Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Rare veteran George Andreas leaves Microsoft, joins Sony]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/30/rare-veteran-george-andreas-leaves-microsoft-joins-sony/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/30/rare-veteran-george-andreas-leaves-microsoft-joins-sony/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/30/rare-veteran-george-andreas-leaves-microsoft-joins-sony/#comments Rare veteran George Andreas leaves Microsoft, joins SonyFormer Rare game director George Andreas left Microsoft earlier this month to join Sony Computer Entertainment Europe. Andreas, who'd been with British developer Rare since 1996, is working as Creative Director at SCEE's London headquarters.

Andreas was creatively involved with much of Rare's work over the last 16 years, including the likes of GoldenEye, Banjo Kazooie, Perfect Dark Zero, and Viva Piñata. After the company was acquired by Microsoft in 2002, Andreas took on lead roles for Xbox 360 games, such as project leader and game director of launch game Kameo: Elements of Power, and creative director on Kinect Sports.

JoystiqRare veteran George Andreas leaves Microsoft, joins Sony originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 30 Jan 2013 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>george-andreaskameo-elements-of-powerkinect-sportslondonmicrosoftraresonysony-computer-entertainment-europeukWed, 30 Jan 2013 01:00:00 EST<![CDATA[UK pride Xbox Kinect bundle available in May]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/01/uk-pride-xbox-kinect-bundle-available-in-may/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/01/uk-pride-xbox-kinect-bundle-available-in-may/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/01/uk-pride-xbox-kinect-bundle-available-in-may/#comments ImageMicrosoft has revealed a distressed Union Jack Xbox bundle for the United Kingdom, featuring a flag-wrapped 4GB console, controller and Kinect. The bundle also includes Kinect Adventures and Kinect Sports, along with three months of Xbox Live gold membership. It marches to retail on May 25 for £249.99.

Don't live in the UK and still want to get your Union Jack on? Well, turns out GelaSkins has a similar (and prettier) Xbox wrapping available for $30. There's also the Stars and Stripes package for those who feel offended by all this non-Amurikan talk.

JoystiqUK pride Xbox Kinect bundle available in May originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 01 May 2012 18:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BritainkinectKinect-SportsmicrosoftUKxboxTue, 01 May 2012 18:15:00 EST<![CDATA[New Xbox bundle packs white Kinect, white controller]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/28/new-xbox-bundle-packs-white-kinect-white-controller/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/28/new-xbox-bundle-packs-white-kinect-white-controller/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/28/new-xbox-bundle-packs-white-kinect-white-controller/#comments Did you somehow end up with a white HDTV? If so, you can finally get a Kinect unit to match, as part of Microsoft's new "Xbox 360 Special Edition 4GB Kinect Family Bundle" (whew.) The bundle includes a 4GB 360, the white Kinect from the long-delayed Star Wars bundle, a white controller, copies of Kinect Sports and Kinect Adventures, and three months of Live for $300.

A "special edition" white Xbox 360 controller will also be available separately for $49.99. It appears to be glossy white. Note that this "special edition" controller has the normal d-pad, and not the improved version.

The bundle (and the controller) are shipping today worldwide -- except for Europe and Brazil, where Microsoft says they will be released "in the next few months."

JoystiqNew Xbox bundle packs white Kinect, white controller originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 28 Feb 2012 12:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>4gbbundlekinectkinect-adventureskinect-family-bundlekinect-sportsmicrosoftwhitexboxTue, 28 Feb 2012 12:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Buy Dance Central or Kinect Sports sequel, get original for half off on Amazon]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/28/buy-dance-central-or-kinect-sports-sequel-get-original-for-half/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/28/buy-dance-central-or-kinect-sports-sequel-get-original-for-half/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/28/buy-dance-central-or-kinect-sports-sequel-get-original-for-half/#comments If you're looking into jumping into either the Dance Central or Kinect Sports franchises sequel-first, Amazon's offering you a chance to catch up on your back catalog for peanuts. For a limited time, if you buy Dance Central 2 or Kinect Sports: Season 2, you can get their prequels for half-off.

Continue reading Buy Dance Central or Kinect Sports sequel, get original for half off on Amazon

JoystiqBuy Dance Central or Kinect Sports sequel, get original for half off on Amazon originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 28 Oct 2011 01:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazondance-centraldance-central-2harmonixkinectkinect-sportskinect-sports-season-2microsoftxboxFri, 28 Oct 2011 01:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Two select Kinect games for $60 from Amazon]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/05/two-select-kinect-games-for-60-from-amazon/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/05/two-select-kinect-games-for-60-from-amazon/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/05/two-select-kinect-games-for-60-from-amazon/#comments Amazon is currently offering two select Kinect titles for a combined price of $60. By "select," we mean precisely seven choices. Your best bet is probably Kinect Sports and ... Michael Jackson, maybe? Both the savings and the momentous choice are yours for the taking.

