Tag: Xbox 360

Microsoft Bringing Kinect to PC

The world of video games has long seen a split between the consoles and the PC. And despite the rumors that PC gaming is dead, it is very much alive and well. The rumors have been greatly exaggerated, especially as the PC will soon get a boost from the Microsoft Kinect. This is really no surprise as Microsoft entered the gaming arena as a PC software developer and publisher, as well as creating a variety of hardware for the PC.

There are already devices that we’ve covered that allow a PC to be used with a bike trainer, golf simulator or other devices, but where the PC has lagged behind in recent years is with motion control that makes gaming fitness possible. Now Microsoft is offering a true game changer as the Kinect will arrive on the PC next year.

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Will It be a Kinect’ed Christmas Again?

Last year Microsoft sold 10 million of its hands free controllers for the Xbox 360, making it a very Kinect’ed Christmas. And instead of sitting on its hands free Kinect all year, Microsoft – along with many third party developers – are offering the promise of another big season. The Wall Street Journal reported this week that by holiday Microsoft will have 75 titles that offer the promise to get off the couch for gamers. Continue reading Will It be a Kinect’ed Christmas Again?

MotionSports Adrenaline Gets Momentum on Xbox, PS3

Ubisoft just released MotionSports Adrenaline for the Xbox 360 Kinect and PlayStation Move for the PlayStation 3. The game takes advantage of the motion-sensing controls to encourage movement. MotionSports Adrenaline has a number of extreme activities such as wingsuit, mountain bike, rock climbing, kayak, kitesurf, extreme skiing.

Continue reading MotionSports Adrenaline Gets Momentum on Xbox, PS3

Kinect Sports Kicks Off Another Season

With winter just around the corner you can still get in the game, and do so from in front of the Kinect for the Microsoft Xbox 360. Kinect Sports: Season Two will let you play the warm weather sports including Tennis, Football, Baseball and Golf – plus some Darts and even the winter friendly Skiing all from your living room.

New features this year include the ability to call an audible play in football or challenge the ref in tennis with your voice, and even challenge friends over Xbox LIVE. But this year the gameplay ups the ante while getting gamers off the couch as it now includes an in-game calorie counter. You can work up a sweat, score points and lose some calories all at the same time.

Kinect Sports: Season Two will be available this holiday season from Rare and Big Park and is being published by Microsoft Studios. Tis the season to game and get in shape.

Xbox 360 Official Website

EA and adidas Originals Promote the Run

While many video games these days are getting gamers off the couch, one game will likely get gamers dashing to get a pair of athletic fashion shoes. The upcoming racing game Need for Speed The Run, which will arrive this November for the Microsoft Xbox 360, Sony PlayStation 3, PC, Nintendo Wii and Nintendo 3DS will feature the iconic adidas Superstar shoes. Additionally the adidas branded apparel which will be available at all adidas Originals stores across the United States. Continue reading EA and adidas Originals Promote the Run

Dive in With Michael Phelps: Push the Limit

Even if the pool is closed for the season you can still dive in for a swim, at least in the living room. Michael Phelps: Push the Limit, which was developed by developed by Blitz Games and published by 505 Games, has arrived this week for Kinect on the Xbox 360. The game makes a big splash as it offers players the chance to compete against each other as well as against one of the most decorated athletes of all time, Michael Phelps. Fans play in quick matches in single player or local/online multiplayer against friends or immerse themselves in the challenging and fun Career Mode where they swim their way to the podium through some of the most breathtaking locations across the world, finally facing Michael himself in the final. Continue reading Dive in With Michael Phelps: Push the Limit

The Third Dimension of Training with Traq3D

httpv://youtu.be/8Y1I_soc_-Y

Fitness is now heading to a new dimension as Traq3D has announced the launch of the next generation TRAZER system, which utilizes the Panasonic Electric Works’ 3D Image Sensing Camera, D-IMager, as the preferred 3D motion detection device for this new product. TRAZER is an innovative interactive exercise technology that was featured on according to the company measures the previously immeasurable fundamental components of movement. It provides the power to detect movement asymmetries and weaknesses to guide rehabilitation, performance enhancement and injury prevention programs.

While this has the appearance of the technology used in current video games, such as the Nintendo Wii, Microsoft’s Kinect for the Xbox360 or the PlayStation Move, it is really a lot more says the technology’s innovator.

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Twister Goes Digital With Kinect for Xbox 360

That silly family game Twister has long been a way to get people off the couch, and now Majesco Entertainment looks to do it again, this time with a new “twist.” Majesco has announced a team up with Hasbro to bring Twister Mania to Kinetic for the Microsoft Xbox 260 this holiday season.

