Microsoft Kinect, is it for you?

Microsoft released its new product “Kinect” this week and big things are expected for it.   Microsoft hopes to sell 5 Million units this year and is banking on its large $200M investment on advertising and promoting it.  

I was able to get a hands on demo of the hardware and some of the games that you can buy and play for it today.   I can easily say that from the limited experience I had with it, I really enjoyed it.  However, I’ve played Wii and usually always enjoyed that as well.   Overall, I feel the Kinect is coming into the ‘interactive’ gaming space quite late but Sony just released their product as well.  Maybe you can think of these products kind of like how our mobile service providers work.  There is a large pool of targeted users you know exist, so you want to claim as many of those users as yours.   The race at first was to get your product into everyone’s hands and keep the “new user” adoption rate in  your favor.  However, once every  user finally has a product, you must then shift your focus to snatching users away from competition.  For mobile phone companies you can see how users are cannibalized by competitors deals either for pricing or phones.  In this analogy w/ Kinect, I think with Nintendo’s domination of the gaming market for the Wii, that market is likely tapped out.  Kinect will appeal to Microsoft fans in general, may appeal to those who are completely bored w/ Nintendo’s gaming line up and anyone who is looking to just try something new.

First off, Kinect is fairly priced.   It won’t cost you an arm and leg to get the add on camera system and Microsoft plus their retail partners have put together a bundle for the holidays.  I wouldn’t be surprised if you see retailers dropping prices and creating their own in store bundles to pull people in on Black Friday or other big shopping days as the year closes out.

I will give my review and some advice on things to think about if you’re looking to pick up Kinect this holiday season.   I was able to sample a few bits of each of the games that were released this week w/ the Kinect.  To start off I tried Kinect adventures.   This game was well made and fun, but overall it is quite childish.  Kids will love it since it definitely is a game that fits an energetic and imaginative person.   It was fun to play and even compete with friends for the best scores or to work together as your river raft goes down the rapids, but for my style of gaming, this appeal wore off quick.   I personally need more depth.  This game would be great for when friends come over and you want some entertainment for a bit, it is also something you plop kids down in front of and let them go wild.   Another game I sampled was Dance Central.   This is just how it looks and honestly it is fun.  If you like dancing it is a definite, and if you aspire to dance at all, then this can work for you.  However, keep this in mind, there was only one song available on the demo I played so I’m not sure how the overall game soundtrack is or what playing it for hours on end will be like.  Its if like rockband, then you can definitely get your money’s worth.    Kinect Sports only had volleyball available on the demo and truthfully that was my favorite game we played.  I’ve loved Wii sports and all the different game types like it, but there was just something more to Kinect sports.  For the volleyball game it was great to NOT have to hold anything in your hand, kinda like how you would play volleyball in real life.  It was neat to step up to the net, sort of, then jump and swat at the ball as it came down.  The swat and jump motion were both captured by the game, so my character mimic’d my movements.  It was awesome.  As for the wii, I know it captures your swing, but can it catch you jumping?    The final game we played was Kinect Joy Ride.  This is a racing type game and was interesting in how you control and play, but worked quite well.  I used to be a big fan of racing games, but have since placed my gaming emphasis on shooters and adventures.  This game was quite fun, but the demo only had one track and we played this game at the very end of our session so we kinda ran through it quick.  It is neat to hold your hands up like they are gripping a steering wheel and then pretending to drive.   The game itself was quite simplistic, but had an added battle portion to the racing where you can attack players in front or behind you.  

A few things to keep in mind if you’re looking to get Kinect for yourself or as a gift.  #1 – Space.   This is not the wii, this is full body motion capture.  The games are fun and you will get excited and you will be moving around.  This is more than a step left or step right.  You might go leaping you might…dive?   Well, either way, if you’re an apt or condo dweller, space is key and also think of your neighbors.  If drumming on Rockband bothered people, then banging on the floor, walls, etc will only infuriate them more.    #2 – Camera recognition.   The camera system has a key area where it can recognize you.  When playing if you move out of this zone it will notify you, which is great.  The camera can recognize more than one person and may even have voice recognition (I did not test that feature).  However, if you’re gaming and large pet or small child walks nearby, the game may get mixed up.  I guess that is not a big deal, but it happens you know.  The cameras can detect your large body parts, but it cannot detect your fingers.  So finger motions or positions are just one stumpy hand to the game.  Maybe in the future they can upgrade the detection tech.  #3 - Gamerstyle.  I still don't see motion sensing games as being something hardcore gamers will get into.  They are a nice break and can involve anyone interested in gaming, but I won't be buying this myself anytime soon.  I prefer my hardcore games for all the offer and the depth provided.  The motion sensing games appeal to the mass audience so they lack that quality.   I am interested in using Kinect primarily as a hands free way to navigate through the Xbox dashboard, but it ends up that sitting on the couch won't fly, unless you happen to have the camera aimed directly at your sitting spot, and even then the navigation can be awkward.

So, overall its a great value and lots of fun and works really well for easy gaming.  If anyone you know gets it for Christmas, I highly recommend checking it out.  I look forward to seeing  new enhancements and game additions to the library.