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The $99 Xbox 360 and Kinect Combo is Real
Tue May 08, 2012 at 03:30 PM ETTags: Xbox 360, Videogame Sales, Kinect (all tags)
Microsoft will be using a cell phone style service that requires a 2 year commitment to Xbox Live.
The Xbox 360 isn't exactly an expensive system at this point, but it's still out of some people's price range. Casual gamers and parents may even shell out for a Wii simply because the cost is so low. Microsoft has a new way to combat that.
The company is set to offer an Xbox 360 and Kinect combo for just $99. The catch – and of course there's a catch – is that you'll have to sign up for two years of Xbox Live Gold at $15 a month – that's $360 over the course of two years.
It's not a fantastic deal if you're not planning on using Xbox Live, but if you are, that's a savings of $200, assuming you're paying $15 a month for your Xbox Live.
Source: Venture Beat
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'Steel Battalion: Heavy Armor' Comes out June 19th
Mon Mar 05, 2012 at 01:30 PM ETTags: Steel Battalion, Steel Battalion: Heavy Armor, Xbox 360, Kinect, Release Dates (all tags)
The long awaited mech game will be available this Summer, Kinect control scheme and all
The original 'Steel Battalion' is one of those games that will go down in legend. It was an original Xbox game that put you in control of giant mechs to do battle against other mechs. The idea behind the game may not be a big stretch, but the controller sure was. It cost around $200 and featured two sticks and 40 buttons, which were used both for combat and for complicated startup sequences.
The upcoming 'Steel Battalion: Heavy Armor' drops the complicated controller in favor of mixing traditional and Kinect controls. You'll use the Xbox 360 controller for the usual - aiming, shooting, moving - while anything else that needs doing is handled by the Kinect.
The game is being published by Camcom and was created by From Software, the company responsible for 'Dark Souls' and the upcoming 'Armored Core V.'
Source: Joystiq
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'Steel Battalion: Heavy Armor' Comes out June 19th
Mon Mar 05, 2012 at 01:30 PM ETTags: Steel Battalion, Steel Battalion: Heavy Armor, Xbox 360, Kinect, Release Dates (all tags)
The long awaited mech game will be available this Summer, Kinect control scheme and all
The original 'Steel Battalion' is one of those games that will go down in legend. It was an original Xbox game that put you in control of giant mechs to do battle against other mechs. The idea behind the game may not be a big stretch, but the controller sure was. It cost around $200 and featured two sticks and 40 buttons, which were used both for combat and for complicated startup sequences.
The upcoming 'Steel Battalion: Heavy Armor' drops the complicated controller in favor of mixing traditional and Kinect controls. You'll use the Xbox 360 controller for the usual - aiming, shooting, moving - while anything else that needs doing is handled by the Kinect.
The game is being published by Camcom and was created by From Software, the company responsible for 'Dark Souls' and the upcoming 'Armored Core V.'
Source: Joystiq
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Kinect for Windows Runs $100 More Than Xbox Version
Wed Jan 11, 2012 at 12:30 PM ETTags: Xbox 360, PC, Kinect (all tags)
The good news for wannabe developers though, is that it comes bundled with a commercial SDK, allowing free reign to design software for the device.
When Microsoft first launched Kinect, it was thought to be an Xbox only device made for motion controlled gaming. Once hackers got their hands on it though, they showed that the Kinect can be used for so much more - even practical non-gaming applications. The device has even become so popular for these purposes that books have been released on the very subject.
Kinect will be coming out for Windows in February, but PC users will have to pay an additional $100 for the device, bringing the total cost to $249. Microsoft says it's still a hell of a deal though, when you take into consideration that tech like this would cost "tens of thousands of dollars just a few years ago." It's not exactly sound logic, but that's the company line.
Kinect for Windows general manager Craig Eisler gives a more understandable reason. "The ability to sell Kinect for Xbox 360 at its current price point," he says, "is in large part subsidized by consumers buying a number of Kinect games, subscribing to Xbox Live, and making other transactions associated with the Xbox 360 ecosystem."
