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Kinect: What You Need to Know

Giancarlo Varanini
By Giancarlo Varanini, Senior Editor

Find out all the latest information on Microsoft's forthcoming motion-control system.

For Microsoft, E3 2010 was an opportunity to name and reveal the final version of its take on motion controls. It's called Kinect (formerly Project Natal), and unlike the motion-control system from Nintendo and Sony, it doesn't use any sort of controller. The Kinect camera technology detects and tracks your full body and corresponding movements, so when players swing their hands or kick their feet, the games that support Kinect read these movements and translate them into in-game actions. For example, in the game Kinect Adventures, you physically have to lean left or right to guide a raft down the roaring rapids of a river. In the bowling game found in Kinect Sports, players simply perform the bowling motion as they would in real life and Kinect will do the rest.

The Kinect has a self-contained camera and microphone.

The Kinect has a self-contained camera and microphone.

What makes Kinect even more interesting is that its functionality extends beyond games and into the Xbox 360 dashboard. Kinect users can tell the Xbox 360 (thanks to a built-in microphone in Kinect) to perform various actions, whether it's pausing a movie or initiating a video chat with a friend. Additionally, users can navigate through menus by simply placing their hand in the air to a corresponding object onscreen.

Of course, with the motion-control systems found on the Wii and PlayStation 3, there's some calibration involved. With Kinect, we've seen games where players are prompted to stand in a specific spot for a few seconds while the camera retrieves general information about your position, but in a lot of cases, we've also seen players jump in and out instantly without the need for the camera to stop gameplay for calibration reasons.

Kinect is currently scheduled for release on November 4, 2010, in North America with a worldwide release before the end of the year, but neither an official price nor bundle options have been announced. Be sure to check out the highlights of GameSpot's E3 2010 Kinect coverage by following the links below.

The Games

  • Child of Eden
    • The spiritual successor to Rez features slick visuals and a pumping soundtrack.
  • Kinectimals
    • Having a virtual pet tiger is so much easier than having a real one.
  • Star Wars Kinect (tentative title)
    • Become a Jedi and use the power of the Force, as well as your trusty lightsaber to battle Imperial forces.
  • Kinect Sports
    • Head to the beach to play some volleyball or hit the lanes for some bowling in this compilation that features several sports.
  • Forza Motorsport Preview
    • Race to the finish with a Kinect-enabled version of the popular racing game.
  • Kinect Joy Ride
    • Get your Xbox 360 avatars on the track for some over-the-top racing.
  • Dance Central
    • Learn some new dance moves in this new rhythm game from the creators of Rock Band.
  • Your Shape: Fitness Evolved
    • The fitness game returns with an all-new approach designed specifically for Kinect.
  • Kinect Adventures
    • Jump and dodge obstacles while riding a flatbed railcar or float down some river rapids and more in this collection of action-oriented minigames.
  • Motion Sports
    • Ubisoft enters the arena with this compilation of minigames based on professional sports.
  • EA Sports Active 2.0
    • The popular workout game is coming to the Xbox 360 with activities designed to help you slim down with the help of Kinect.
  • Sonic Freeriders
    • Sonic is back, but now you can move him and his furry friends with your own body.

Movies

Giancarlo Varanini
By Giancarlo Varanini, Senior Editor

I am error.

435 Comments

  • BigRedGuy95

    Posted Jul 14, 2010 9:54 am GMT

    nice I need this

  • assasin887

    Posted Jul 11, 2010 4:40 pm GMT

    maybe this thing will be really good in the future, and im certainly trying to find out how ufc trainers gonna work, too.

  • frodo10

    Posted Jul 9, 2010 4:15 am GMT

    just seems like microsoft are trying to appeal to the entire family like the wii's already done, another whats with all the negative comments to people who are simply pointing out the truth that microsoft are stealing ideas, i love my xbox but honest to god microsoft are a joke sometimes i wish they would focus on improving the original xbox instead of this lame attempt, thats all id wish theyd do for E3 instead of trying to rip off nintendos inventions

  • SunOfAtom

    Posted Jul 8, 2010 5:55 am GMT

    'In the bowling game found in Kinect Sports, players simply perform the bowling motion as they would in real life and Kinect will do the rest.'

    Couldn't you just call some friends and, y'know, go bowling instead?

  • WRXRated

    Posted Jul 7, 2010 9:05 pm GMT

    hmmm, can you say 'gimmick?'

  • UK5T0N3

    Posted Jul 7, 2010 3:19 pm GMT

    This looks interesting but I've never seen a motion system (controller or camera) that's been any good (only my opinion) so I think I'll pass.

  • dem5000

    Posted Jul 7, 2010 9:50 am GMT

    @shadowolf612-I did not buy the overpriced hard drive. I figured out a way around it. And how can you not get mad at an evil company for charging 3X what something is worth? The only thing I'm stupid for is assuming that a "next gen" console would have wi-fi built in! Next gen my a$$! Microsoft was founded on stealing ideas, taking credit, and overcharging for it and that is the only thing they are good at.

  • massivebollocks

    Posted Jul 6, 2010 1:26 pm GMT

    Aww, look at my many fans. lol. Firstly, Rizion89, fair point but I won't be nipping in to any board meetings with a comment card any time soon as regrettably I don't work for Microsoft. ratiugo1 I wasn't saying it didn't need to be more precise I was merely saying that they had time before release to make it so. theatticusera please see gavinevans1989's comment. I wasn't up enough to need to calm down. lol. The comments first of all were of a typical banter joke-like form so no need for getting any panties in a twist over it anyone. As it foes if the price were to go up but along with the quality of the product then yes, yes I would buy it. That is all. lol. Cheer up guys, it's only a thread to create discussion... happy gaming....

