Microsoft has put an end to months of speculation by revealing that "Project Natal", its motion-based control device for Xbox 360, will be called Kinect.
The motion-sensing marvel - which is capable of tracking 48 points of motion on gamers' bodies - was given its official christening at a high-profile event which saw the acrobats of Cirque du Soleil put Kinect through its paces.
When it hits stores at the end of the year, Kinect will allow players to literally become the controller of various games, using their gestures, facial expressions and voices to manipulate the in-game action.
Mike Delman, corporate vice president of global marketing for the Microsoft's interactive entertainment business, expressed confidence that the device will make Xbox 360 more popular and accessible than ever.
He said: "Kinect makes the gaming and entertainment experience more organic and free-flowing, without any of the barriers that can sometimes keep people from participating."
It is set to be a momentous 2010 for motion-controlled gaming, with Sony also planning to launch its own gesture-based control unit PlayStation Move on PlayStation 3 later this year.