- Title: USA: Microsoft unveils motion-sensing game system the Xbox 360 Kinect
- Date: 15th June 2010
- Summary: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES (JUNE 14, 2010) (REUTERS) WIDE SHOT OF XBOX MEDIA BRIEFING STAGE VARIOUS OF AUDIENCE
- Embargoed: 30th June 2010 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Usa
- Country: USA
- Topics: Science / Technology
- Reuters ID: LVA5AHO9QNKLENE5GCIYYZEBL617
- Story Text: Microsoft celebrated the 10th birthday of its Xbox with much fanfare. The week of E3, the Electronics Entertainment Expo, was packed full of events promoting Microsoft's latest technology and games.
To kick off the week on Sunday (June 13) Microsoft hosted an over the top performance demonstrating their new motion-sensing controller, Kinect, as conceptualized by Cirque du Soleil.
On Monday (June 14), Microsoft unveiled the details of its new motion-sensing game system, Kinect, in more detail along with a sneak peek of upcoming titles at its annual media briefing leading up to E3. The Kinect system is a three-camera setup that plugs into an Xbox and allows for completely hands-free games and controlling the console with voice commands.
The new motion-sensing system, code named "Project Natal," was first announced at last year's E3. Analysts estimate the device, which will be in stores by this holiday season, will range from 50 to 200 dollars (USD). It will go on sale on November 4, 2010.
Dennis Durkin, Microsoft's COO of Interactive Entertainment, was excited with all of the new products.
"We've been working on this for a while," said Durkin. "Everything that we're doing this year is new. Whether it's the new console that you see behind me, the new 250 gig (gigabyte) hard drive which ships to stores today. The new Kinect system that we'll be launching this November which unlocks interactive gameplay for new audiences that you couldn't do before with a controller. And then all sorts of new games and services on our live network. So everything this year is new, it's a totally new experience and we're very pleased to bring it to market."
Kinect wasn't the only hardware on display, as executives showed off a more compact, higher-capacity Xbox console with built in wi-fi and a 250-gigabyte hard drive, which ships to stores on Monday (June 14) and will carry the same price tag of 299 dollars (USD).
Microsoft's ambition -- despite its spotty track record of engaging consumers outside of gaming -- is to make the Xbox the nexus of household entertainment. It already offers Netflix movies and Zune music and videos through its Xbox Live online subscription. Microsoft also struck a deal with sports network, ESPN to broadcast live sporting events into U.S. living rooms through the Xbox 360 games console, bypassing traditional cable providers. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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