Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITION
Microsoft Kinect highlight of opening E3 presser
DAMIAN DOVARGANES / AP PHOTO Enlarge Image
Microsoft demonstrates its Xbox Live Kinect's voice feature, that can "pause" or "play" when watching a movie or song on the Xbox instead of reaching for the remote during the 2010 Xbox 360 media briefing at the Wiltern Theater, Monday, June 14, 2010, in Los Angeles.
LOS ANGELES - Microsoft was first out of the gate today with their major press conference, and there was no shortage of surprises and stunning moments.
The star of the show was Microsoft Kinect, the final title for the controller-free gaming experience called Project Natal during development.
Related Items
Critics were saying pre-show that Microsoft really needed to wow the gaming public, and media, to influence others to hit critical mass come holiday shopping season. It's clear from the reaction in our ballroom that they wowed 'em.
"No barriers, no learning curves..." was the branding slogan, and Kinect lives up to the promise.
The motion-detection system, combined with accurate voice-recognition software, ensures instant interaction with the Xbox in movies, games, social networking and more. With dance, sports and fitness titles ready at launch, it's obvious that Kinect is a throwdown to Nintendo and the Wii system.
Titles for Kinect include Kinectimals, a pet-care sim that was incredibly adorable in the demo; Kingdom, for the medieval gamer in all of us; Dance Control from Harmonix (which may get me up and learning how to boogie) and Metal Gear Solid: Rising, a stunningly violent yet poetic title involved nasty swordplay. Don't forget the new partnership with Lucas Arts, and the Star Wars title slated for release in 2011. Light sabre battles with Darth Vader... oh, yes they did.
Taking all controllers out of the mix is the new frontier in entertainment, and based on the demo, Microsoft nailed it.
A surprise at the end of the presser was the unveiling of a new, streamlined Xbox with a 250 GB hard drive and a built-in Wireless N router. It's available to retailers today for the same price as the 360 Elite.
History
Updated on Monday, June 14, 2010 at 2:56 PM CDT:
Adds press conference details, embed of live video feed replay
-
WFP Hockey
Download our new hockey app for the iPhone for Winnipeg Jets updates
-
Editor's Bulletin
Sign up for daily bulletins from editor Margo Goodhand
-
Winnipeg Jets
All things NHL on our Jets landing page
-
Twitter
Follow our reporters and our news feeds on Twitter
-
News Cafe
Check out the menu, read our blog posts or get info on coming events
-
Facebook Fanpage
Follow our Facebook Fanpage for story links, contests and special events
Ads by Google
- Back to Top
- Return to Latest News
Poll
Most Popular
- Piers Morgan blasts 'gruesome' Madonna
- RCMP receptionist told Stobbe wife was dead
- Search is on for man seen leaving the scene where two Alberta Mounties were shot
- City family donates $1 million for endowed research chair in cardiology
- Province rules out reports of cougar in Transcona
- Census 2011 : Immigrant influx boosts Manitoban population
- Should the federal government be spending $7.5 million on the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee?
- LeAnn Rimes in pain following 'minor surgery'
- US teen gets life in prison for killing 9-year-old; called the murder "pretty enjoyable"
- Slain woman appears before jury on video
- Piers Morgan blasts 'gruesome' Madonna
- Clothing chain pulls Caterpillar boots to protest closure of London, Ont., plant
- Three winning tickets sold for Friday's $50 million Lotto Max jackpot
- Woman sexually assaulted during noon-hour in Exchange District
- Woman's car stolen at gunpoint at St. Vital mall, police say
- Eleven people killed after truck hits van in southwestern Ontario
- 'This is so silly': Mom and Dad tell story of baby Zade, born on side of Highway 59
- Stobbe said slaying during shopping trip 'strange': sister-in-law
- Tactical squad storms St. Vital house
- Restaurant Dubrovnik may be closed for good
- Do you smoke marijuana?
- Driver dead after SUV goes over Disraeli Bridge
- George Clooney's prank could end Pitt's career
- Piers Morgan blasts 'gruesome' Madonna
- Tina Maze strips down to her sports bra to send out underwear message: 'Not your business'
- Clothing chain pulls Caterpillar boots to protest closure of London, Ont., plant
- Minor earthquake strikes near Manitoba
- Car's plunge off Disraeli fatal
- Two children, two women die in fire
- Kate Beckinsale's weight fears over Underworld catsuit
- Harper driven by libertarian ideology, not reality
- Province rules out reports of cougar in Transcona
- OMG! Candy kings back at it
- Census 2011 : Immigrant influx boosts Manitoban population
- Easy, economical, healthy soup
- Original Joe's, Elephant & Castle expanding
- Task force to review 2011 flood
- Winnipeg software company ranked top employer
- Tassimo brewers and espresso packages recalled amid rupture, burn concerns
- Lesson about war, power told with Shaw's comic touch
- Swedish bunny's sheep herding skills becomes click-monster on YouTube
- League encourages hazing secrecy
- Northern fishing lodge destroyed by fire
- Police target drivers talking on cellphones, texting
- Harper driven by libertarian ideology, not reality
- Obama torn by conflicting allies
- 'This is so silly': Mom and Dad tell story of baby Zade, born on side of Highway 59
- Minor earthquake strikes near Manitoba
- Time, it appears, is on Assad's side
- Woman's car stolen at gunpoint at St. Vital mall, police say
- Minor earthquake strikes near Manitoba
- Paddler Starkell was modern-day voyageur
- Driver dead after SUV goes over Disraeli Bridge
- Car's plunge off Disraeli fatal
- Canadian woman 'badly injured' in Mexico, local media report apparent beating
- Winnipeg mother watches as car stolen with child inside
- Local shooting spoofed on SNL
- Swedish bunny's sheep herding skills becomes click-monster on YouTube
- League encourages hazing secrecy
- The cost of calories: It's expensive to eat healthily
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.
The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010; View the changes. New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.