Tue, May 17, 2011 | 13:55 BST
Avatar Kinect to launch through Xbox Live this spring
Microsoft has confirmed its “social “entertainment experience”, Avatar Kinect, will be launched through Xbox Live this spring.
The program allows you to control your Avatar’s movements and expressions through Kinect’s facial recognition system, which causes your Avatar to smile, nod, speak, and frown along with you.
Using Avatar Kinect, up to seven people will be able to project their virtual selves into a themed environment and “hang out” in sets ranging from tailgate parties to talk-show settings.
“Avatar Kinect will let you hang out and socialize with seven of your friends in a simulated environment,” said Umaimah Mendhro, a senior product manager for Microsoft Startup Business Group. “The gathering spots will range from the set of a late-night talk show to a tailgate party to a magical forest.”
All of your facial movements and voice will happen in real-time, along with your friends, and you can watch the CES 2011 demo of Avatar Kinect shown by Microsoft’s Steve Ballmer back in January below.
“The work that we did was taking something that was essentially a demo and turning it into a product,” said Eric Lang, a general manager for Microsoft Startup Business Group. “It’s a huge amount of work.”
Thanks, Electronic Theatre.
8 comments
#1
Blerk
17/05/11, 1:59 pm
I can’t imagine how I could possibly be less excited.
#2
Erthazus
17/05/11, 2:03 pm
Can you F. someone in front of your TV? Because if not, there is no point in Avatar kinect.
#3
LOLshock94
17/05/11, 2:05 pm
^gay……
#4
mojo
17/05/11, 2:07 pm
“Using Avatar Kinect, up to seven people ”
is it not ratehr a group of 8 ppl if u can, like the text sais, hang out with 7 of ur friends?
#5
rrw
17/05/11, 2:13 pm
awesome so you can chat virtual people realistically
/go back to real life
#6
minxamo
17/05/11, 5:20 pm
And there i was thinking that i couldn’t resent kinect anymore…
#7
Bloodyghost
17/05/11, 5:24 pm
Funny. All this negative feed has me chuckling. They added and updated how the Kinect reads face and voice and I cant see that as a negative.
Remember, this is casual shit, we all know you cool cats wont be using this because, lets face it, who has real friends and family here.
I look at it as just another ounce of news, rather then MS taking a tampon up the butt.
#8
OrbitMonkey
17/05/11, 5:39 pm
I wonder if this can be used to help teach children with aspergers/autism social interaction? I have to admit I love all the non-gaming stuff the Kinnect can do, its great