Category Archives: Kinect

According to a listing from the Australian Classification Board, Crimson Dragon will be the name of the titled Project Draco from the creators of Panzer Dragoon. The Kinect game, which was announced at Tokyo Game Show in 2010, is starting to come out of the woodwork with the first public hands-on later this month at a special event Akihabara.

Via Siliconera.

We sent Brenna Hillier to take down a champion in Grand Slam Tennis 2 at a launch party for the EA Sports title. On reflection, this wasn’t the best-laid plan.

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The third annual Danish Game Awards were held tonight, and The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim walked home with not only and award for Best RPG, but Game of the Year as well.

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Halfbrick has noted massive growth for Jetpack Joyride since making the iOS game free late last year.

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Have you ever wanted to follow pro-golfer Tiger Woods through his entire life, not just the latest PGA Tour? EA Sports is pretty sure you have, adding a Legacy mode to the upcoming Tiger Woods PGA Tour 13. The new mode takes players right through the champion’s career, starting with his prodigal efforts at the age of two. This is predictably adorable, and you can see a video of it through the break. The sports sim drops on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, with Move and Kinect support, on March 27.

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A new Kinect title is being made at Ubisoft Reflections in Newcastle, according to a LinkedIn CV, tweeted by Superannuation. The profile of Joss Scouler mentions he’s working on the “confidential” project as lead artist. Nothing else is mentioned.

Ubisoft Reflections’ last effort Driver: San Francisco for PS3, 360, Wii and PC.

Grand Slam Tennis 2 doesn’t just include one of the four famous Slams. Oh no! It’s got them all. For example: The US Open, as detailed in this new trailer.

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Microsoft has added Double Fine Happy Action Theater and Rhythm Party to the Xbox Live Marketplace, along with a few other goodies as well.

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Microsoft has launched the Kinect for Windows commercial license program. The sensor features the latest Microsoft Speech components such as: “near mode” which sees objects as close as 40 centimeters in front of the sensor; improved skeletal tracking enabling control over which user is being tracked; and a commercial-ready installer making it easy to install runtime and driver components. To further “encourage small businesses” to adopt the sensor, Microsoft and Tech Stars are running a Kinect Accelerator program which offers entrepreneurs, engineers and “innovators” the opportunity to develop applications as part of a 3-month intensive competition. The Kinect for Windows commercial license and purchasable hardware will be available in 12 countries, and sensors and accessories can be purchased directly from an online store, as well as various distributors and re-sellers.

Tim Schafer has made a Kinect game playable by two year-olds. Simple? Not. Patrick Garratt speaks to the Double Fine boss on the difficulty in reducing sophistication and whether or not Kinect can ever appeal to the core.

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Blockbuster has announced two pre-order exclusiveness Tiger Woods PGA Tour 13, which include DLC packs featuring football luminaries Wayne Rooney, James Milner, Theo Walcott and Petr Cech. Another pack will feature sports stars such as boxing champion Sugar Ray Leonard. Blockbuster said the exclusive DLC was “the start of an exciting year” for its customers and more promotions are coming in the future. Tiger Woods PGA Tour 13 will be released in the US on March 27 and worldwide on March 30. The Xbox 360 version features Kinect integration, while both the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions contain a new swing mechanic as well as social features. Thanks, Spong.

A report posted on tech blog The Daily claims Microsoft is looking to license Kinect technology to Window-based laptop makers. According to the post, two laptop prototypes were observed in Asus-based netbooks running a build of the Widows 8 OS. A source close to the site said these prototypes weren’t experiments, but officially MS-approved tech. Microsoft announced previously Kinect would be released for Windows systems as early as February 1, and Windows 8 will be shown to the public for the first time next month. Thanks, Neowin.

Microsoft has released a new video for Kinect Star Wars, featuring Parks and Recreation’s Chris Pratt reenacting the scene in Star Wars where Darth Vader and Obi-Wan go at it. Warning: he is in his under crackers at one point. After announcing a delay for the title last year, along with the awesome R2D2-inspired limited-edition Xbox 360 with Kinect bundle, Microsoft has yet to provide a new release date.

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An industry source has told Kotaku that Microsoft’s next Xbox will contain Blu-ray as its disc technology, and that it’ll introduce Kinect 2; and that it’s to contain some kind of anti-used game technology.

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A set of recruitment ads suggests Microsoft’s planning to set up two new Kinect-focused development studios.

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Microsoft has posted a 5% year-on-year increase in revenue for the quarter ending December 31, 2011, with strong performance from the Xbox 360 division.

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Microsoft’s plan is working.

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NanaOn-Sha has announced Masaya Matsuura’s Kinect title, Haunt, will be released on Xbox Live Arcade next week, January 18, for 800 MSP. The first-person haunted house title was originally announced at TGS 2010, and VG247′s Brenna got a look at the game last summer during an event at the Sydney Opera House. Thanks, Joystiq.

Ubisoft has announced the Just Dance series has sold 25 million units worldwide. Just Dance 3 helped the franchise reach the mark by selling 7 million units since it’s October release. Titles in the series include: Just Dance, Just Dance 2, Just Dance 3, Just Dance Kids, Just Dance Kids 2 and Just Dance Summer Party. Thanks, Gamasutra.

So. Kinect for Windows is an exciting thing, as revealed by Microsoft this week at CES. Somewhat less exciting is the price tag, which – at a whopping US$250 (RRP) – is US$100 more than you can expect to pay for the Xbox 360 version. Microsoft doesn’t see a problem with that. Other people do.
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