Project Natal renamed Kinect, due in November

[UPDATE] E3 2010: Xbox 360 motion-sensing system to come with fitness games "built into it"; Disney and Star Wars games teased, Wii Sports-like minigame compilation, pet simulator, dance game, and rafting adventure title en route.

LOS ANGELES--Just over one year after it unveiled Project Natal to the public at last year's Electronic Entertainment Expo, Microsoft has given it a name. Tonight at a star-studded "world premiere" event featuring the French-Canadian circus troupe Cirque du Soleil, the software giant rechristened its camera-based motion-control Kinect (pronounced like "connect").

Kinect had its coming-out party in Los Angeles Sunday night.

Kinect had its coming-out party in Los Angeles Sunday night.

The name seems to be a tie-in of sorts to the Microsoft Kin, a family of smartphones the company launched in April. Any details on connectivity were absent, however. Aaron Greenberg, director of product management for Xbox 360 and Xbox Live, told GameSpot that "Sunday is about entertainment, Monday is about information."

Greenberg's reference is to Microsoft's press conference on Monday morning, where harder information on Kinect is anticipated. Already confirmed for an October release by a loose-lipped Saudi Microsoft executive, the system's price remains unknown. Also unconfirmed are rumors that the add-on will be bundled with a new slimline model of the Xbox 360, which was apparently outed by an Italian advertisement earlier today.

Sunday's event was all about shock and awe--if one considers Quebecois circus acrobats in skin-tight outfits shocking and awesome. Some 80 performers and 200 support personnel were on hand, with a stage show that took 25 truckloads of props and equipment to put on.

Though he generally avoided divulging hard facts, Greenberg promised that Kinect will still "see you, hear you, and recognize you," implying that the facial and voice recognition functionality of the device remains intact.

Greenberg promised that Microsoft's briefing on Monday morning would have a large emphasis on "core games." He called out Halo: Reach, Gears of War 3, and Fable III by name and said all three will be on the show floor at Microsoft's booth at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Crackdown 2 will also be playable on the show floor.

Kinect, up close and personal.

Kinect, up close and personal.

For more details, check out GameSpot's live blog of Microsoft's press conference tomorrow morning or the live stream of the event on GameSpot's E3 2010 event page.

[UPDATE] At the Kinect naming event, Microsoft also announced that Disney would be an official partner on the project. It also showed a brief snippet of a Star Wars game that will use the motion-sensing system but did not offer any concrete details about the project.

[UPDATE2] USA Today is listing four new games that will use Kinect, including the Wii Sports-like Kinect Sports. The athletic minigame compilation will reportedly include boxing, bowling, beach volleyball, soccer, ping-pong, and track and field events.

The national daily is also reporting that Microsoft is readying Kinectimals, a pet simulator that will let players train and raise more than 20 virtual cats--including big cats such as a cheetah, lion, and tiger. Also apparently in the works is Kinect Adventures, which will include the river rafting simulation River Rush revealed earlier this year by screenwriter James Gunn.

Another game USA Today lists in development for Kinect is Dance Central, which will have players tackle dance challenges much like the television show So You Think You Can Dance. The previously announced game Joy Ride will also apparently be fully Kinect-compliant, having players steer cars with a phantom steering wheel much like the Burnout Paradise demo Microsoft showed off last year.

[UPDATE]: Good Morning America this morning reported that Kinect will be on shelves in November, with fitness games "built into it."

587 Comments

  • MasterLink31

    Posted Jun 16, 2010 5:01 pm GMT

    @Guesseppe
    Sorry. I majored in Digital Media, not Literature and Writing.

  • Guesseppe

    Posted Jun 16, 2010 4:50 pm GMT

    @MasterLink31

    You can get a degree in Dungeon Mastering????

    Also, it's _You're_, not Your. And _should have_, not should of.

    I don't disagree with what you say, but you sure spell like a "kiddie swinging remotes."

  • MasterLink31

    Posted Jun 15, 2010 6:16 pm GMT

    @Joe_Zombie
    Your welcome.
    Windows 7 was not originally released as 64bit, you had to upgrade to it. If he upgraded to a 64bit version of Windows 7, he should of had no problem with any designs or prints he was making. 7 is backwards compatible, and it would improve the performance of the programs and software he uses. Whatever your talking about repurchasing and add-ons is false, and you obviously don't know what your talking about.

    I don't mean this as demeaning or harmful mannerism, (in other words, if my wording offends you, it wasn't intentional)
    I wouldn't consider myself a 'qualified professional', but I just graduated with a major in DM, and all of my media that I have created has been on an iMac. I'm not just a kiddie swinging 'remotes' around or trolling the web. I know what I work with and understand it. That's why you will be watching my artwork on the indie screen.

