Microsoft’s Kinect x Konami

While at Comic-Con a few weeks ago, Nerdlike had the chance to personally experience Microsoft’s Kinect with the guys from Konami. Even from the sidelines, it was clear that what we were seeing was not your typical video game experience. It allows you to be completely engaged, immersing all five of your senses in the game, taking it from being handheld, to what we often see in the movies. Kinect¬†could¬†very easily become the future of gaming.

Now I know many of you are going to say “What about the Wii?”and that is a very valid argument. While I can say that the Wii did serve as inspiration for this device, it is more than Microsoft playing catch up. It is Microsoft once again taking the lead.

~~~~~~~~

As J7 and Jazzy posed for Kinect, I couldn’t help but think of how much work was going on in the background. If this¬†small¬†device that looked like the head of a Hammerhead shark was going to map their movements, it needed to be pretty accurate for the experience to even be enjoyable. Little did I know that not only was it accurate, but it allowed us to feel what it is like to PLAY a game. It took interaction beyond a vibrating controller….it made Jazzy sweat.

~~~~~~~~

I don’t fully understand the technology behind Kinect, and I probably will not understand it, but that is not really the point of it all is it? I know that it has a 3D sensor, a video camera, and some microphones. All of which combine to allow me to play a game with my entire body, tell my Xbox to play a movie, and to video chat with my brother in college.

It is this, it is those three elements, that puts Kinect on the forefront of video gaming. It is the execution of those experiences that make this product revolutionary. Revolutionary,not for what it will be at its launch in November. Revolutionary for its potential.  We are at phase one of Kinect. What would be amazing is if Microsoft would treat this like a start-up. Approached it with a vigor and fearlessness that we often worry is lost within a major corporation. The creative possibilities are sure to be through the roof when this hits the mass market and more game developers begin to create for a full gaming experience.

~~~~~~~~

J7: “If you jump, it jumps!”

Kutty: Are you serious? No way!

J: Try it!

M: Oh Sh!t

J: Dope Right?

M: Incredible! Look! When you lean forward, it goes faster. This is insane.

~~~~~~~~

It is hard to experience Kinect and not be excited about what is to come. Imagine being able to control your TV with the flick of your risk, or working out in front of your TV and begin shown exactly how you should lift the weight, or how far you should stretch based on you body. This could easily turn video games into an actual playtime for children. Imagine being fully immersed in a FPS game.

I remember when i was first teaching my mother to play a video game, she spent a lot of her time moving her entire body instead of the controller. When going left, she physically tried to turn left. It almost feels like a natural extension of video games. After playing a few different titles on the system, those movements are not so funny anymore. They are a reality. They are what we can come to expect starting in November.

~~~~~~~~

While I have plenty of praise for Kinect, there are some issues with the device. One of the main components is the lag. Though it is close to real-time, it is not. Not a deal breaker, but something people will definitely notice as they get better at games and start to anticipate movements. The next issues is that is requires a¬†sizable¬†room. Many Xbox 360 users have a system in their room, with very little “extra space”. It is recommended that you have at least 6 feet of space. That is something that is just not going to happen in a 16 year old kids room. The third issue is Microsoft itself. With the recent demise of the Microsoft Kin, and the so-so support of the Zune, you are left to worry about the support Microsoft will throw behind the product. Will this be Microsoft’s next HD-DVD? Only time will tell. I personally hope it is not!

In the meantime, I am excited about what the future holds for gaming and the Xbox 360. Microsoft has taken a leap forward, and I am glad to be a part of it. Once we get our hands on a unit, we will put together a full thorough review and give you our final thoughts. Until then, enjoy J7 and Jazzy playing Konami’s Dance Masters. As you can see, they had a bit of fun and Jazzy clearly dominated J7.