You can make your own balls jokes now

"Hit" show on the way

The world's biggest games publisher, Activision, announced its first Kinect title today, and it might surprise some. With a catalogue that includes Call of Duty, Guitar Hero, Tony Hawk's Skateboarding and more, the mega-publisher's first game for Microsoft's sensor is Wipeout In the Zone, a video game version of ABC's super-physical game show.

Activision's David Oxford explains what it is about the show that makes it ideally suited to Kinect:

The ABC hit show Wipeout continues to thrill a growing fan base of viewers with hilarious new obstacles. Everyone who watches the show wishes they could try the obstacle course — and now this is their chance! The show is all about absurd movement and well-timed balance, so it's a perfect fit for a Kinect game.

While the announcement of another minigame compilation is unlikely to set your gaming glands throbbing, the potential satisfaction in seeing your friends and family's virtual selves smashing into those iconic red balls is hard to deny. Wipeout In the Zone is coming to Kinect in North America this summer.

Activision and ABC Entertainment Group Announce Exclusive Wipeout In The Zone, Coming This Summer on Kinect for Xbox 360

The Hit Game is Back With More Thrills, Spills and Chills Than Ever!

SANTA MONICA, Calif., March 16, 2011 - Activision Publishing, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI) and ABC Entertainment Group today announced that Wipeout In the Zone is coming this summer to Kinect™, controller-free games and entertainment, for Xbox 360®. Based on the ABC hit show Wipeout, Wipeout In the Zone will be the latest release in this hit video game franchise and will have players running, ducking, dodging and wiping out using Kinect for Xbox 360's full-motion capabilities right in their own living room.

"The ABC hit show Wipeout continues to thrill a growing fan base of viewers with hilarious new obstacles. Everyone who watches the show wishes they could try the obstacle course — and now this is their chance!" said David Oxford, Activision Publishing. "The show is all about absurd movement and well-timed balance, so it's a perfect fit for a Kinect game."

Wipeout In the Zone features over thirty outrageous obstacles that will test players' limits in more ridiculous ways than ever. Players can try to run the entire course in one shot, conquering one challenge after another, such as leaping over a pool of water using the infamous "Big Balls" and maneuvering their players to avoid being pummeled by the "Smack Wall Sweeper." Once again featuring the talents and hilarious commentary of the show's hosts, John Anderson, John Henson and co-host Jill Wagner, Wipeout In the Zone will bring hours upon hours of fun and laughter for the entire family.

"We are thrilled to be continuing our successful relationship with ABC and Activision," said David Goldberg, Chairman of Endemol North America. "Not only is this new 'Wipeout' game filled with even more humor, spills and thrills, but now the entire family can play interactively with the new full motions capabilities. This game introduces a new level of excitement for Wipeout fans of all ages to play."

Wipeout In The Zone will be Kinect ready for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, and available on retail shelves this summer in conjunction with the premier of Wipeout's summer season on ABC.

"Wipeout" executive producers are Matt Kunitz ("Fear Factor") and Scott Larsen. Shye Sutherland, Kevin Wehrenberg, Trice Barto and J. Rupert Thompson are co-executive producers. The series is produced by Endemol USA. David Goldberg is the chairman of Endemol North America.

This game is not yet rated by the ESRB. For more information, please visit www.activision.com.