Today, Don Bluth’s Dragon’s Lair hit XBLA for Kinect. While the 1983 FMV game does control using Kinect, it is entirely possible to play it with a controller too. It also allows for two player alternating co-op, so you can dodge traps and make your way through the story with a friend. If you haven’t picked it up on any of the other 66 platforms (yes, really!) or fancy playing it again with Kinect, then you can pick it up here on the 67th platform for 800 MSP.
Rare, Microsoft’s flagship Kinect and Avatar developer, is rumoured to be working on multiple next-gen titles. The news comes in the form of a job ad listed on Microsoft’s careers site here for a “Principal Program Manager”; there was a second listing but it has been removed. The listing that was removed did say this: ”You will be joining a highly regarded publisher-backed studio that is responsible for a number of IPs currently on the market that have already hit number 1,” and ”Whilst continual development of their core releases will be maintained, the successful candidate will be joining at a time where the studio is looking to move into new areas and develop new IPs for future platforms.”
There is also a mention of experience in making games of the Action/Adventure or FPS genre, and as Rare has a rich heritage in both of these genres it may be a nod towards reboots in those particular series. As Rare is now primarily a Kinect developer, we can be sure that their Kinect titles won’t be swept away like Battletoads. So if we’re lucky, maybe they will make a Perfect Dark that’s compatible with Kinect.
Microsoft has recently added to their plethora of video apps available to Xbox Live users. In the United States the Manga app is now available which utilizes the Manga Entertainment catalog to watch full episodes, clips, and movies. On to the United States and Canada, who have received MUZU.TV. This service allows users to watch music videos. Not to mention that Australians have gained Kinect functionality with FOXTEL. There seems to be no end in sight for Microsoft adding more video apps for Kinect which is a fantastic thing.
Source: Joystiq
Earlier today, the Hong Kong based branch of Sony slipped up and accidentally revealed new multiplayer DLC for Bioware’s Mass Effect 3. Assuming Sony’s sources were legitimate, the DLC (which is called the Rebellion pack) will include;
The Rebellion Multiplayer Expansion opens two new fronts against the Reapers: Firebase Jade’s jungle reservoir and Firebase Goddess on Thessia. In-game reinforcement packs now include three new weapons as well as equipment, consumables, and six new classes: Quarian Engineer and Infiltrator, Vorcha Soldier and Sentinel, Phoenix Adept and Vanguard. The battle continues – hold the line!
While the Vorcha would be make a nice addition, the “Phoenix” race mentioned above has never been mentioned in any other Mass Effect lore, and the two Quarian classes are already in the game. So where does that leave us? Is the Mass Effect 3 Rebellion Multiplayer Expansion real, or is it wishful thinking? Only time will tell.
Source: Kotaku
A little under a year ago Microsoft revealed their new idea dubbed NUads. These ads utilize Kinect to allow users to interact in ads or launch them from the dashboard. This gives users the opportunity to share the ad via Twitter or Facebook with their voices. Users interacting with the ads has yet to be confirmed outside of the voice options. Microsoft has come out and said that NUads is no exception to the current privacy policy in place, although this might not completely calm some viewers minds as their Kinect watches them for the duration of the ad. An idea of what could come of this technology comes from apps like Kinect Shop and Swivvel by FaceCake where users can try on virtual clothing while the sensor records the dimensions of the person. Hopefully more comes from this idea than just being able to spam our friends’ feeds with ads.
Source: The Verge
A new trailer for Summer Stars 2012, the Kinect title set to debut June 1st, has recently been posted from developers Deep Silver and 49Games. As previously reported, the game encompasses full-motion play of 18 different disciplines, from Mountain Biking and Sprinting to Diving and Swimming, over a variety of famously renown arenas and venues all over the globe. Among some of the gameplay settings, the game touts multiplayer capabilities with up to three people on split screen and the ability to adjust controls to meet the desires of gamers looking for more strenuous or less strenuous play. Check out the trailer below for a quick glimpse into the world of home console Olympians.
Recent data from an online video ad company named Freewheel has revealed that the Xbox 360 is the most used device to watch web videos outside of the PC. The numbers are close however, with the Xbox coming in at 28.2 percent and iPad at 27.1 percent. The iPhone, Android devices, and iPod Touch come in at 19.4 percent, 15.2 percent, and 10.8 percent respectively. However, the site Freewheel only covers content accompanied by ads leaving out Netflix and Youtube, which could have changed the numbers. At least this data proves that what Microsoft has been saying is true and they really are number one.
Source: Freewheel, AllThingsD via XBLA Fans
Beginning today, Microsoft is discounting the entire collection of Kinect enabled Xbox Live Arcade games, giving Kinect owners the opportunity to swoop in on a motion sensing marathon at a fine price. Kicking off the sale from the top is the classic Fruit Ninja Kinect, which is selling for 560 Microsoft Points. While it is the most “expensive” game included in the sale, it is also the most successful and most widely known.
Every other game included in the sale is selling for 400 Microsoft Points, representing a 50% price reduction. Leading the way is Double Fine Happy Action Theater, followed by NanaOn-Sha’s haunted house ride Haunt. Next up is a pair of Konami titles represented by Leedmees and Hole in the Wall. For more information on each game, simply click its title above. If you’ve been holding out on picking any of these up, the prospect of saving money makes this sale a great opportunity to jump in and join the fun. The sale will end on May 21st.
Check out after the break for links to the marketplace and reviews where applicable.
Last week Microsoft announced that Inside Xbox was stopping indefinitely in the states and other territories, but Europe was left untouched. Unfortunately, today they have announced that Europe’s Inside Xbox is retiring too, leaving everything to third party development.
Dan Maher (MrPointyHead), the host of Inside Xbox, tweeted earlier today, “So, to be clear and succinct: Inside Xbox is no more, as are our jobs. Your support during the last four years has meant the world to us.”
With Inside Xbox gone all there is IGN and presumably access to other third party videos via the newly announced Internet Explorer App.
Source: Joystiq
Yesterday Minecraft was released on the Xbox 360 to outstanding success. Notch even tweeted that that the sales numbers after the first hour made the game profitable. We can guarantee that number will only increase once Kinect support is added. All we have to do now is wait for the promised patch. Unfortunately there is some bad news for potential miners that own SDTVs. A major feature of the Xbox version is that the game has splitscreen, but this only available to those who own HDTVs. No comment has yet been made by Microsoft, Mojang, or 4J Studios.