Continue reading Two select Kinect games for $60 from Amazon

JoystiqTwo select Kinect games for $60 from Amazon originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 05 May 2011 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazonkinectKinect-SportsmicrosoftxboxThu, 05 May 2011 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Free Xbox Live Gold this weekend, help out with a Guinness world record attempt]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/21/free-xbox-live-gold-this-weekend-help-out-with-a-guinness-world/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/21/free-xbox-live-gold-this-weekend-help-out-with-a-guinness-world/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/21/free-xbox-live-gold-this-weekend-help-out-with-a-guinness-world/#comments Even if you've never joined the prodigious ranks of the Xbox Live Gold subscribers, or whether you've simply allowed your honorable title to fall by the wayside, you can get a temporary pass to the Gold Zone this weekend. From today through Monday, free users will find their status upgraded, giving them access to the online multiplayer functionality usually reserved for their premium counterparts.

Of course, there's no such thing as a free lunch -- Microsoft is asking that folks participating in the freekend help break an extremely specific Guinness world record using Kinect Sports: "The most people running a virtual 100m dash at one time." That ... that can't be a very large number to beat, can it? Regardless, if you'd like to participate (and grab a free Avatar shirt at the same time), check out the details on Rare's blog.

JoystiqFree Xbox Live Gold this weekend, help out with a Guinness world record attempt originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 21 Apr 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>guinnesskinectKinect-Sportsmicrosoftrarexboxxbox-livexbox-live-goldThu, 21 Apr 2011 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Kinect Sports 'Calorie Challenge' DLC lets you play with your food]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/19/kinect-sports-calorie-challenge-dlc-lets-you-play-with-your-fo/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/19/kinect-sports-calorie-challenge-dlc-lets-you-play-with-your-fo/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/19/kinect-sports-calorie-challenge-dlc-lets-you-play-with-your-fo/#comments New DLC for Kinect Sports, coming April 29, will add a new mode called "Calorie Challenge." This, of course, uses the Kinect sensor to scan every Twinkie, Monte Cristo sandwich, and bowl of melted butter you eat, keeping a running tally of exactly how many calories you consume within a time limit.

Okay, we're kidding.

The Calorie Challenge is actually a mode in which you face off against anthropomorphized snack foods in a series of challenges, with the goal to burn off as many calories as that food typically contains. You'll compete against "Peppy Pizza" to burn off 302 calories, for example, while Steady Celery will provide seconds of competition with 25 calories.

Gallery: Kinect Sports (Calorie Challenge DLC)

Continue reading Kinect Sports 'Calorie Challenge' DLC lets you play with your food

JoystiqKinect Sports 'Calorie Challenge' DLC lets you play with your food originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 19 Apr 2011 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>calorie-challengedlckinectKinect-SportsmicrosoftrarexboxTue, 19 Apr 2011 10:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Kinect Sports dev seeks participants for Guinness World Records attempt]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/14/kinect-sports-dev-seeks-participants-for-guinness-world-records/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/14/kinect-sports-dev-seeks-participants-for-guinness-world-records/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/14/kinect-sports-dev-seeks-participants-for-guinness-world-records/#comments A Guinness World Records achievement for "most people running a virtual 100m dash at one time" will take place over Easter weekend, on April 23. According to Rare, a free Xbox Nations gamer pic should be available in the coming week. Downloading it will "automatically enter you into the record attempt."

Then, at the appointed time (listed after the break), all you need to do is pop in Kinect Sports and "complete a sprint mini-game while connected to Xbox Live." Make sure not to choose the entire track and field event from the menu or it won't count.

All who download the gamer pic and participate in the record attempt will be rewarded with the Guinness World Records avatar tee (pictured). Beyond that point, you can totally make up the reason you earned it: "Yeah, I totally got that for putting four pool balls in my mouth. You should see how many you can do!"

[Thanks, David]

Continue reading Kinect Sports dev seeks participants for Guinness World Records attempt

JoystiqKinect Sports dev seeks participants for Guinness World Records attempt originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 14 Apr 2011 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>guinness-world-recordsguinness-world-records-gamers-editionkinectKinect-SportsmicrosoftRarexboxThu, 14 Apr 2011 07:00:00 EST<![CDATA[DC Universe Online logs into UK top ten, Black Ops reacquires top spot]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/17/dc-universe-online-logs-into-uk-top-ten-black-ops-reacquires-to/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/17/dc-universe-online-logs-into-uk-top-ten-black-ops-reacquires-to/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/17/dc-universe-online-logs-into-uk-top-ten-black-ops-reacquires-to/#comments DC Universe Online flew into Chart-Track's UK sales chart this week and nipped a spot in the top ten. The PS3 and PC superhero simulator debuted in tenth place and, according to Chart-Track, is only the fourth retail title on PS3 to be online-only. The other internet-required games are MAG, Warhawk and SOCOM: US Navy Seals Confrontation.

