Microsoft Game Studio bossman Phil Spencer has confirmed that Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary Edition will have some sort of Kinect integration.
During an interview with GameStop, Spencer says that he believes “Kinect will be important to all genres of games, be it racing games with Forza, combat games like Ryse. Even games like Halo Anniversary has Kinect integration.”
Well, there you go.
Spencer didn’t drop any more deets, but if Halo: Combat Evolved will have Kinect support, you can bet your grandma’s knickers Halo 4 will as well. Thoughts?
Really though—this frightens me. It actually resembles the head of an android of sorts; a possessed, brain sucking android that enjoys watching people thrash and whip their bodies around.
It also looks like Wall-E.
But in all seriousness, I really am enjoying Kinect, particularly Dance Central.
Folks, I am having an absolute BLAST with Dance Central. Sure, the game has done its fair share of reminding me that I am of Caucasian descent (ie; my rhythm is off more often than not) but in no way is that deterring me from pumping out one to three hours per night of dancing to Pokerface, Funkytown, Crank That and everything in between.
That creates a disturbing mental image, doesn’t it?
But that’s what I enjoy SO much about Dance Central; no matter your skill level, the moves are broken down in such a way that *most* of the moves are easy to learn, or to master with practice. During Break it Down mode (aka training mode) you have four chances to perfect a move before learning the next. If you fail four times while practicing the move at regular speed, the game ushers you onto the next move. However, you have the option of practicing the move in slow-mo as many times as you like.
And this game will kick your ass. If you put forth the effort, prepare to sweat buckets. People may think I jest when I say Dance Central is my newest workout routine, but I’m not. There’s a reason I play Dance Central in tennis shoes, shorts and a tank top.
Tomorrow, Kinect hits shelves. And I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t excited.
But, excited how?
When I think of setting up Kinect in my room and twisting and contorting my body around like a madman, it’s exciting, but it’s definitely not the same feeling I would get if I were to, let’s say, receive an advanced copy of a highly anticipated title.
Like, some of the things Kinect can do sounds cool, and I’ve dinked around with it a few times to know it’s fun enough. But at the same time I know it’s not going to deliver that deep and immersive videogame experience I want and crave when gaming on a console with an actual controller (my body will never replace a dpad and ten buttons. I don’t care what you say Microsoft) but it will deliver an, uh, “amusing” party experience (I mean, come on, have you seen me dance?) and will ultimately give me the chance to play with a baby Tiger named Skittles.
As a gamer, and as someone infatuated with this industry, I can’t help but be intrigued by whatever hardware or peripheral, no matter how gimmicky, is pumped out (sorry, Ubisoft— but your Wii drawing tablet doesn’t do it for me) and I’m probably a sucker because of it. In fact, I know I am but that doesn’t deter from the fact that I’m going to buy Kinect and Dance Central during my lunch break tomorrow.
So, I’m curious as to what your thoughts are and where Kinect stands on your priority list. Let me know!
I’m not afraid to make a fool of myself (you should have seen me on the Just Dance stage at PAX Prime). In fact, I kind of enjoy it. Dance Central practically SCREAMS “Hey Britt! Come over here make a fool of yourself!”, so it would only make sense that I’m excited for it.
Developed by Harmonix (you know, the guys responsible for Rock Band), Dance Central is a launch title for Kinect.
In it, you dance. Derp.
I’ll admit: I’m n00b when it comes to the “dancing” genre, to include the dancing genre of video games and the dancing genre of life. But that won’t stop me. Especially with this tracklist.
My friend made another Kinect spoof, and this time I got to play along.
I suck at FPS. I just can’t really grasp where to look. I’m learning, but I still suck. That said, the things I do in this video are just acting. I may be bad, but I’m not an absolute moron.
Would YOU play Halo for Kinect?
You’ll see me playing all sorts of games (including some FPS) on the 16th for Extra Life.
EDIT: The video’s on Reddit! Won’t you spare an upvote?
The Zaxy girls are all eagerly anticipating PAX, but for different things. Here are the top 5 things I’m most looking forward to. Be on the lookout for Britt and Kristina’s coming up soon! And if you’re at PAX, follow @Zaxydotcom and @ZaxyTara to find out where I’ll be and when!
1. Dungeons and Dragons WOTC always comes up with something to bring the boys (and the girls) to the yard, and it sounds like they’ve outdone themselves again. They will have a freakin carriage full of things like monsters and Jones soda (best combination ever?) outside of the convention hall. Plus, they’ll be doing all types of demos and games. I won’t have time for the full Gamma World demo, but I am looking forward to the D&D convention delve of “Lair of the Dread Witch” featuring characters from D&D Essentials. And I’ll probably end up buying some more dice. I dont need more, but darn it, they’re just so pretty!
2. Controller-Free Gaming Ok, I know some of you are hating on the Kinect. I get it. It’s not hardcore gaming. But I’m not a hardcore gamer. I like stuff that makes my friends look silly at parties and help me stay active while I’m inside “playing video games”. And honestly, Kinect and other controller-free gaming is a great way to test out technology that can end up morphing into something way cooler. I’m picturing Jetsons-style living. It will be amazing.
Kinect’s supposed to have a pretty awesome and flashy set-up at PAX. The Zaxy girls are also psyched for our demo of Kung-Fu Live, which puts camera tech and controller-free gaming into a multiplayer Kung Fu battle that will GUARANTEE that we have a great time and all look ridiculous.
