Kinect Games – A Gaming Revolution
Over time, video games have become a major source of entertainment for children and adults alike. Everybody loves to play video games, maybe because video games allow one to do the impossible, like driving a car at break neck speed, taking on the role of a superhero, do somersaults, fly and even take part in shoot-em-ups. The world of video games has changed and evolved into a new type of gaming that now allows for controller free gameplay.
The latest accessory from Microsoft, Kinect, has made way for games that will allow you to control your game character the same way you would do in real life i.e. with hand gestures and body movements – that is what Kinect games are all about. The unique selling point of these games is that you do not need to hold any gaming device or gaming controller in your hands. All you need to do is stand in front of the screen and the motion camera fitted inside the Kinect accessory will read your body movements and control your game character accordingly.
Microsoft, has developed ten launch games for Xbox 360 Kinect accessory. These 10 Kinect games are of different genres to cater for a varied type of audience.
One of the most anticipated Kinect games is Star Wars. Star Wars on Kinect would literally change the way you have played the game in the past. Players can now battle with the Jedi using a light saber sword with real movements and motion-activated Force powers for a more immersive gaming experience. Kinect has a new interface for this game, whereby players will need to stand in front of the screen and move their hands the way they would move a real sword. The character in the game will mimic the movements onscreen. You do not hold any controller in your hands or push buttons. Hands free control has given a whole new meaning to the world of gaming.
Another of the launch games for Kinect is Dance Central, a game developed by MTV. Game play involves picking a song from a long list of tunes for players to mirror the on-screen avatar’s movements. In the game, the Kinect camera reads your full body movements and you score according to your moves. It is a great game just to have some fun and learn some cool dance moves along the way.
Kinect Joy Ride, as the name suggests is a racing game. Again, no remotes, no arcades, just sit in front of the screen and position your hands as if you are driving a car and you are good to go. Players navigate their way around a track by imitating steering wheel movements with their hands, and scoring extra points by leaning back and bending forward causing their vehicle to somersault when it’s airborne.
The major feature of Kinect is that it features a full body sensor and the capability to read even the slightest of movements, which really makes game play a pleasure. All of the Kinect games are aimed at a casual gaming audience and the absence of a control system makes it easy for anyone to join in the action using their own body movements.
Microsoft have high hopes that their new Kinect games will win over the affections of casual gamers, where the quality of the games will be paramount to success. Kinect’s hands-free gaming interface could well be Microsoft’s way of securing a piece of the massive casual games market.