Source: Gamasutra
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Kinect for Windows Runs $100 More Than Xbox Version
Wed Jan 11, 2012 at 12:30 PM ETTags: Xbox 360, PC, Kinect (all tags)
The good news for wannabe developers though, is that it comes bundled with a commercial SDK, allowing free reign to design software for the device.
When Microsoft first launched Kinect, it was thought to be an Xbox only device made for motion controlled gaming. Once hackers got their hands on it though, they showed that the Kinect can be used for so much more - even practical non-gaming applications. The device has even become so popular for these purposes that books have been released on the very subject.
Kinect will be coming out for Windows in February, but PC users will have to pay an additional $100 for the device, bringing the total cost to $249. Microsoft says it's still a hell of a deal though, when you take into consideration that tech like this would cost "tens of thousands of dollars just a few years ago." It's not exactly sound logic, but that's the company line.
Kinect for Windows general manager Craig Eisler gives a more understandable reason. "The ability to sell Kinect for Xbox 360 at its current price point," he says, "is in large part subsidized by consumers buying a number of Kinect games, subscribing to Xbox Live, and making other transactions associated with the Xbox 360 ecosystem."
Source: Gamasutra
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Rumor: 'Epic Mickey 2' Coming with Co-Op Play on PS3, 360 and Wii in 2012
Wed Jan 04, 2012 at 11:30 AM ETTags: Epic Mickey, Epic Mickey 2, Move, Kinect, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, Warren Spector, Rumors and Speculation (all tags)
The information comes from a page that's since been scrubbed clean, but this sounds legit as far as these things go.
When 'Epic Mickey' was first announced, there was quite a bit of excitement. On release it got reactions that ranged from faint praise to downright hate. The game has a Metacritic rating of 73, which is considered to be very poor in the 7-10 review system that the gaming industry seems to embrace. Still, it sold well, and that means a sequel is likely.
Rumor has it we'll be seeing that sequel later this year, but not exclusive to the Wii like the last game. According to information now pulled from Disney fan site Stitch Kingdom, 'Epic Mickey 2' will be coming out on the Wii, Xbox 360 and PS3.
Since the first game was fairly reliant on motion control, we're guessing that Kinect and Move compatibility will be in there, but there's no word on whether it will be motion control exclusive. It's reportedly going to feature cooperative play with one player controlling Mickey and the other taking Oswald the Lucky Rabbit.
The little information available does not reveal whether or not game designer Warren Spector will be working on the second title in the series or not.
Source: GameSpot
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Rumor: 'Epic Mickey 2' Coming with Co-Op Play on PS3, 360 and Wii in 2012
Wed Jan 04, 2012 at 11:30 AM ETTags: Epic Mickey, Epic Mickey 2, Move, Kinect, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, Warren Spector, Rumors and Speculation (all tags)
The information comes from a page that's since been scrubbed clean, but this sounds legit as far as these things go.
When 'Epic Mickey' was first announced, there was quite a bit of excitement. On release it got reactions that ranged from faint praise to downright hate. The game has a Metacritic rating of 73, which is considered to be very poor in the 7-10 review system that the gaming industry seems to embrace. Still, it sold well, and that means a sequel is likely.
Rumor has it we'll be seeing that sequel later this year, but not exclusive to the Wii like the last game. According to information now pulled from Disney fan site Stitch Kingdom, 'Epic Mickey 2' will be coming out on the Wii, Xbox 360 and PS3.
Since the first game was fairly reliant on motion control, we're guessing that Kinect and Move compatibility will be in there, but there's no word on whether it will be motion control exclusive. It's reportedly going to feature cooperative play with one player controlling Mickey and the other taking Oswald the Lucky Rabbit.
The little information available does not reveal whether or not game designer Warren Spector will be working on the second title in the series or not.
Source: GameSpot
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Microsoft Rumored to be Teaming with Sony and Vizio for a Kinect TV
Mon Nov 28, 2011 at 11:30 AM ETTags: Kinect, Sony, Vizio, Microsoft, Rumors and Speculation (all tags)
A TV set with solid motion controls could be a boon, but Microsoft's choice of partners raise an eyebrow.
Microsoft Kinect may not be the most wieldy gaming peripheral out there. Integration into hardcore gaming experiences hasn't exactly been happening and most Kinect games fail to impress. Where it shines though, is in controlling the basic user interface and swiping through menus.