  • Joe_Zombie

    Posted Jun 15, 2010 10:10 am GMT

    @masterlink31 thank you for replying to all of us, you're very secure about your internet identity. Just for future reference, my friends father prints vynil for his drag racing team, he tried to upgrade to a 64bit windows 7 and lone behold, his printing programs won't work in a 64 bit enviroment. So, he had to repurchase the programs and add-ons that were 64 specific. That's where the 32bit option comes in. It's for professionals, not for kids and their games.

  • Tekur

    Posted Jun 15, 2010 9:33 am GMT

    @big-boss-91 so you like things unrealistic huh? i getchya. rather sit down and play a skateboarding game rather than go out and actually skateboard. the Project natal is as real as it gets...well except for...reality! lol

  • leeko_link

    Posted Jun 15, 2010 8:54 am GMT

    So whatever happened to that Rare game that was suppose to be announce? Yeah I had completely zero interest for this so call Kinect thing. If that Rare game required the use of this thing, then my interest will be shatter for good.

  • drytal

    Posted Jun 15, 2010 5:04 am GMT

    @nibroc420 this is what i mean about not knowing much about kinect. when it was first annouced as project natal it was spielburg who came out to endorse it. do some research before acting emotional.
    obviously you're just a hater and not a creator. and the games that you are talking about are nothing more than promotional games to start with like the wii and ps3 have and are doing as we speak.
    all you can do is speculate on what has not come to pass for any system yet but at least ms is on the verge of creating these new games. im glad i support a system thats not afraid to go beyond normal thinking(as you do) to try to bring somethimg advance to gamers. beside kinect is used for more than just games it will become a new source where you can do almost anything from in front of your tv.
    and for people comparing it to an eye toy. listen the eyetoy didn't do half of what kinect can do. not to mention its online capabilities. nibroc420 pay more attention to details or you're just another rebel without a cause of any kind.

  • kbaily

    Posted Jun 15, 2010 4:59 am GMT

    I just love the fact that the fanboys are convicned this will kill the Wii because all the casual gamers will immediately go spend the $200 for the 360 and however much they're asking for this oversized Eyetoy. And one moment they're reaching out to the expanded audience and the next they're focusing on "Core games." Yet they don't seem to be implementing their core games into Kinetic. But you got to love how the Wii was a "gimmick" and "stupid" until the "real" consoles unveiled their motion controls.

  • Nibroc420

    Posted Jun 15, 2010 4:50 am GMT

    As far as Kinect titles as of now...
    Kinect Sports? Uhh, Wii sports. Total copy. I bet they're even using the M$ avatars that look like Mii's

    Rafting, (WOO, not) you get to sit (or stand, it doesn't matter) and wave your arms beside you like an idiot, oh, and do it as fast as you can cause it'll probbably be a racing game...

    "Joy Ride" Hmm.. You get to pretend to have a steering wheel in your hand as well as upshifting and downshifting (i wonder if making car noises into the microphone will help you move faster)

    I'd rather just load up wii sports resort on my wii, it'll probably have better controls.
    Not to mention, it's not some cheap ripoff.

  • Nibroc420

    Posted Jun 15, 2010 4:49 am GMT

    @drytal
    You're joking right?
    You actually view running on the spot for 3 hours "Fun, engaging and immersive" ?

    You're totally out of line bringing those names into the picture. Lemme tell you something.
    Disney has launch titles for Kinect.
    George Lucas has titles releasing for Kinect.
    As for Spielberg, i haven't seen anything that links him to it, so that point is invalid unless proof is given.

    Look at it this way. People play games to be with friends and family, or to lose themselves in a game.

    If you're of the latter then you wont enjoy kinect, period. and it's pretty darn obvious, Because as soon as you make the player get up, and run on the spot, or wave their arms around like an idiot, for a few hours, they're gonna lose the feeling of being lost in the game.

    As far as the first goes, The wii already HAS that market taken care of, Nintendo sold more systems than Sony and M$ combined.
    You need to figure things out for yourself man. Next time a company (yes, Lucas arts, Yes Disney, YES Microsoft) tells you something, think about what they have to gain. Rather than sheeping around like you are.

  • drytal

    Posted Jun 15, 2010 4:32 am GMT

    @nibroc420 i've been playing games since the age of atari, all with controllers of some sort.
    now that there is something new to look forward to. you controller base players can't let go. (literally)
    its good to have a system that does both and leaves the choice to you. so if you don't like motion sensor games don't get them. but don't try to convince yourself and others to stay in a comfort zone
    and not take risk on something that could transform entertainment as we know it. now when you have george lucas, disney and steven spielberg (who all are credited with changing the way we view entertainment) saying this is the future of gaming then dude you have a long way to go in proving them wrong. the point is this if you don't want to change then don't. me i like to explore my options rather than whining about something i know little about.

  • Nibroc420

    Posted Jun 15, 2010 4:08 am GMT

    @drytal
    "i don't see to many first person shooters on the wii or ps3 move."

    Try looking?
    There's tons of first person shooters on the wii, it seems you're just ignorant on the matter.