The rest of the top ten is composed of the usual suspects playing musical chairs. Call of Duty: Black Ops is back on top, followed by FIFA 11 and the unstoppable Just Dance 2. Speaking of dance games, Harmonix's Dance Central is eyeing a spot in the top ten as it moves from 17 to 12 this week.

Check out the top ten after the break.

Continue reading DC Universe Online logs into UK top ten, Black Ops reacquires top spot

JoystiqDC Universe Online logs into UK top ten, Black Ops reacquires top spot originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 17 Jan 2011 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Call-of-Duty-Black-Opschart-trackchart-track-weeklyFIFA-11Just-Dance-2Kinect-Sportsmicrosoftnintendopcplaystationps3salesukwiiWii-Fit-PlusxboxMon, 17 Jan 2011 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Dance Central and Kinect Sports sell 1 million each in US]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/14/dance-central-and-kinect-sports-sell-1-million-each-in-us/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/14/dance-central-and-kinect-sports-sell-1-million-each-in-us/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/14/dance-central-and-kinect-sports-sell-1-million-each-in-us/#comments Microsoft's Aaron Greenberg has called Kinect launch titles Dance Central and Kinect Sports "breakout hits" for the publisher, announcing that each has accounted for one million units in US sales. Globally, the Kinect device has already achieved 8 million units shipped.

During Kinect's November launch month, Dance Central just missed making the top ten in US game sales for the month and was trailed by the Rare-developed Kinect Sports and Ubisoft's Your Shape: Fitness Evolved among the bestselling Kinect titles. Harmonix's dance game also just missed landing among our top ten games of 2010.

JoystiqDance Central and Kinect Sports sell 1 million each in US originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 14 Jan 2011 12:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Aaron-Greenbergdance-centralHarmonixkinectkinect-sportsmicrosoftNPDRaresalesxboxFri, 14 Jan 2011 12:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Xbox's David Dennis on December NPDs, 'best month ever for Xbox 360 hardware sales']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/13/xboxs-david-dennis-on-december-npds-the-best-month-ever-for-x/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/13/xboxs-david-dennis-on-december-npds-the-best-month-ever-for-x/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/13/xboxs-david-dennis-on-december-npds-the-best-month-ever-for-x/#comments Xbox 360 had a good year. It could've been exclusive hits like Halo Reach, which landed in the No. 3 spot on the top selling games of 2010, according to NPD. Or it could've been the Xbox 360 S console refresh which, since its unveiling at E3 last June, has remained on top of the monthly home console sales numbers for an impressive six months straight. Or maybe it was the Kinect, which shipped a whopping eight million units by the end of the year, and sold well over its five million unit goal.

In actuality, it was all three, and Xbox's David Dennis was making the media rounds tonight to talk about it. "We're super pleased with the response we saw," Dennis said, "and we're just working hard to get supply back on the shelves and keep January and February on track as well." During the second half of the December, Dennis said Microsoft resorted to air shipping consoles in to meet customer demand.

"For us, the focus was trying to get as much on the shelves before that last push before Christmas. It's not cheap to do things like that but we've got a bunch of really smart MBAs to figure out the right balance when to shift back to our traditional process." That traditional process is the far more affordable, but far slower, ocean-based freight. It's not like there aren't any more Xboxes to go around, retailers will simply have "fewer than [they] normally would have."

Continue reading Xbox's David Dennis on December NPDs, 'best month ever for Xbox 360 hardware sales'

JoystiqXbox's David Dennis on December NPDs, 'best month ever for Xbox 360 hardware sales' originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 13 Jan 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>christmasDance-CentralDavid-DenniskinectKinect-SportsmicrosoftNPDxboxThu, 13 Jan 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft contest pits UK Kinect Sports players against actual gold medalists]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/13/microsoft-contest-pits-uk-kinect-sports-players-against-actual-g/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/13/microsoft-contest-pits-uk-kinect-sports-players-against-actual-g/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/13/microsoft-contest-pits-uk-kinect-sports-players-against-actual-g/#comments Hey, UK-based readers: Do you feel like totally humiliating yourselves? You should look into Microsoft's "Game with Fame" competition, in which one lucky, Kinect Sports-playing family will compete in virtual track and field events against actual Olympians Linford Christie and Mark Lewis-Francis.

Continue reading Microsoft contest pits UK Kinect Sports players against actual gold medalists

JoystiqMicrosoft contest pits UK Kinect Sports players against actual gold medalists originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 13 Jan 2011 13:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>contestgame-with-famekinectKinect-Sportsmicrosoftolympicsraretrack-and-fieldxboxThu, 13 Jan 2011 13:50:00 EST<![CDATA[PSA: Kinect Sports demo out now for Xbox Live Gold members]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/24/psa-kinect-sports-demo-out-now-for-xbox-live-gold-members/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/24/psa-kinect-sports-demo-out-now-for-xbox-live-gold-members/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/24/psa-kinect-sports-demo-out-now-for-xbox-live-gold-members/#comments Tis the season to shame your familial relations in contests of virtual athletic prowess! If you're a Gold subscriber, you can now grab a free demo for Kinect Sports on the Xbox Live Marketplace -- just make sure that you don't completely crush your Maw-Maw. She deserves better, you know?

