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Introduction

A 7th Generation "controller-free gaming and entertainment device" by Microsoft for the X-Box video game platform.

It enables users to control and interact with the Xbox 360 without the need to touch a game controller, through a Natural User Interface using gestures, Spoken commands,or presented objects and images.

Kinect competes with the Wii Remote with Wii Motion Plus, Playstation Move & Playstation Eye motion control systems for the Wii and Playstation 3 home consoles.

Kinect is based on software technology developed internally by Rare, a subsidiary of Microsoft Game Studios and Range Camera technology by Israeli developer Primesense, which interprets 3D scene information from a continuously - projected Infrared structured light.

Launch

North America and rest of the world on November 4, 2010.

Europe on November 10, 2010.

Australia, New Zealand and Singapore on November 18, 2010.

Japan on November 20, 2010.

As of November 29, 2010, 2.5 million Kinect sensors have been sold.

Key Strengths

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A new concept

Brings new games and gamers into the market.

Allows More Interaction with the Console

Menu Navigation

It Knows Who You Are

Voice Commands

Tracking

Hardware

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A tilt motor

Paired with a CMOS sensor that then looks at how it's reflected back and passes that data to the console – as a grayscale image.

RGB camera used for facial recognition, in-game snapshots and video chat.

Sensor contains four capsule microphones in combination with an audio processor.

An infrared emitter that floods your play space with invisible light so that it can determine the depth of the scene, most importantly your movement in 3D space.

Best selling games and developers

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Kinectimals by frontier developments (Microsoft Game Studios)

KinectTM Joyride by Bigpark (Microsoft Game Studios)

Sonic Free Riders by sonic team (Sega)

Yourshape™: Fitness Evolved by Ubisoft

Dance Central by Harmonix Music Systems (MTV Games)

Comparison

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Microsoft Xbox Kinect Sony Play station Move

Game play design features hands free total motion sensing control over your games

Real-time motion detection at the flick of the wrist you can make your player simulate any kind of motion.

In innovative new approach to the idea of the Eye ToySingle handed game play design allowing you to sit more comfortably while you play.

A new inventive way of controlling your multimedia and social networking.

A new interface for your web browsing, multimedia and social networking the wand like device can be used similar to a mouse.

Reception/Sales

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Review and Publication Scores:

Computer and Video Games 8.8/10 Game Informer 8/10 IGN 7.5/10CNET 3.5/5Engadget 6/10USA Today 3.5/4TechRadar 4.5/5The Washington Post 4/4PCMag 4/5

Sales:

- 2.5 million units of the Kinect sensor have been sold as of November 29, 2010.

- 1 million of which were sold within 10 days of its North American launch.

- According to NPD, within one month of availability Kinect became the "top-selling accessory item in terms of dollar sales on a year-to-date basis.

- Microsoft expects sales to reach 5 million by the end of 2010.

Conclusion

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The Good: Controller - free motion gaming, full-body motion sensor, solid game library at launch, voice control, games will have you very active, almost impossible to fool

The Bad: Timing-based learning curve, menu and video navigation is occasionally wonky and gets old fast, requires a lot of room to play, majority of games require standing, hard-core gamers may not feel satisfied, requires separate power supply when used with older Xbox 360 consoles.

The Bottom Line: With its impressive body tracking and unique, controller-free experience, Kinect is great for casual gaming parties and workouts - assuming you have enough room to play it.

References/Notes

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http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/04/kinect-for-xbox-360-review/

http://reviews.cnet.com/xbox-360-games/xbox-360-kinect/4505-11457_7-34182443.html#reviewPage1

http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/04/kinect-review/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinect

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