News - Microsoft unveils Kinect for Xbox 360

[HEXUS]

Project Natal gets a name.

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[bradyjames]

It will be good to find out a confirmed release date for this - hopefully MS will let us know at E3. I would expect this to be offered as an upgrade to existing systems, but also as a bundle with new systems. With that in mind, I wonder how many people will hold off buying a 360 until it comes out. If it works as well as I hope, it will make the 360 a very compelling product, but the proof will be in the pudding.

[[GSV]Trig]

I dont think it'll replace the Wii though...

[bradyjames]

I dont think it'll replace the Wii though...

I think all three major consoles are pretty well established now and adding the capabilities of Kinnect to the 360 won't stop the others being succesful but it will certainly broaden the appeal of the 360. But it will require a good execution in terms of hardware and also games that take advantage of the technology.

[Brewster0101]

I dont think it'll replace the Wii though...

Ninetendo have seen sales of the Wii drop alot over the last 12 months. The Wii does not have the raw power to compete with the PS3, 360 or PC in the gaming world anymore - and the public have noticed the limitations of the Wii. There are two selling points to a Wii, 1 - Nintendo games, 2 - Motion sensor controllers.

There are only so many variants of Nintendo games (Mario, Donkey Dong etc) that people are willing to play , and the Wii has exhausted these quite well.
The motion sensor control is all very good, but the Xbox is now taking this technology and applying it a machine which offers alot more options because of its power.

The Nintendo Wii's days are numbered, just like the N64 and cube - it will be the first of this generation of consoles to fall and fall quite a bit before the others are replaced.

The wii has enjoyed a good spurt of life and has paved the way to how people interact with consoles. but it was never a powerful machine and never going to keep pace with the 360 or PS3.

[Saracen]

I'm not so sure about that analysis of the demise of the Wii. I think it appeals to a different type of gamer, and for different reasons. It's more targeted at family and fun that at the more serious or hardcore gamer. Sure, there's an overlap, but there's differentiation too.

As for "Kinect", I'm in wait 'n' see mode right now. I'm waiting on :-

- price
- reviews of effectiveness ... just how good is it, or how good is it not?
- the level of gaming support it has, both on release and over time.

I'll buy (assuming it's available as an upgrade, not just as a new system) ... if the price is right, and if there is either a broad enough range of supported games, or a "killer" game that justifies it on it's own. But if they price it too high, I might just get a Wii instead.

[crossy]

I'm not so sure about that analysis of the demise of the Wii. I think it appeals to a different type of gamer, and for different reasons. It's more targeted at family and fun that at the more serious or hardcore gamer. Sure, there's an overlap, but there's differentiation too.

I really can't see this being a "Wii killer" - there's still plenty of stuff that suits the Wiimote (with/without MotionPlus) better, and there's the small matter of the games ... Wii games tend to be funky multiplayer stuff (ideal for parties) whereas I'd argue that despite stuff like Viva Pinata that the XBox is still slanted towards the hardcore gamer.

As for "Kinect", I'm in wait 'n' see mode right now. I'm waiting on :-
- price
- reviews of effectiveness ... just how good is it, or how good is it not?
- the level of gaming support it has, both on release and over time.

Gen on the net at the moment is that there will be five titles available on launch (one of which is FableIII, and another is some StarWars title). Like you, price is a big deal for me - if it's £50 then I'll definitely buy it; £90 probably buy it; £150 possibly buy it; £190+ (which has been quoted) then I'll definitely keep my cash in my pocket.

I'll buy (assuming it's available as an upgrade, not just as a new system) ... if the price is right, and if there is either a broad enough range of supported games, or a "killer" game that justifies it on it's own. But if they price it too high, I might just get a Wii instead.

It's definitely an upgrade not a new system - GAME are taking preorders for deposits now, (although I'd be concerned that the deposit is non-refundable - supposing it's too expensive?). There has been some discussion as to whether Kinect is wired (USB) or wireless (effectively another XBox controller with battery pack etc).

My other concern is whether it'll work just as well for those of us who don't have the XBox in a huge, clear living room. All the publicity shots show a "show house" type layout, which I'm willing to bet is not the case for the majority of us! I certainly don't have the space for leaping around and wild arm gestures.

PS. "Kinect" is not a name I like, I preferred the old "Natal" monika better.

Bob

[Saracen]

..... Like you, price is a big deal for me - if it's £50 then I'll definitely buy it; £90 probably buy it; £150 possibly buy it; £190+ (which has been quoted) then I'll definitely keep my cash in my pocket.
....

Like you, at £50 it's a "yes" for me provided reviews show it to be effective. But for me, at £90 it's a "maybe, just possibly maybe".

At £150, let alone £190, my view is that it ought to have been called the "'Kin'ell", because that's what a lot of people will say if it comes out at that price .... "'kin' 'ell, that's expensive.

[doddsy]

I've already pre-ordered it, blockbuster have priced it at £129.99. I don't think that's too bad; IF it's good.

[Saracen]

Each to his own, I guess, but there's no way I'd pay that.

[Fraz]

Anyone else notice in the video that the on-screen characters start moving before the person "controlling" them...

[doddsy]

Each to his own, I guess, but there's no way I'd pay that.

Yeah I possibly have more money than sense. That's saying something though as I don't really have than much money....

[Saracen]

Yeah I possibly have more money than sense. That's saying something though as I don't really have than much money....

It's also about how much it'd get used. I am not a heavy gamer. Not these days, anyway. So for me, paying almost as much for the Kinect as I did for the XB360 is a non-starter.

[crossy]

Like you, at £50 it's a "yes" for me provided reviews show it to be effective. But for me, at £90 it's a "maybe, just possibly maybe".

Yes, I'm kind of concerned that it's too heavily based on visuals. I used to use EyeToy on the PS2 and it worked fine - until we put a small pendulum wallclock in the same room. After that, EyeToy seemed to be confused by the movement behind the player. I remember seeing (somewhere) that Natal/Kinect has ultrasonic sensors too - hopefully this'll make it more reliable.

At £150, let alone £190, my view is that it ought to have been called the "'Kin'ell", because that's what a lot of people will say if it comes out at that price .... "'kin' 'ell, that's expensive.

That was my thinking too - £190 is the local price for an "Elite" - and I figure that having an accessory that's at that price is silly. The £90 "definitely" for me was chosen because it's the same as two full-price games. If, as Hexuser "doddsy", is saying that it's £129 then I think I'd have to see what the bundle, machine requirements, etc are going to be.

Speaking of software, I see that Play's advertising 11 games for Kinect - okay most are the usual fitness stuff, but Forza's there too - that could be interesting to see.

Bob