We recently got some hands on time playing Microsoft’s new motion based Kinect at the Cannes Lions Advertising Festival. Just as Chris Kohler reported over at Game|Life, the interface definitely gets you off the couch causes some copious perspiration. And, yes it’s much like the Wii; your butt is no longer anchored to the futon and you’re actively engaging with your video games.� But the lack of any sort of physical controller is extremely odd. (Your body is scanned and tracked as your avatar mimics the movements you make in meatspace.) The self-conscious weirdness of reaching out into the air and gripping a non-existent steering wheel is something I’m not sure folks who spent the better parts of their childhoods gripping a Nintendo controller will readily take to.
And that’s a serious question that Kinect raises: is this active way of interacting with your video games sustainable? The fact that Wii Fit has sold over 22 million copies might seem to be a resounding “yes” but I’m not sure if it’s something that will translate over to games where you’re racing cars or blowing aliens up. Will you want to come home after working for eight hours, fire up Kinect and traipse around Reach, looking for the Covenant? Or would you rather gun down some Elites from the comfort of your couch? Unless it meant exercising Force powers, I think I’d rather have some sofa time.
After playing Kinect Joy Ride and Kinectimals for the better part of a half hour, I was a tad tired physically, but mentally wiped out. At the end of the day I’m not entirely sure if people will want to shell out $60 for a game that demands so much active participation. I can see Kinect becoming a fun little silo of games you play at parties on multiplayer mode. But for solo campaigns, I seriously doubt gamers will be able to maintain steady interest.
Full story at http://feeds.wired.com/~r/GearFactor/~3/N_9tCeooTNw/
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