Latest News
First Impressions: Project Draco
High and mighty
All the Christmas big-hitters were out in force at Xbox UK's recent Kinect preview event: Kinect Sports: Season Two, Dance Central 2 and Kinect Disneyland Adventures. One title tucked away toward the back is definitely one to watch for in 2012: Xbox Live Arcade title Project Draco. Developed by Grounding Inc. under the direction of Panzer Dragoon legend Yukio Futatsugi, Proje Continue Reading »
News: We Bet Playing Blackwater is Nothing Like This Trailer
It's Wii all over again
Remember how those very first Nintendo Wii adverts showed players diving about the place as if the console could register their every move? Launch game Red Steel was a fairly bad example, but it's got nothing on this trailer for upcoming 360 shooter Blackwater. We'd wager large sums of money that the "Better with Kinect" shooter doesn't play anything like this.. Continue Reading »
News: SpongeBob Hangs Ten on Kinect From 8th November
Pineapple not included
The fact that Kinect's first skateboarding and surfing game features a yellow sponge might not bode well for the sensor's future, but beggars can't be choosers, can they? SpongeBob's Surf & Skate Roadtrip is coming to North America on 8th November. It's not SpongeBob's first appearance on Kinect, though: he's already in Nicktoons MLB, of course. Here's a quick trailer to.. Continue Reading »
News: Protect Yourself with Ubisoft's My Self Defence Coach
Block! Strike!
Playing Fighters Uncaged is a pretty good workout, not least because the game rarely recognises your movements, but publisher Ubisoft is going one better and teaching you to defend yourself while getting fit at the same time. Meet My Self Defence Coach for Kinect. The Kinect-exclusive game will teach players to protect themselves through instruction from a real-life self defence.. Continue Reading »
News: Microsoft Announces More Entertainment Partners for Xbox
Plenty will use Kinect
Microsoft's just announced a huge list of new entertainment coming to Xbox 360, with nearly 40 new services on the way before Christmas. LoveFilm, BBC, HBO GO, Bravo, SyFy and more will all come to Xbox 360, many of them supporting Kinect's voice recognition and gesture support for easy navigation. Not all content will be available in all regions though, nor will it all.. Continue Reading »
News: New Patent Suggests Kinect Can Tell Your Age
Blocks inappropriate content too
Kinect has no end of patents connected to it, but one of the more interesting registrations has just surfaced online, suggesting that the sensor can work out a player's age. Using its skeletal maps, Kinect could be able to discern the likely age of anyone in its viewing range, and block inappropriate content accordingly. We don't just mean not letting little Jimmy.. Continue Reading »
News: New Sims 3 Pets Screenshots Bark, Meow and Neigh
Also shows fishing
In a few weeks' time, The Sims will be changed forever: finally the commands you shout at your characters will actually make a difference, as The Sims 3 Pets is due to launch on Kinect. EA just sent over a batch of new screenshots showing the game and its menagerie in action. Barking orders isn't the only new feature in the game though: your dog will join you on treasure hunting.. Continue Reading »
News: Tiger Woods Tees Off EA Sports' Kinect Support in 2012
The first of many
EA Sports hasn't done anything with Kinect yet, somewhat surprising considering its unrivalled stable of sports games. The publisher will break that duck next year when it releases Tiger Woods PGA Tour 13 for Xbox 360. The golf game, due out in March 2012, will make use of Kinect's body-tracking and voice recognition capabilities in gameplay, though at this stage EA isn't talking.. Continue Reading »
News: Next Dashboard Update Due In November
Puts Kinect at the front
This year's E3 presentation from Microsoft put Kinect right at the centre of the Xbox experience, and now according to the latest rumour we'll be able to try it out for ourselves on 15th November when the update rolls out around the world. The biggest update is that Kinect controls don't just work in the Kinect Hub, but right across the board, with gesture and voice.. Continue Reading »
News: Rise of Nightmares Comic is Huge, Weird and So, So Gory
So ticks all the boxes
Regardless of what you thought about Rise of Nightmares, it wasn't short on blood and guts, and neither is the new comic put out by SEGA to promote the game. Titled Rise of Nightmares: The Lost Tapes of Roland Childs, the comic is pretty gory but also pokes a little fun at itself in places, particularly exactly why there are so many cassette tapes lying around. It's twisted.. Continue Reading »
News: New Puss in Boots Trailer Rubs Up Against You
In a friendly way, though
Dreamworks' popular feline Puss in Boots is coming to Kinect in a few months and we now have the first footage of his upcoming adventure. While the trailer doesn't show the much-anticipated señorita-serenading, it does look like it could be a decent action adventure title with some combat, barrel-dodging and more all thrown in. See what you think of Puss in Boots with the.. Continue Reading »
News: Exclusive Michael Phelps: Push the Limit Gameplay Trailer
We've got it first
We've already seen a trailer this week showing how to play Michael Phelps: Push the Limit, but it didn't contain too much in-game footage of 505 Games' upcoming aquatic attraction. Now we have the exclusive on a brand new gameplay trailer. The footage shows some of the in-game arenas, including a rainy skyscraper and what seems to be a fiery cave, as well as a range of strokes.. Continue Reading »
News: Ubisoft Preparing Another Kinect Quiz Game
True or false?