Continue reading PSA: Kinect Sports demo out now for Xbox Live Gold members

JoystiqPSA: Kinect Sports demo out now for Xbox Live Gold members originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 24 Dec 2010 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>demoKinect-Sportsmicrosoftrarexboxxbox-live-arcadexbox-live-marketplaceFri, 24 Dec 2010 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Free Kinect Sports 'Party Pack' DLC available now, Joy Ride DLC coming Jan. 4]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/14/free-kinect-sports-party-pack-dlc-available-now-joy-ride-dlc/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/14/free-kinect-sports-party-pack-dlc-available-now-joy-ride-dlc/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/14/free-kinect-sports-party-pack-dlc-available-now-joy-ride-dlc/#commentsIf you'd like to freshen up your Kinect Sports experience with fresh fruit and fresh ... chicken, head to the Xbox Live Marketplace right now. Microsoft has posted a free DLC suite, the "Party Pack."

The free download adds a "Challenge" feature to track friends' minigame scores. Appropriately, the DLC adds six new minigames: Super Striker (for Soccer), Pinvaders (for Bowling), Rapid Runner (for Track & Field), Target Smash (for Table Tennis), Fruit Splatter (for Volleyball), and King of the Ring (for Boxing). It also includes new games for the multiplayer Party Play mode, and three new "crazy" Party Play mascots: "Zippy Zombie" (okay, so maybe it's not all fresh), Champion Chicken, and Sportastico. Check after the break for descriptions of the minigames.

MS also announced that new DLC will arrive for Kinect Joy Ride on January 4. The "Chevrolet Car Pack" adds the Camaro, Corvette, and Cruze to your game. It's free -- all you'll have to do is ... select a Chevy ad in XBLM.

Update: Catch a trailer after the break -- a trailer that refers to the set as the "Samsung Party Pack."

Continue reading Free Kinect Sports 'Party Pack' DLC available now, Joy Ride DLC coming Jan. 4

JoystiqFree Kinect Sports 'Party Pack' DLC available now, Joy Ride DLC coming Jan. 4 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 14 Dec 2010 10:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advertisingbigparkchevroletdlckinectkinect-joy-rideKinect-Sportsmicrosoftparty-packrarexboxTue, 14 Dec 2010 10:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Dance Central tops Kinect's November software sales in US]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/09/dance-central-tops-kinects-november-software-sales-in-us/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/09/dance-central-tops-kinects-november-software-sales-in-us/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/09/dance-central-tops-kinects-november-software-sales-in-us/#comments Dance Central, Harmonix's full-body dance title for Kinect, cha-cha-chinged with sales in November. According to NPD, the game was #11 in overall sales for the month and the top-selling Kinect game as a SKU. Of course, by units, Kinect Adventures moved the most copies, as it was bundled with the peripheral, which sold over 2.5 million units globally in the month of November.

Although NPD generally no longer shares specific software sales, we were told by the company that Kinect Sports and Your Shape: Fitness Evolved were the second and third best-selling Kinect titles, respectively. For an audience stereotyped as lazy, gamers seem to have responded the most to three of the sweatiest Kinect games.

JoystiqDance Central tops Kinect's November software sales in US originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 09 Dec 2010 18:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dance-centralHarmonixKinectKinect-SportsmicrosoftNPDUbisoftxboxYour-Shape-Fitness-EvolvedThu, 09 Dec 2010 18:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Call of Duty: Black Ops breaks UK launch records]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/15/call-of-duty-black-ops-breaks-uk-launch-records/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/15/call-of-duty-black-ops-breaks-uk-launch-records/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/15/call-of-duty-black-ops-breaks-uk-launch-records/#commentshttp://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2010/11/black-opsunawareps3_530x330.jpg We already knew Call of Duty: Black Ops shattered day-one sales records in the UK, but let's just add a full week of intel to that with reports of 2 million units sold in the region over five days. Chart-Track estimates Activision-Blizzard's latest installment of the hit franchise took in a comfortable £81.9 million ($131.5M).

For some disturbing perspective, Black Ops grossed more during its launch than the whole UK entertainment software market did over the past couple weeks ... combined. According to Chart-Track, last week became the highest grossing week in UK entertainment software history, with £113.8 million in sales. The last record breaker was £107.6 million, back in week 52 of 2008. (What was the number one game then? Call of Duty: World at War.)

The record-breaking week was assisted by the launch of Microsoft's Kinect peripheral. Eight of the 11 UK Kinect launch titles debuted in the Top 40. The top premieres were Kinect Sports, Dance Central and Ubi's Motion Sports, which took fourth, 13th and 15th places, respectively. Check out the full UK top ten after the break.