It may not sound like much, but it's this functionality that TV makers have been trying - and failing - to put in their sets for a few years now. It makes sense that a company would want to take advantage of this tech and that Microsoft would want to find new ways to sell it or license it.
According to rumor, Microsoft has been in talks with two partners. The first is Vizio, a company that has been working hard to separate itself from the pack by trying out new technologies and making less conventional sets.
The second partner is Sony. While the PlayStation arm of Sony is completely separate from the Sony that makes TVs, it's still an interesting thing to see. Having the Microsoft Kinect baked into a Sony product would be quite a sight.
Source: Joystiq
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Microsoft Continues Plans for Xbox 360 to Take Over Living Rooms
Mon Jun 06, 2011 at 05:40 PM ETTags: Microsoft, Kinect, High-Def Gaming, Industry Trends, Xbox 360 (all tags)
Microsoft is betting big on its Kinect to be the Xbox 360 accessory that not only changes the way games are played, but what also makes the Xbox 360 an all-in-one living room media hub.
Announced this morning were a gluttony of new game titles that will either be enhanced by the Kinect (meaning, you'll play them with the normal Xbox 360 controllers, with added movement and voice commands being available via Kinect), or be played as controller-free Kinect titles.
First up, in the Enhanced-by-Kinect category, EA Sports said Kinect support was coming for this year's versions of 'Tiger Woods PGA TOUR, 'Madden NFL', 'FIFA', and one other still-to-be-named title. Other sequels getting Kinect support include 'Forza Motorsport 4', 'Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Future Soldier' 'Mass Effect 3', 'Fable: The Journey', 'The Sims 3 Pets', and 'Family Game Night 4'.
As one would expect for controller-free games, sequels to 'Dance Central and 'Kinect Sports' will also be out by the end of the year. 'Kinect Sports: Season Two' will include skiing, American football, darts, golf, baseball, and tennis.
Controller-free games are being made for both kids and adults, with 'Disneyland Adventures' and 'Sesame Street: Once Upon a Monster' promising younger gamers the chance to interact with their favorite characters. On the adult side, developer Cryteck is prepping 'Ryse', a historical Roman epic, for release. And, what looks like a lot of fun, LucasArts will be giving Fanboys a chance to fight like a real-life Jedi (though I hope no one ends up doing a front flip into his or her flatscreen).
E3 attendees got their first look at 'Halo 4', due out in 2012, but for this holiday season, Microsoft is releasing a remastered-for-HD version of the original 'Halo', entitled 'Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary'. Have a look here:Outside of gaming itself, Microsoft wants the Xbox 360 to be your living room's hub for all digital media. Once again, the Kinect is front and center, allowing Xbox LIVE subscribers to use Bing to "voice search" your Xbox, home network, and the Internet itself for all forms of digital content. This will include YouTube.
"Bing on Xbox searches Netflix, Hulu Plus and ESPN, as well as music, video, and Xbox LIVE Marketplace to find exactly the entertainment you want to enjoy… You say it, Xbox finds it."
For months, rumors have being flying that Microsoft would, as part of its Xbox LIVE service, announce its Diamond IPTV service for North America, which purportedly will allow access to a slew of cable channels. And while similar services are already available in the UK, France, and Australia, nothing official was announced today, other than another promise for Live TV on Xbox LIVE by the end of the year.
Source: Microsoft
What do you think? Do you like the Kinect? Do you care? Do you want to watch live TV via your Xbox 360? Hit up the forum to share your thoughts.
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Kinect Control Comes to Netflix on the Xbox 360
Fri Apr 15, 2011 at 10:00 AM ETTags: Xbox 360, Kinect, Netflix (all tags)
Control options are a little limited, but it's a start.
Kinect owners across the country can now use their hands to control Netflix thanks to the latest update from Microsoft. By using hand or voice commands, you're able to browse through your library.
Don't put down that controller yet. If you actually want to play a movie, you're still required to enter that command from an Xbox 360 controller.
The folks at Joystiq gave Microsoft a call for some clarification on this and it turns out that while you can play "recommended films" through a special Kinect dashboard, anything in your normal queue is a no go.
Source: Joystiq
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