3. Meeting People Whether they’re bloggers, fans, developers, or random guys who jump on top of me to get a flying free t-shirt, I’m excited to meet them. I will take pictures with people in funny costumes, trade business cards with businessy folks, and chug beers with wizards at the Tri-Wizard Drinking Tournament. I can’t wait. Going to PAX? Please say hi! Take a picture! Tweet at us! Challenge us in a game!
4. Free Stuff I’m a sucker for free stuff. And PAX has enough free stuff to keep me happy for days. Rumor has it that Death Spank will have ACTUAL thongs of virtue. So I’m pretty much set for life.
5. Zaxy Party! We partied it up at PAX East, but this time PAX is in our hometown, and we’re hosting our own party. Place: Neumos on Capitol Hill Time: 7pm – 2am Major Nelson will be there–will you? RSVP now to be in the drawing to be a part of our Geek-Off hosted by Ken Jennings. He’ll test your smarts and stamina in exchange for some wicked prizes. We also have bands and food and drink sponsors. What are you waiting for? RSVP!
Overall, PAX is going to be a blast. I already have demos set up with Alienware, J!nx, Kung-Fu Live, Portal 2, Tripwire, Slam Bolt Scrappers, and Glass and have a few more in the works. And in case you haven’t heard, there will be a DeLorean there in honor of TellTale’s Back to the Future game! OMG.
Ahh, now that’s some good clean gaming fun, courtesy of Zaxy lady Kristina, and one of my BFFs Sara.
Now, I’m pretty excited to give the Kinect a try, but it’s because I know the Kinect isn’t meant for hard-core gamers. If you want to try out some new technology and have a good time, try it. If you want to play an intense game, it probably won’t be your console.
But I do love these videos, courtesy of LaughPong. I had the pleasure of being in some that will be released soon, such as Kinect: Dancing with the Hoff, and Kinect: Halo. Just wait.
Check out more Kinect spoofs at Youtube.com/laughpong and let me know what game YOU would want to see played on Kinect!
If you live in the United States and simply cannot wait until November to try Kinect, you may be in luck. Select Macy’s (of all places) nationwide will have Kinect available for your body flailing pleasure. Random, out of the blue places will be hosting Kinect as well. What better way to burn off those calories from the Taste of Edmonds-Food Festival than to play Dance Central, amirite?
Check out the list:
East Coast
July 17–18 Manhattan, NY Macy’s
July 20–22 East Falmouth, MA Barnstable County Fair
July 24–25 Manhattan, NY Seaport-Lower Manhattan Entertainment Area
July 28–Aug. 1 Washington, DC Six Flags America
Aug. 4–6 Canton, OH Football Hall of Fame – Rib Burnoff
Aug. 7–8 Canton, OH Football Hall of Fame Festival Weekend
Aug. 11–15 Chicago, IL Air Show/Navy Pier
Aug. 19–21 Detroit, MI Woodward Dream Cruise – Auto Festival
Aug. 26–30 St. Paul, MN Minnesota State Fair
Aug. 30–Oct. 24 Tampa, FL Westfield Citrus Park Shopping Mall
Sept. 3–6 Indianapolis, IN Rib America Festival
Sept. 10–13 Nashville, TN Tennessee State Fair
Sept. 15–16 Atlanta, GA Atlantic Station – Entertainment Plaza
Sept. 18–19 Atlanta, GA Atlanta Arts Festival
Sept. 23–26 Charlotte, NC Festival in the Park
Oct. 1–2 Orlando, FL Disney Wine and Dine Marathon
Oct. 8–10 Valdosta, GA Wild Adventures Theme Park
Oct. 14–17 Dallas, TX Texas State Fair
Oct. 21–24 Shreveport, LA Louisiana State Fair
West Coast
July 15–Aug. 22 Minneapolis, MN Mall of America
July 25–26 San Diego, CA Youth Surf Cup – Soccer
July 28–Aug. 1 Sacramento, CA California State Fair
Aug. 6–8 Portland, OR Bite of Oregon Food Festival
Aug.10–11 Seattle, WA Woodland Park Zoo
Aug. 13–15 Seattle, WA Taste of Edmonds – Food Festival
Aug. 19–22 Vancouver, BC Summerfest
Aug. 27–Sept. 1 Pueblo, CO Colorado State Fair
Sept. 3–6 Denver, CO Elitch Gardens
Sept. 9–12 Albuquerque, NM New Mexico State Fair
Sept. 16–19 Salt Lake City, UT Utah State Fair
Sept. 24–26 Los Angeles, CA Universal City Walk
Oct. 1–3 San Diego, CA Miramar Air Fest
Oct. 7–11 San Francisco, CA Fleet Week – Military Ship and Air Festival
Oct. 15–17 Phoenix, AZ Arizona State Fair
Oct. 20–24 Las Vegas, NV PBR World Finals
If you can go to one of these, and are remotely intrigued by Kienct, I would encourage you to check it out. I went body-on with Joy Ride and Kinect Adventures at E3, and while it was exactly what you would expect, it was quite amusing.
Also, apparently starting July 27th, if you go to www.macys.com/glamorama you can enter to win a free Kinect. But I wouldn’t recommend going there now—you’ve been warned.