Continue reading Call of Duty: Black Ops breaks UK launch records

JoystiqCall of Duty: Black Ops breaks UK launch records originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 15 Nov 2010 09:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BritainCall-of-Duty-Black-Opschart-trackchart-track-weeklydsFIFA-11football-manager-2011Just-Dance-2Kinect-Sportsmicrosoftnintendoplaystationps3UKwiixboxMon, 15 Nov 2010 09:37:00 EST<![CDATA[Jimmy Fallon gives everyone in his audience a Kinect]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/05/jimmy-fallon-kinect/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/05/jimmy-fallon-kinect/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/05/jimmy-fallon-kinect/#comments Giving out Kinect to a studio audience just seems like the classy thing to do these days. Oprah did it, and now Jimmy Fallon is doing it too. Last night on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, after demoing Kinect Sports and Dance Central with Microsoft's Kudo Tsunoda and Harmonix's Naoko Takamoto, the affable host announced that everyone in the audience would be leaving with an Xbox 360 Kinect bundle.

We're happy for the audience, but the event was overshadowed by another occurrence. It was something rarely seen on the mortal plane, something more precious than a unicorn: Kudo wasn't wearing sunglasses. Jimmy and Kudo actually discussed the missing eyewear before staring their play session, and it turns out he took off the shades for his mother. Say it with us: Awwwwwww.

Continue reading Jimmy Fallon gives everyone in his audience a Kinect

JoystiqJimmy Fallon gives everyone in his audience a Kinect originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 05 Nov 2010 16:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dance-centralJimmy-FallonKinectKinect-SportsKudo-Tsunodalate-night-with-jimmy-fallonmicrosoftxboxFri, 05 Nov 2010 16:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft and Mark Wahlberg team up to give Kinects to Boys and Girls Club]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/04/microsoft-and-mark-wahlberg-team-up-to-give-kinects-to-boys-and/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/04/microsoft-and-mark-wahlberg-team-up-to-give-kinects-to-boys-and/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/04/microsoft-and-mark-wahlberg-team-up-to-give-kinects-to-boys-and/#comments You don't have to tell Mark Wahlberg how to have a good time. The man is well versed in pleasant recreational activities, which made him the perfect candidate for a new program from Microsoft, who will donate Xbox 360 consoles and Kinect to the the Boys and Girls Club of America. "Thousands" of clubs across the country will receive the donation package, which includes the 4GB Xbox 360 S Kinect bundle and a copy of Kinect Sports.

"When I heard Xbox 360 wanted to give Kinect to Clubs across the country, I had to jump in and help," he said. Wahlberg is active in the Boys and Girls Club of America, having spent a majority of his youth at Clubs. The promotion is part of the Boys and Girls Club's initiative to promote exercise and healthy activity amongst youth. We've never been to a Boys and Girls Club, but we imagine they're largely open warehouse space, because Kinect kinda needs that to work.

JoystiqMicrosoft and Mark Wahlberg team up to give Kinects to Boys and Girls Club originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 04 Nov 2010 23:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>boys-and-girls-clubboys-and-girls-club-of-americakinectKinect-Sportsmark-wahlbergmicrosoftmicrosoft-kinectxboxThu, 04 Nov 2010 23:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Kinect Sports review: A first-round pick]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/04/kinect-sports-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/04/kinect-sports-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/04/kinect-sports-review/#comments Since the launch of the Wii with its bundled Wii Sports, Nintendo's competitors have been ready with sports compilations designed to show off their respective motion control technologies. Sports Champions was arguably the most successful part of PlayStation Move's launch lineup and now, Microsoft brings Kinect to market with a completely stand-alone title: Rare's Kinect Sports.

In my (significant) time with it, I found an actual game that manages to deftly side-step being just a collection of tech demos through its polish, presentation and wide variety of genuinely fun activities.

Gallery: Kinect Sports (11/4/10)

Continue reading Kinect Sports review: A first-round pick

JoystiqKinect Sports review: A first-round pick originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 04 Nov 2010 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>kinectKinect-SportsmicrosoftMicrosoft-Game-StudiosrarexboxThu, 04 Nov 2010 00:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Free Kinect Sports, Joy Ride for first 3,000 Kinect buyers at NYC launch]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/03/free-kinect-sports-joy-ride-for-first-3-000-kinect-buyers-at-ny/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/03/free-kinect-sports-joy-ride-for-first-3-000-kinect-buyers-at-ny/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/03/free-kinect-sports-joy-ride-for-first-3-000-kinect-buyers-at-ny/#commentsMicrosoft isn't just trying to bring families together in front of the TV with Kinect, it's also doing its best to bring thousands of New Yorkers together. The official launch event for the sensor will take place at the Times Square Toys R Us, and Microsoft is giving away substantial bonuses to early buyers.