    And as far as i'm concerned, running on the spot in my living room isn't my idea of fun.. playing 3 hours of fable would require running on the spot for 3 hours, while wildly swinging my arms for magic/guns/swords isn't entertaining.It's just tiring.

    Besides, i'm hardly speculating, expecting that a camera and mic can completely replace buttons and controls is pointless. So far all M$ has announced as far as kinect goes is shovel ware that's availible on the wii (I mean, Kinect sports? Wii sports? such a joke)

    For the price of Kinect, you could almost purchase a new Wii, Which would give you a wider variety of games, and all the kinect shovelware you need. Just with a better control scheme.

  • Nibroc420

    Posted Jun 15, 2010 4:08 am GMT

    @drytal
    "i don't see to many first person shooters on the wii or ps3 move."

    Try looking?
    There's tons of first person shooters on the wii, it seems you're just ignorant on the matter.

    And as far as i'm concerned, running on the spot in my living room isn't my idea of fun.. playing 3 hours of fable would require running on the spot for 3 hours, while wildly swinging my arms for magic/guns/swords isn't entertaining.It's just tiring.

    Besides, i'm hardly speculating, expecting that a camera and mic can completely replace buttons and controls is pointless. So far all M$ has announced as far as kinect goes is shovel ware that's availible on the wii (I mean, Kinect sports? Wii sports? such a joke)

    For the price of Kinect, you could almost purchase a new Wii, Which would give you a wider variety of games, and all the kinect shovelware you need. Just with a better control scheme.

  • drytal

    Posted Jun 15, 2010 3:52 am GMT

    @nibroc420 bro did you see the demos you're not running anywhere but in place the track and
    field demo showed that. the game is created to work for you not the other way around. and besides you're getting ahead of what they have to offer at this point i don't see to many first person shooters on the wii or ps3 move. and when they get to that point of making fps and they will. then im pretty sure
    the game designers would have thought about that before implementing their tech into those type of games. give it time bro don't speculate too much yet. who knows we may end up meeting on the crossroads with this new technology.

  • TWayne1020

    Posted Jun 15, 2010 1:48 am GMT

    I will not give up my 360 controller , Thank you !!!

  • Nibroc420

    Posted Jun 14, 2010 10:36 pm GMT

    @Drytal
    I understand how kinect works, however it seems to me you do not, lemme simplify it for you.

    I'll even quote you "it captures FULL BODY MOTION. thats the magic behind it
    thats why its a big deal."

    Alright, Full body motion, so when i do something, the guy in game does the same thing?

    K, so when i play the next CoD, if i'm running down a hallway...What do i do to make the camera understand that i am infact wanting to run, or walk slowly, or go prone when there is no buttons?
    So i have to lay down on my livingroom floor? out of sight of the camera? no that wont work.
    What about running? Do i have to run on the spot? Or just run towards my tv? why dont i get a paintball gun and run around and shoot friends with that instead?

    And yes, Ollies and Kickflips can be done from a standstill, but who says everyone who plays skate is able to actually pull those off? Kinda removes the fun if you can't do any tricks in a skate game.

  • Henninger

    Posted Jun 14, 2010 9:37 pm GMT

    I honestly didnt think i wuz gonna like Natal or should i say Kinect (Natal sounds better) but i gotta say it has MASSIVE potential!! Now i wont b doing the exercise thing cuz i dont think playing video games should involve losing weight (i also have a gym membership). But from the looks of it, the racing games will b serious & i dont even like racing games! Im just hoping the FPS's wont b stupid using this. But im all eyes & ears on this. i wuz impressed!

  • Pajamasammi

    Posted Jun 14, 2010 9:01 pm GMT

    Xbox, play dead. *redrings*

  • HUNTER-VENOM

    Posted Jun 14, 2010 7:43 pm GMT

    Not saying Sony wont have any surprises I'm betting they will as well!

  • HUNTER-VENOM

    Posted Jun 14, 2010 7:42 pm GMT

    ESPN at no extra cost to gold members
    Kinect with some decent games that looked good and worked also dash controls
    Fable 3
    Gears 3
    Crackdown 2
    Halo Reach
    New Forza with Kinect "mite be Forza 3" that would be stupid if it were the same game
    Exclusive game with Crytek
    New 250 gig slim for $300 all others lowered in price
    COD maps first for 3 years Plus a bunch of other stuff they showed and that was bad? I guess people forgot they do have games coming: Mechwarrior,YuGiOh online XBLA,Bonk XBLA,Venetica,XCOM 360,Ilomilo XBLA,Sniper: Ghost Warrior 360 and Necromachina XBLA who knows what else they didn't have time for. That's not even including new multi-platform games that were announced! like Naruto UNS 2,New Metal Gear Rising Castlevania and more! It just looks like they wanted to spend there time promoting Kinect. Sony better do the same thing seeing how people always complain about how they don't do enough advertising. We saw there games mostly repeats as well.