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First gesture-based XBLA title still in the dark


I was pretty eager to get my hands, or rather my flapping arms, on Totem Balls, the first  Xbox Live Arcade title to make use of the 360 camera for gesture-based gameplay. Totem Balls has a tropical island theme. You control a little a totem pole-looking character by moving your arms up and down at your sides (a motion that resembles the funky chicken) as he collect balls that balance on his head. Unfortunately, it turns out the still-unpriced Xbox 360 camera has the same studio-like light requirements as the Sony EyeToy, making the game basically unplayable in the dim, romantic glow of the Xbox Live Arcade booth -- much to the chagrin of the Microsoft staff on hand. Despite keeping the gaming press in the dark until the emergency floodlights arrive, they claim it's a superior product.

Tags: camera, E32006, gesture-based, live arcade, LiveArcade, motion-sensing, xbla, xbox 360, Xbox360

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