The first 3,000 people to buy Kinects at the event will receive free copies of Kinect Sports and Kinect Joy Ride, along with a free year of Xbox Live Gold membership. And then, after all those hours of standing around, they'll get to go home and ... play games while standing. Random attendees will be handed prizes while in line, as well. Basically, what we're saying is you should go right now. Preferably sooner.

Continue reading Free Kinect Sports, Joy Ride for first 3,000 Kinect buyers at NYC launch

JoystiqFree Kinect Sports, Joy Ride for first 3,000 Kinect buyers at NYC launch originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 03 Nov 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Kinectkinect-joy-rideKinect-Sportslaunch-eventlaunch-partymicrosoftnew-york-citytoys-r-usxboxWed, 03 Nov 2010 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Greenberg: Kinect sales won't depend on review scores]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/29/greenberg-kinect-sales-wont-depend-on-review-scores/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/29/greenberg-kinect-sales-wont-depend-on-review-scores/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/29/greenberg-kinect-sales-wont-depend-on-review-scores/#comments Speaking to Eurogamer, Microsoft's Aaron Greenberg said that he expects Kinect to sell more units during its launch period than the Wii did when it launched in 2006. "We'll definitely sell more sensors than the Wii sold when it launched or the Xbox 360 sold when it launched," said Greenberg, though he doesn't necessarily believe that sales will be dependent on high review scores. He noted that Kinect offers "different types of titles and experiences" than what most core users are used to.

"The correlation between a review score for Halo: Reach and sales is very high, but Kinect Sports is more about just having fun," said Greenberg, adding that Microsoft would certainly like to see high review scores, though he doesn't expect "the same type of correlation between reviews and actual sales of the game." Greenberg's comments echo similar comments from EA's Peter Moore last year, when he stated that casual Wii game sales are more dependent on Amazon user reviews than Metacritic.

Check out the whole interview for Greenberg's thoughts on Steel Batallion, Black Ops versus Halo: Reach and PlayStation Move, which he doesn't see as direct competition for Kinect

JoystiqGreenberg: Kinect sales won't depend on review scores originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 29 Oct 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Aaron-GreenbergKinectKinect-SportsmicrosoftxboxFri, 29 Oct 2010 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Here are your first Kinect ads]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/21/here-are-your-first-kinect-ads/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/21/here-are-your-first-kinect-ads/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/21/here-are-your-first-kinect-ads/#comments Kick! Jump! Flail! All these actions -- and so, so many more -- await your first Kinect experience. As the first TV ads demonstrate, Kinect is meant not just for you and your family, but also your giant, brightly-lit living room. We started building home additions right after E3. What's your excuse?

Continue reading Here are your first Kinect ads

JoystiqHere are your first Kinect ads originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 21 Oct 2010 15:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advertisementcommercialkinectkinect-adventuresKinect-Sportsmicrosoftxboxxbox-liveThu, 21 Oct 2010 15:40:00 EST<![CDATA[North American Kinect launch window games rounded up]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/18/north-american-kinect-launch-window-games-rounded-up/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/18/north-american-kinect-launch-window-games-rounded-up/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/18/north-american-kinect-launch-window-games-rounded-up/#commentsFiled under: , ,

When you get your shiny new Kinect, what games will you get with it? Larry "Major Nelson" Hryb has provided a handy guide to the full Kinect launch lineup -- including launch day games and those arriving soon after. If you wagered there would be four sports minigame collections (Kinect Sports, Deca Sports Freedom, Game Party In Motion and MotionSports), you win!

The seventeen-game lineup also includes three dancing games (Dance Central, Zumba Fitness, and DanceMasters), four exercise games (Your Shape: Fitness Evolved, The Biggest Loser Ultimate Workout, EA Sports Active 2.0, and the aforementioned Zumba Fitness), and two 'boarding games (Adrenalin Misfits and Sonic Free Riders). See the full list after the break.

Major Nelson notes that the Xbox 360 launched in North America with 18 games, just one more than Kinect is launching with -- bearing out Shane Kim's comment that Microsoft would treat the Kinect launch like a new system. Or, it would, if this list didn't count the Kinect games coming out weeks after the Kinect release date as "launch games" vs. the 360's 18-game launch day. In any case, the Kinect has a lot of choices, even if they're all within a few categories.

Continue reading North American Kinect launch window games rounded up

JoystiqNorth American Kinect launch window games rounded up originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 18 Oct 2010 10:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adrenalin-misfitsdance-centraldancemastersdeca-sportsdeca-sports-freedomea-sports-active-2Game-Partygame-party-in-motionharry-potter-and-the-deathly-hallows-part-1kinectkinect-adventureskinect-joy-rideKinect-Sportskinectimalslaunch-daylaunch-lineupmajor-nelsonmicrosoftmotionsportssonic-free-ridersthe-biggest-loserxboxYour-Shape-Fitness-Evolvedzumba-fitnessMon, 18 Oct 2010 10:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Kinect Sports trailer enters the boxing ring]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/09/kinect-sports-trailer-enters-the-boxing-ring/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/09/kinect-sports-trailer-enters-the-boxing-ring/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/09/kinect-sports-trailer-enters-the-boxing-ring/#comments During PAX, Rare unveiled another sport from its upcoming Kinect Sports: boxing. You can see a few snippets of it in the latest trailer, embedded after the break, as well as some new screens. Rare promises that more additional sports will be revealed at TGS next week. Our hope? Ribbon dancing.