“It’s hard to think of a more popular, cherished and culturally significant board game than Twister. I myself have fond memories of the laughs and outrageous fun I’ve had when playing with friends and family,” said Jesse Sutton, CEO, Majesco Entertainment.”Our game introduces a brand new play pattern that is perfect for what Kinect was designed to do. Twister Mania for Kinect is as much fun to watch as it is to play and it’s shaping up to be one of the most contagious Kinect party games released.” Continue reading Twister Goes Digital With Kinect for Xbox 360

Kung Fu Comes to Kinect

Get ready to kick some butt this November. UTV Ignition Games and Black Bean Games just announced a partnership to bring Kung Fu High Impact to Kinect for Xbox 360. The game will be out in time for the holiday season, and for some of us to get started on New Year’s resolutions to get in shape.

The game combines old-style side-scrolling action with the new genre of exercise games. The Kinect controller uses the camera and body-tracking to put the player on the screen. The player will be able to see and complete real-life combat movements, interacting with enemies and objects on the screen.

Several game modes keep Kung Fu High Impact exciting. An engaging story keeps you involved and makes it more likely you’ll keep up your sessions to stay fit. Kung Fu High Impact has survival challenges, a multiplayer mode and other challenging gameplay styles to help you test your fighting skills, burn calories and stay fit.

UTV Ignition Games
Black Bean Games

 

E3 2011: UFC Personal Trainer – This Time Its Personal

Enter the Octagon, where two men enter – and eventually both men leave after a serious workout. That’s sort of the idea behind THQ’s UFC Personal Trainer: The Ultimate Fitness System. We at KineticShift take a bit of offense at the idea that a video game would be the “Ultimate Fitness System,” but this upcoming game features more than 70 MMA and NASM-approved exercises, including moves from disciplines including wrestling, kickboxing and Muay Thai.

Basically this is a bit of shadow boxing, shadow kicking and the like. There are 51 routines, and users can focus on specific fitness objectives and even target specific muscle groups. While we also don’t think this game alone will get you in ultimate shape, we could see that this could be part of a well round workout that is anything but routine.

Video after the jump:

Continue reading E3 2011: UFC Personal Trainer – This Time Its Personal

E3 2011: Your Shape Evolves From Ubisoft

This week in Los Angeles Ubisoft offered a peek at its upcoming Kinect fitness title for the Xbox 360. Your Shape: Fitness Evolved 2012, the sequel to the original Your Shape game, promises to provide more user feedback along with more than 90 hours of new content. The game will track a user’s movements, and provides more detailed feedback to help you work out.

The game will include a variety of workout routines including the ability jump rope and do basic aerobic exercises. But the really cool part of this one promises to be the “Run the World” mode, which allows players to virtually run through the streets of New York, Paris or London – given that this reporter has actually run in those cities I can’t wait to see this in action when the game is released this November, exclusively on Kinetic for the Xbox 360.

Video after the jump: Continue reading E3 2011: Your Shape Evolves From Ubisoft

E3 2011: Michael Phelps: Push the Limit Let’s You Swim in the Living Room

There are some games that just make instant sense, and then there are the games like Michael Phelps: Push the Limit. In this one players get to try to go for the gold and beyond in a swimming game – pool not required, not included and not compatible.

A swimming game for the living room? That’s right. The idea behind this motion control game is that players simulate swimming, moving their arms to simulate the motion of swimming in the water. The upcoming game utilizes Kinect for the Xbox 360 and from the scenes on the show floor it could get gamers’ hearts pumping. It features a variety of unique settings – but it isn’t exactly the career path that Phelps took. We figured he swam in school pools, city pools and Olympic pools, not in outdoor pools on icy mountain ranges. But that’s artistic license.

This is one that could be hit or miss, or dare we say sink or swim. Michael Phelps: Push the Limit is out now exclusively on Kinect for Xbox 360 from 505 Games.

Video after the jump: Continue reading E3 2011: Michael Phelps: Push the Limit Let’s You Swim in the Living Room

E3 2011: adidas Teams With THQ

Trade shows such as the Electronic Entertainment Expo are known to get gamers up and running – that is running to see games and to get to appointments. The rest of the time gamers need some urging to get that much activity, but now adidas is set to team up with THQ to bring the popular miCoach interactive athletic training system to video game consoles.

The new collaboration is set for release next year, and will allow gamers to train using the miCoach hardware, including heart rate monitor (or any ANT+ compatible monitor), which will connect to the THQ’s new video game title for the Kinetic for Xbox 360 or PlayStation Move via miCoach Pacer and miCoarch mobile app.

“We’re taking our successful miCoach line and broadening its reach to an even larger audience, who we hope will find motivation and inspiration from adidas and our roster of star athletes,” said Simon Drabble, Director of miCoach BU for adidas. “In simple words, this combination of console technology and training for sports supports everybody to become better athletes, regardless of their fitness level.”

Players will get an onscreen trainer to guide them through hours of on-screen training and motivating game experience. The system will get gamers toned up beginning next year.

miCoach Official Website
THQ Official Website