Recently we reported on several Ubisoft Kinect quiz games outed by Gamestop, and now our friends over at 123Kinect have unearthed another: Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? 2012 Edition. Like Family Feud and The Price is Right before it, the game is heading to retail in a Kinect-only state, with Avatars for all characters including the host. We can't help but think a quiz show.. Continue Reading »
News: Deep Silver Shoots for the Stars with Winter Stars
It's the best we could do
In the upcoming slew of sports compilations, any game wanting to succeed needs something specific to stand out from the crowd. How about sports only set in the winter? That's Winter Stars in a nutshell. The shots below show off some of the sports on the way, with paraskiing, figure skating and more all set to use Kinect's full body-tracking. Winter Stars is due before 2011.. Continue Reading »
News: Japan Gets New Kinect Bundles Next Month
Will they come west?
Microsoft continues to tinker with its Xbox 360 and Kinect bundles, with Japan set to receive a new line-up next month. From 13th October Microsoft will offer two new packages in the country. A 4GB console and Kinect Value Pack for ¥29,800 ($388 / £247 / €285) or 250GB console and the same Value Pack for ¥39,800 ($519 / £330 / €380). The Value Pack itself includes.. Continue Reading »
News: Kinectimals Now with Bears - Now with More Bears
Yes, even more
Kinect launch hit Kinectimals is getting a new upgrade in the shape of Kinectimals Now with Bears, released on 14th October. Microsoft is teaming up with leading cub-stuffer Build-A-Bear Workshop to promote the game with some new exclusive toys. The chain will be offering four collectible bears starting at £15 each. Like the earlier Kinectimals plush toys, the bears contain.. Continue Reading »
News: This is How You Swim with Kinect and Michael Phelps
Get your nose plugs on
Of all the Kinect-related questions we get here at KINECTaku, by far the most asked is "just how are you supposed to swim standing up in Michael Phelps - Push the Limit?" Now let us answer that entirely justified question with a brand new video. Phelps himself features in the instructional video below, showing how to excite the crowd, perform a perfect dive and then.. Continue Reading »
News: New Nickelodeon Trailer Emerges Victorious
Become famous
Superstar actress, singer, dancer and all-around pre-teen icon Victoria Justice is beating equally talented youngsters like Justin Bieber in getting her own video game. Victorious: Time to Shine is due for launch in North America in November this year, and here's the first trailer of the game in action. Interestingly the dancing sections seem to differ from the standard Kinect.. Continue Reading »
News: Dead Space and The Sims 3 Pets Make Odd Bedfellows
In space, no one can hear you meow
EA has recently announced the exclusive content coming to The Sims 3 Pets Limited Edition, available to customers who pre-order with participating retailers. As well as strange cross-breeds like panda dogs and skunk cats, the Limited Edition also includes a Dead Space-inspired Isaac bobtail cat. If that doesn't convince you to pre-order, nothing will. The Sims 3.. Continue Reading »
News: Forza 4 Season Pass Puts You in the Driving Seat
Sorry
Following the lead of Gears of War 3's DLC-granting Season Pass, Microsoft has announced a similar scheme for anticipated racer Forza Motorsport 4. The pass costs 2,400 Microsoft Points and entitles holders to six pieces of add-on content to be released between November and April 2012. Promising 60 cars in total, the Season Pass knocks 30% off the cost of buying all the DLC separately, which.. Continue Reading »
