What will this year's "Child of Eden" moment be?
Tell us your hopes
Microsoft's E3 2011 news conference is only a few weeks away, and our thoughts are turning towards what the company will show off on Monday 6th June. Here's a list of what we believe Microsoft should do with Kinect in order to capture the imagination like it did at E3 2010.
Improved Tracking
In its current form, Kinect can track your limbs but not their rotation, limiting developers' options when it comes to creating control systems that work. Virtua Tennis 4 is the latest game to suffer from the lack of wrist-tracking for example, but we know developers have access to better Kinect responsiveness now, and also that Microsoft will unveil new Kinect features. Put these two together and we're hopeful we'll see more accurate tracking from the sensor come June.
Our hopes are strong with this one
Kinect Star Wars to Be Playable, and Good
Last year's tantalising reveal of Kinect Star Wars was as tightly orchestrated as the Imperial March, with an actor jumping onto the stage to respond to a pre-recorded demo video. This year we need to see the game playable by real people to judge the game's potential: if it can nail the lightsaber battles and Force abilities, we'll be happy. With a proposed release around Christmas, this could be Kinect's biggest hit of the year.
More Of the Games That Got Gamers Interested in Kinect in the First Place
Microsoft sold Kinect to gamers with a slew of core titles that so far we've seen next-to nothing about: Project Draco, the new game from the creator of Panzer Dragoon,Steel Battalion: Heavy Armor, Rise of Nightmares and more have all been absent since their original reveals last year. This year, they need to take centre stage to show they're alive and kicking and ignite interest again.
New Genres Explored
While we'd be happy with sequels to top-tier Kinect games Kinect Sports and Dance Central, what we really want to see is new kinds of games only possible with Kinect. Milo and Kate looked like being that inventive title, but its cancellation has left an innovation gap in Kinect's line-up. Will a small studio be able to step into this gap and make a name for itself with a brand new game only possible with Kinect?
"What are you looking at?"
More Xbox Live Arcade Support
Twisted Pixel's The Gunstringer is one of just two Xbox Live Arcade games announced for Kinect so far, but there could be more on the horizon, as we asked in our recent Talking Point: Are Small Games Kinect's Future? We know that Doodle Jump is coming to the sensor, but we'd love to see a greater emphasis on downloadable games making up Kinect's catalogue.
What do you think Microsoft will show off on Kinect at E3 on 6th June?
User Comments
1. davahsa
10 May 2011, 18:10 BST
You nailed it! Journalists are core gamers. They need to be blown away by actually stepping up to and experiencing a good/great core Kinect game. . . anything in addition is just icing on the cake but if this does not happen. . . Kinect will be a casual affair this generation.
2. ManicMilner
11 May 2011, 09:00 BST
We need more interactive games, maybe more live content- mini games xbl games etc? Think the dance/fitness games are great but we'll get tired of those after the 100th attempt, rare need to release more for Kinect!
3. UberGames_Co_Za
11 May 2011, 12:41 BST
MS and their partners must not forget that the fact that you can do controller free gaming, does not mean you always have to. The Kinect can be used for recognising peripherals like the Sharp Shooter. Introducing guns and boards and bats and other game props will increase the range of games that can be Kinect friendly.
http://www.geeky-gadgets.com/sony-playstation-move-sharp-shooter-gun-announced-10-12-2010/
4. King_Boo
11 May 2011, 14:45 BST
I think they should do a price drop, but that's probably not going to happen. They really need to show some kind of benefit to playing without a controller, I actually expect them to do a 180 from "you are the controller" to buy all of our add ons.
5. James
11 May 2011, 16:01 BST
A Kinect price drop could well happen — I know here in the UK retailers are bundling Kinect with Kinect Sports, Kinectimals and 800 Microsoft Points at £130, which is what the sensor + Kinect Adventures cost when it first launched!
6. danielmontero87
11 May 2011, 19:01 BST
OMG !! if they nail the "lightsaber battles and Force abilities" i think my family, mates and lady will not see me for days LOL .. more Xbox Live Arcade hell yeah !! the FREE party pack for kinect sports was cool and nice of them .. the Calorie Challenge Pack for 320 microsoft points was good i think !!
7. davahsa
11 May 2011, 23:48 BST
Price drop! Absolutely. . . Wii just went 150. I would
expect Microsoft to counter
8. James
12 May 2011, 09:51 BST
Welcome aboard! I think some Kinect games have been really well-supported with DLC — Kinect Sports, Your Shape, Dance Central — but there's definitely scope for more. I'd love some new Kinect Sports minigames to keep me going!
I think the price of 360 may stay the same this year, it's still outselling the competition, though I think Kinect itself will drop in price — the initial buzz has died down and the sales have slowed. That said, Microsoft needs to recoup that enormous outlay on R&D and marketing, so who knows?
9. Crunc
12 May 2011, 18:20 BST
Yep, better tracking and lots of games we haven't heard of yet, plus extensive XBLA and XBIG announcements, including small, cheap games. 80 points and such. Basically, the kitchen sink.
10. Richfrombechtle
13 May 2011, 08:56 BST
Improving the sensitivity of the tracking, so it can see your fingers and more intricate foot movements. I love the footy on Kinect Sports but if it tracked even better I could do more skillful shots
The fact that Kinect Sports 2 should be announced makes me hopeful this will happen! More GOOD games will of course be awesome...using gun peripherals would be pretty fly too...
11. SigourneyBeaver
14 May 2011, 14:31 BST
GAME.co.uk and ShopTo.net had Kinect for about £80 a few weeks ago, which is knocking on for half price for a product that was launched 6 months ago. I will be buying it when it does reach the £60 mark which is what it's worth, but a look at the types of game on offer in the "out now" section of this site doesn't fill me with excitement.
12. thekng02
15 May 2011, 05:13 BST
microsoft should prove that the kinect is ready for anything,and can play actions games.the good one can be games with swords you move your hand and yourself as the controles