x box 360 kinect

The new kinect gaming system, formerly known as project natal is at the forefront of videogame technology and the newest technology in the merger of virtual and real space, and a key component of true 3d gaming.

How kinect works

A continuous array of infrared low intensity laser light is projected into the room.  This enables the kinect to identify the users position and create an on screen avatar as shown in this video.

as you can see in this short video the dots are projected everywhere in the room allowing visual mapping by the system.  This system makes the x box 360 capable of not only gesture recognition, but facial generation and depth perception by integration of lasers, rgb sensors and voice recognition microphones.  Combined with advanced software this motion mapping technology has an effective range of about eleven feet and can track up to six players at a time.

Gaming Breakthrough

This breakthrough in computer gaming technology was quietly developed under the code name project natal which presumably symbolizes the birth of a new era of computer gaming.  Initial response has been overwhelming and other console manufacturers are racing to catch up.

Technological Concerns

There have been some concerns and criticisms that as this technology increases in resolution it will not only allow a large company access to your living room but also a record of everything that is said.  This ominous big brother sense of corporate intrusion does not sit well with everyone, many of whom suspect it is just a step away from the images cast in the classic novel 1984.

Healthy Gaming

The major upside to the Kinect, and other systems which will inevitably follow, is in the fact that it forces the family to get up off the couch to play the games.  The system is likely to have the most significant impact on childhood and adult obesity of any device ever built.   The kinect not only encourages active participation but essentially demands physical interaction with the games.   By manipulating the avatar, the user engages in healthy gaming and exercise while being obliviously immersed in a world of fun.  

Kinect Games

It is unknown what games will be released, but the system seems ideal for both advances in serious physical training regimens and for providing the raw kinectic feedback necessary to use for sports and fitness training.   Personally I am looking forward to the release of Complete Dojo a rumored game that takes you from whitebelt to blackbelt mastery both inside the dojo learning classical karate training and kata on through exciting karate field exercises where you can practice your training in an adventure setting.  The classic karate movie cliche of invasion by a rival dojo should be perfect for the x box live system.

Regardless of your taste in gaming, the system should provide escape in the confines of your living room as you live out in a visceral and physical way your adventure and sports hero fantasies.   The potentials for league play and collabaritive sports as well as solo adventure are unlikely to be missed by game developers.