  • GavinEvans1989

    Posted Jul 5, 2010 11:44 am GMT

    @theatticusera Sony is only a part of the BRDA the made blu-ray

    Kinect looks ace and think of the possibilities of it in minority report tom cruse had to use a glove to interact with the interface here is a system that shows that even the imaging’s of sci-fi are being surpassed, can not wait to see how far the interfacing system can go.......

  • theatticusera

    Posted Jul 3, 2010 8:37 am GMT

    @massivebollocks Yup i'm afrad sony do "own" Blu Ray as they created it. The companies that make blu ray players are allowed by sony to do so. and calm down for f**ks sake. Its only a toy

  • ratiugo1

    Posted Jul 2, 2010 2:54 pm GMT

    @massivebollocks

    Kinect actually does need to be more precise to play any shooters like MW2. It lags about 3 frames, which is barely noticeable, but games like MW2 have a lag of less than 1 frame. Therefore, it cannot play games like that unless they upgrade the Kinect, which would add about $150 to the price tag. No one would buy that then.

  • Rizion89

    Posted Jul 1, 2010 1:23 pm GMT

    @massivebollocks

    They own the exclusive rights to using blu ray on a game console, "mate". This is all due to Microsoft wanting to back the HD DVD format from a few years ago and refusing to join the Blu-ray Disc Accociation in which Sony is a founding member. Call me behind the times? Go tell that to Microsoft. They're the ones who refuse to back the current HD format and are releasing a motion sensor first made by Playstation a few years ago.

  • massivebollocks

    Posted Jul 1, 2010 3:22 am GMT

    @Rizion89 - Sony OWN blu-ray? What? Completely? So there are no other blu-ray players made by any other companies in the entire world?? Best tell Panasonic, Samsung and all the rest of the companies then. Thieving bar stewards. Also for anyone that thinks that Kinect needs to be "more precise" etc then wait, why do you think it's coming out in November? For s**ts and giggles? No, tinker-time dumb ass! Too many PS3 fan boys having a dig cos the PS3's behind. Fail! SauhlGood? Get with technology mate. If you're not getting it anyway cos you've got a George Foreman Grill/Dust Collector/Paraplegic Spastic 3 then why are you even commenting?

  • Morf_uni

    Posted Jun 30, 2010 3:19 pm GMT

    @TeenageTurtle Let me just start off by quoting you: "your not very bright at all and are blinded by technology".

    Now, do you really think all technology which does not contribute to our health shouldn't be here? Oh no, people are having fun! SHOOT THEM!

    You need to wake up and realize this is 2010. We should improve ourselves but not technology? Dude you got it aaaaaall wrong. We improve ourselves trough the use of TECHNOLOGY.

    And another fun quote from you: "Humans are weak, because of pointless technology". Right, we are all weaklings, is that what you're saying? Humans are as strong as they ever were. We live longer, we eat healthier (least some of us) and we have more cures for different viruses than ever before.

    You are the one missing the point. The point is, humans will always try to become better, faster, stronger (sing along people). technology is one of the ways we do that. Now if you don't like entertaining media, then please just leave.

    Oh and Albert Einstein where one who believed that humans could become better and live better lives trough use of technology. Don't quote somebody who stands for something you apparently are against.

    If you think we're becoming more lazy, then maybe you should try get out of your lil village and see the world. Not everybody is sitting on their butt all day.

  • ebookerd1

    Posted Jun 30, 2010 12:17 pm GMT

    I can picture playing an game, with the controller, physically ducking, and the the game responding. GOW3 would be crazy if you could do that!!!

  • ebookerd1

    Posted Jun 30, 2010 12:13 pm GMT

    I am curious about the device specs but I guess that is too geeky for most of the people here?

  • TeenageTurtle

    Posted Jun 30, 2010 11:02 am GMT

    @morf_uni, @Fusco1980, Your not seeing my point, if we didn't have technology in the first place, then we would hopefully want to go out and so we would become much healthier.

    I hate most companies that are like Microsoft, because they're all greedy, if they knew what everyone really needs, we wouldn't be in such a mess, if you can't see that, then I'm sorry, but your not very bright at all and are blinded by technology. In the world that I would like to be part of, all the technology that doesn't make our life healthier, should go, or become a mere distraction, and we should not spend so much time and money on these distractive technologies, people are spending billions on games and movies and then others ask for money to help those who don't have enough, and they wonder why they don't get help, everyone's money is being used for all the wrong reasons, and we should be wanting to be more active, not constantly finding new ways to be more convenient and therefore becoming more and more lazy, life isn't meant to be easy, and just because you may be able to find an easier way to do something, it doesn't mean that you should, life is a challenge or a quest with a series of opportunities, whatever you want, but at the moment, we Humans are weak, because of pointless technology, we should be improving ourselves, not technology, as Albert Einstein said "Our technology has exceeded our Humanity", he may have been from a different time, but his words are still true, for now.

  • icekids posted Jun 27, 2010 3:13 pm GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    icekids

    Posted Jun 27, 2010 3:13 pm GMT (hide)

    Kinect will send many children to the hospital, because children will think they can play with Tiger, when they come to the Zoo will be bothered to move his hand to the head of a Tiger ^_^

  • southwardraptor

    Posted Jun 27, 2010 1:10 pm GMT

    I can see its potential and Microsoft's reasons for developing it but im probably just gonna use it to browse the dashboard.

  • pjordan0404

    Posted Jun 27, 2010 11:17 am GMT

    I wasnt really impressed with kinect mostly i did not feel like u could move freely around the environment but it might be a step in the right difrection for movement controls but kinect might not be what we are looking for