Continue reading Kinect Sports trailer enters the boxing ring

JoystiqKinect Sports trailer enters the boxing ring originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 09 Sep 2010 13:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Kinect-SportsmicrosoftMicrosoft-Game-StudiosrarexboxThu, 09 Sep 2010 13:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Sources: Kinect beta kits going out, Dashboard update live for participants (with pics!) [Update: and video!]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/26/sources-kinect-beta-kits-going-out-dashboard-update-live-for-p/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/26/sources-kinect-beta-kits-going-out-dashboard-update-live-for-p/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/26/sources-kinect-beta-kits-going-out-dashboard-update-live-for-p/#commentsFiled under: , ,

That email purportedly sent out by Microsoft a couple weeks back inviting its recipients into a Kinect beta program? Yeah -- it was legit. Joystiq has received corroborating evidence confirming the program, including pictures of the promised Kinect-enabled Dashboard update running on a participant's retail console. In them, you can clearly see the flatter presentation, new mini-guide and revamped Avatar editor -- complete with a re-proportioned Avatar.

Our tipsters clearly didn't read the included guidelines, pictured in the gallery bellow. Apart from the laundry list of methods via which participants aren't supposed to talk about the program, there's confirmation that Kinect hardware is indeed part of the beta, "is being packed" and will presumably be on its way to testers soon. These same sources report that the beta support site mentions Kinect Adventures, Kinect Sports and Kinect Joy Ride as titles they can expect to receive for testing purposes.

We'll have more on the program as its participants continue to refuse acknowledgment of Microsoft's terms and conditions. [Update 8/27, 9am: And we've got a video of the new Dash posted just after the break, featuring much more than the boot-up screen. Thanks, Bradley!]

Gallery: Kinect beta dashboard (8/26/10)

Continue reading Sources: Kinect beta kits going out, Dashboard update live for participants (with pics!) [Update: and video!]

JoystiqSources: Kinect beta kits going out, Dashboard update live for participants (with pics!) [Update: and video!] originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 26 Aug 2010 19:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Avatarbetabigparkdashboard-updatedashboard-update-fall-2010good-science-studiokinectkinect-adventureskinect-joy-ridekinect-sportsmicrosoftMicrosoft-Game-StudiosrarexboxThu, 26 Aug 2010 19:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Kinect Experience tour is coming to your town]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/15/kinect-experience-tour-is-coming-to-your-town/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/15/kinect-experience-tour-is-coming-to-your-town/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/15/kinect-experience-tour-is-coming-to-your-town/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Okay, so the "Kinect Experience" tour is coming to your town -- or at least within a reasonable driving distance. That said, from July on through the end of October, the Kinect Experience mobile demo tour will stop off in major metropolitan areas across the country, giving gamers an early taste of Kinectimals, Kinect Sports, Kinect Joy Ride, Kinect Adventures and Dance Central -- ahead of the device's November 4 launch.

There are a total of 32 stops on the tour. For the full list of cities and dates, hit the break.

Continue reading Kinect Experience tour is coming to your town

JoystiqKinect Experience tour is coming to your town originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 15 Jul 2010 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dance-centralharmonixKinect-Adventureskinect-experiencekinect-experience-mobile-demo-tourkinect-joy-ridekinect-sportskinectimalsmicrosoftxboxThu, 15 Jul 2010 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Rare discusses new challenges of Kinect development]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/14/rare-discusses-new-challenges-of-kinect-development/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/14/rare-discusses-new-challenges-of-kinect-development/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/14/rare-discusses-new-challenges-of-kinect-development/#commentsNick Burton Twenty-five years ago, Rare founders Chris and Tim Stamper had to reverse engineer a Japanese Famicom development kit in order to make the early NES game Slalom. Today, at the Develop Conference in Brighton, Rare Talent Director Nick Burton outlined some of the very different challenges the company has run into in the developing of Kinect Sports for Microsoft.

"Kinect was a no-brainer as far as we were concerned," Burton said. "Just the opportunities it brought ... because it removes one layer between you and the computer." Burton said that Rare has always been interested in technology and game design that "is trying to remove that barrier to entry, trying to get that fun experience the entire family could have, but also getting the fidelity gamers could love."

