors with a gentle turn of your head. It even allows you to steer the car using Kinect, putting you more firmly in the drivers seat than ever before.

  

  Rise of Nightmares

  
  Created by the guy behind, the classic, House of the Dead, this is clearly not a title for your mum! It gritty, it bloody, it full of zombies and you will die all the time. . . Either by being ripped apart by the hordes of undead or sliced in half by deadly traps, Rise of Nightmares is not a game for the faint hearted. You are the controller, so hold onto your limbs.

  

  UFC Trainer

  UFC Trainer takes fitness games to the next level, there is nothing family friendly about this. Certified by UFC, you know the experience is going to be intense. Build a routine that is right for you, get the benefits and see the results. Using the same techniques as some of the most tough, disciplined men in the world. So if you want to build up your strength, get fit or lose weight, UFC Trainer is the hardcore game for you.

  Final Word

  
  The games on this page are a but a few of the incredible range of games that Kinect can improve. With more coming out all the time, Kinect is soon to become an essential accessory for every gamer.

  Published: 23/11/2011

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