Xbox 360 Kinect launch attracts line three blocks long

Mike Bantick
Friday, 05 November 2010 08:35

Your IT - Entertainment

Launched in the United States yesterday, Microsoft's radical Kinect controller for the Xbox 360 gaming console has seemingly be a day one success.  Already there is talk of extending the way the motion/voice capture device will be used for future gaming.

Though it won't be available in Australia until later in the month, iTWire has already had a chance at playing Xbox 360 games where 'you are the controller', this being the tag-line for Microsoft's Kinect device.

The Kinect uses 3D positioning controllers, facial and voice recognition as well as skeletal imaging algorithms to determine player movement and commands without touching an actual controller.

The US$150 (AU$200) device went on sale across 30,000 stores in the United States yesterday, with a massive launch centred around Times Square in New York City.  Featuring hundreds of dancers taking part in a mass playing of one of the core Kinect based games, Dance Central, the Times Square launch reportedly had a line of eagre purchases trailing around three city blocks prior to going on sale.

According to Don Mattrick, Head of Microsoft's entertainment unit, there was a possibility some people may miss out; "Presales have exceeded expectations," he said. "People are coming to us and saying this is must-have holiday item."

"We're anticipating that some of our partners will be sold out at points of time this holiday, and that's something we'll do our best to work through," Mattrick continued.

The device is sold as a standalone unit, including the game Kinect Adventures.  Microsoft is also bundling the Kinect with new Xbox 360's.  The Kinect device is most conveniently connected to the newer black Xbox 360S models, which sport a Kinect input port. It will also plug in fine with existing Xbox 360's on the market, just taking over a USB port and requiring its own power connection.

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