Tag Archives: Microsoft Kinect

Microsoft announce Kinect launch date and Xbox Live for Windows Mobile

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Kinect – the controller free device for the Xbox 360 – will be available in the UK from 10th November Microsoft have confirmed.  They’ve also revealed that Xbox Live will be coming to Windows mobile phones before Christmas, which could in theory provide Train2Game students with more opportunities to publish games. The announcements about Kinect and Xbox Live for mobile phones come before Microsoft’s pre-Gamescom event today.

Kinect for Xbox 360 is having its European premiere at Gamescom 2010, where several new games for the hands free device are expected to be launched. Microsoft say this will include more than fifteen exclusive Kinect titles.

Speaking before the show, Chris Lewis, Vice President, Interactive Entertainment Business, Microsoft Europe was of course keen to speak about Kinect.

“We are bringing the Kinect experience to Europe for the first time at Gamescom because this is the biggest show in the region and we’re committed to investing in Europe and the critical role it plays in Xbox’s global success.

With Kinect launching on November 10, it’s set to not only transform our business but also change how we use entertainment.

With Kinect, YOU become the controller, giving you the choice in how you and your friends navigate entertainment and gaming experiences. We’re already seeing a high level of anticipation in Europe with sales of the Kinect ready Xbox 360 250GB creating an all-time record weekly market share.”

The Microsoft Europe Vice President then moved away from Kinect and went on to discuss Xbox Live coming to mobile phones.

“This is a crucial time in expansion for Xbox 360, in terms of new audiences, new markets for Xbox LIVE and multiple platforms. With Xbox LIVE on Windows Phone 7 we are bringing the quality, consistency and community of the Xbox experience to gamers on the go.”

With Xbox Live games launching on Windows phones, Microsoft will be looking to compete with the highly successful iPhone which has seen games sold in the millions. Could Xbox Live for Windows phones also perhaps provide Train2Game students with another avenue to promote games?

Of course, Microsoft have more than Kinect for Xbox 360 and Xbox Live for Windows Phone to promote at GamesCom, as Chris Lewis points out

“With Age of Empires Online, Fable III and new games still in development, we’re also bringing social, connected gaming experiences to all new audiences on the PC. When you look at what we are bringing to the market this year, with the magic of Kinect, alongside our blockbuster line-up of games, including the biggest game for 2010, Halo: Reach, we’re confident that Xbox 360 has something for all the family and will be the gaming and entertainment console of 2010 and beyond.”

So Train2Game, what do you think about Microsoft’s pre GamesCom announcements? Will you be buying Kinect for Xbox 360 on November 10th? And do you believe developing games for Xbox Live for Windows Phone would benefit your future career as a Games Designer, Games Developer or Games Artist & Animator?

Leave your thoughts about Microsoft, Kinect for Xbox 360 and Xbox Live for Windows mobile here or on the Train2Game forum.

Sony E3 Press Conference – The key announcements

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Like  Microsoft’s presentation before it, Sony’s press conference not only saw key titles get release dates, but also full details on their own motion controller – the PlayStation Move.

In surprising – but welcome on this side of the Atlantic – twist, the PlayStation Move will be available in Europe on September 15th this year, four days before it’s released in the United States. The motion controller and PlayStation eye will be available in a bundle for €59.99 – a price in pounds sterling is yet to be revealed, but it’ll be much lower in cost than Microsoft’s Kinect.

Speaking at the E3 press conference, Sony President and CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment of America Jack Tretton, added that 40 developers are currently working on Move titles. Hopefully some of these will be innovative games, and the type that Train2Game students – be they a Games Designer, Games Developer, or Games Artist & Animator – would be proud to work on.

In non-Move related news, several of the PlayStation 3’s flag ship titles we’re given release dates including the long awaited – and long delayed lest we forget! – Gran Turismo 5. The racer will be available in the USA from Novemer 2nd with a trailer revealing the Top Gear test track as one of the circuits. Jack Tretton also revealed that the game will be fully 3D compatible.

In other PlayStation 3 games news, Killzone 3 will be released in February 2011 – slightly earlier than thought, while it was announced there will be PS3 exclusive content for Assassin’s Creed’s Brotherhood, Medal of Honour and Dead Space 2. There were also new details about the much anticipated Little Big Planet 2.

However, perhaps the biggest surprise of the show so far, was that Valve’s Gabe Newell himself appeared on stage to announce that Portal 2 will be coming to the PlayStation 3. It’ll be connected to Valve’s powerful Steamworks service with the PlayStation 3 being the only system doing so. It represents a huge turnaround for Gabe Newell – previously one of Sony’s consoles biggest critics. While on stage he joked “I’d like to thank everyone at Sony for their hospitality and not repeatedly punching me in the face.”

So, that’s a quick round up of Sony’s E3 Press Conference? Are you impressed? If so what are you looking forward to? As usual, leave your comments here or on the Train2Game forum.

Microsoft E3 Press Conference – The key announcements

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Last night saw Microsoft present the first major presentation of E3, and boy did they deliver.  The press conference kicked off with Senior Vice President Don Mattrick saying that 2010 will be “a year of transformation” and will ‘transform the way you play games and connect to friends and family.’

Of course, Microsoft’s biggest claim to transforming the way we play – and perhaps design and develop games – comes with the introduction of the Kinect, the motion controller for the Xbox 360.

Kinect – the device formerly know as Project Natal – will be released in the United States on Thursday, November 4th with 15 exclusive title’s including the Rare developed Kinetic Sports. No European date has been announced yet, but it’s likely it’ll be some way behind the USA if it follows the pattern of the new Xbox 360 Slim. While the new console is ships in the United States today, it won’t be available this side of the Atlantic Ocean until July 16th.

Train2Game Game Designers, Game Developers and Game Artist & Animators will no doubt be encouraged by Microsoft’s Phil Spencer stating “Microsoft Games Studios is constantly looking to partner with talented new development partners.” Perhaps if you play your cards right, you could be developing games exclusively for the Xbox 360 in the years to come.

In addition to announcements about Kinect and the Xbox 360 Slim, a number of highly anticipated games were given release dates.  Peter Molyneux himself took to the stage in Los Angeles to reveal that Fable III will be available on October 26th this year. Meanwhile, Dead Space 2 executive producer Steve Papoutsis revealed that the horror sequel will be released on January 25th 2011.

These are just some of the many announcements made last night, and E3 isn’t even in full swing yet with Nintendo and Sony still to give presentations today at 5 p.m. and 8.pm. respectively – that’s the British times anyway!

So it’s over to you. Are you impressed by Microsoft’s announcements? If so, what are you most looking forward to? Kinect The Xbox 360 Slim? As usual, let us know either in the comments section below, or on the Train2Game Forum.