Electronic Entertainment Expo or E3, The annual video game conference and show, held from June15-17, 2010 at the Los Angeles Convention center greeted one and all with the latest and best in the world of gaming. Microsoft unveiled its controller-free gaming device at last year’s edition of the E3 and in this year edition, its official name ‘Kinect’ was announced. Jaspreet Bindra, regional director ? Entertainment & Devices Division, Microsoft Corporation (India) speaks with Ayesha Dominica Singh about the device, how it is different from its competition and what it holds for the future of gaming. Excerpts:
What is Kinect? Give us a background of how it came about.
Previously codenamed ?Project Natal?, Kinect brings games and entertainment to life in a whole new way, where no controller is required. Kinect for Xbox 360 is unlike anything anyone has ever seen or experienced before: It?s real and it works. It will be launched in the US in November and will roll out worldwide, including India, thereafter. We haven?t yet announced the pricing details for Kinect.
Kinect has motion sensing abilities, which means it can sense your movements, gestures, as well as your voice. Through Kinect, you eliminate the last barrier to gaming ? the controller. Instead, you become the controller. The Kinect sensor is the world?s first to combine an RGB camera, depth sensor, multi-array microphone and custom processor running proprietary software, all in one device.
Unlike 2-D cameras and controllers, Kinect tracks your full body movement in 3-D, while responding to commands, directions, even a difference of emotion in your voice. Kinect lets people play driving games, for example, by simply moving their hands as if turning a car?s steering wheel.
The name Kinect perfectly describes the experience. It gets you moving. It?s that simple.
How many games will Kinect launch with?
There will be more than 15 games available at launch, like Kinectimals, Kinect Joy Ride, Kinect Adventures, and Kinect Sports. Developers have embraced the technology and are developing more titles. Key publishers such as Ubisoft and MTV have also developed Kinect games. Xbox has also announced agreements with Disney and LucasArts to bring more exclusive games to Kinect.
Where is Kinect going to take 3D gaming and will it also play Blu-RAY games and movies in HD?
Xbox 360 is 3D capable and we have 3D games for the system today. We are most excited about the growth and potential of controller-free games. Kinect will add value to the future of 3D gaming by making it more interactive.
For Kinect, we wanted the games to be easy to learn, quick to play and fun to watch. We wanted them to be collaborative and social. However, Kinect is about so much more than just gaming. It enhances the entertainment experience. We looked at everything you can do on your Xbox?watch movies and TV shows, listen to music, connect with friends on Facebook.
We have no plans to introduce a Blu-ray drive for Xbox 360, whichbecame the only console to offer instant-on 1080p streaming HD movies. We believe that the digital distribution of HD videos and movies is a key trend in home entertainment and Kinect creates an easier user interface for viewing HD content.
How is Kinect different from Nintendo Wii and the PS3 Move? Will these consoles dent the target market for Kinect?
While our competition puts more motion sensing controllers into your hands, be it one, we?re removing the last barrier between you and the entertainment. By making you the controller, Kinect will transform how you experience games and entertainment.
We believe families around the world will love Kinect and so will Indians, as games are now a large part of mass entertainment. For Kinect, family and social gaming is just the beginning. Imagine what Kinect could do for fashion, fitness or even shopping. Our goal with Kinect is to create experiences that invite everyone. All you have to do is be you.