The problem with older motion control solutions Rare has worked with -- like accelerometers and even the Power Glove -- was that the fidelity wasn't there, Burton said. Rare tried to fix this for years by augmenting the original Xbox Live Vision Camera with a PlayStation-Move-style light-up handheld wand made out of a supermarket vitamin tin (pictured above). The first-person spell-casting game they made for the wand, Soulcatcher, never got out of the prototype stage, but it did go a long way to "prove you could have that kind of hardcore depth of experience with this kind of control scheme," Burton said.

Gallery: Kinect Sports

Continue reading Rare discusses new challenges of Kinect development

JoystiqRare discusses new challenges of Kinect development originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 14 Jul 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>develop-2010Kinect-SportsmicrosoftMicrosoft-Game-StudiosNick-BurtonRareSoulcatcherxboxWed, 14 Jul 2010 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Press the Pele button to see Kinect Sports soccer footage]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/14/press-the-pele-button-to-see-kinect-sports-soccer-footage/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/14/press-the-pele-button-to-see-kinect-sports-soccer-footage/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/14/press-the-pele-button-to-see-kinect-sports-soccer-footage/#commentsKinect Sports soccer As part of a Develop Conference talk on the lessons learned from developing Kinect Sports, Rare Talent Director Nick Burton showed a short video of the near-final version of Kinect Sports' soccer mini-game. The clip shows how control jumps between different teammates as the player passes the ball, with the Xbox 360 AI controlling player movement automatically (a la Wii Sports tennis). Check it out after the jump.

Continue reading Press the Pele button to see Kinect Sports soccer footage

JoystiqPress the Pele button to see Kinect Sports soccer footage originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 14 Jul 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>develop-2010KinectKinect-SportsmicrosoftNick-BurtonRarexboxWed, 14 Jul 2010 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Walmart offering $200 Kinect bundles, includes game and gift card]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/13/walmart-offering-200-kinect-bundles-includes-game-and-gift-car/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/13/walmart-offering-200-kinect-bundles-includes-game-and-gift-car/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/13/walmart-offering-200-kinect-bundles-includes-game-and-gift-car/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The saga of the ambiguous price point for Microsoft's Kinect continues today with a new hardware bundle from Walmart. For $199.99, shoppers can pre-order the peripheral itself along with one of the device's launch titles, including Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part One, Dance Central, Joy Ride, Kinectimals, Kinect Sports and Kinect Adventures. Shoppers can also grab another game from this list for an additional $60 (or $50 for Harry Potter). The bundle also includes a $30 Walmart eGift Card.

It's worth noting that Walmart's $60 price point for Kinect software and $150 price for the device itself corroborates listings we've seen from other retailers. Of course, Microsoft has yet to confirm any official pricing details for the motion-sensing peripheral -- still, with that free gift card, Walmart's offer seems like the most cost-effective one to date. Unless, of course, Kinect ends up being cheaper than $150, in which case, just tell us the freaking price already.

JoystiqWalmart offering $200 Kinect bundles, includes game and gift card originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 13 Jul 2010 12:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bundledance-centralharry-potter-and-the-deathly-hallows-part-1joy-ridekinectkinect-adventureskinect-sportskinectimalsmicrosoftpricepricingwalmartxboxTue, 13 Jul 2010 12:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Kinect library for Xbox 360 revealed by USA Today]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/13/kinect-library-for-xbox-360-revealed-by-usa-today/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/13/kinect-library-for-xbox-360-revealed-by-usa-today/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/13/kinect-library-for-xbox-360-revealed-by-usa-today/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Update: Oops! It looks like USA Today jumped the gun on the announcement and has since pulled the piece from its site. Stay tuned for Microsoft's official unveiling later.

USA Today has spilled the proverbial beans on Microsoft's Natal project -- not only has the paper confirmed the Kinect product name, but they've posted a few of the games in the pipeline for the system. Here we go:
  • Kinectimals features over 20 different virtual pets, including lions, tigers, and cheetahs, to play with or raise.
  • Joyride has returned to life as a controller-free racing game, apparently.
  • Kinect Sports will offer sport games to play: "boxing, bowling, beach volleyball, track and field, soccer and table tennis." For each one, you will make motions to play the games.
  • Kinect Adventures has a river raft and obstacle course to navigate -- this is likely the demo we saw last week.
  • MTV Games will release Dance Central, where you can cut a virtual rug.
  • And there will be more games announced later featuring both Disney characters and Star Wars characters, in conjunction with Disney and LucasArts, respectively.
Marc Whitten even namedrops Nintendo in USA Today's piece, but he says that without a controller, Kinect will be "fundamentally different." We'll keep our eyes open for these games all this week, so stay tuned.

Thanks, Jake!

JoystiqKinect library for Xbox 360 revealed by USA Today originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 13 Jun 2010 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dance-centraldisneye3-2010joy-ridejoyridekinectkinect-adventureskinect-sportskinectimalslucasartsmicrosoftstar-warsxboxxbox-360Sun, 13 Jun 2010 20:30:00 EST