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

My poor Kinect is at this moment sitting with its head down, looking all depressed. It and I haven’t played together in over a month. Every once and a while it’ll look up at me as a walk by, but then go back into “sad mode” once I pass. (Okay, so technically it’s trying to calibrate to someone standing in front of it) I’ll have to dust the poor guy before I play with him next time.

To be fair, it’s not because I don’t want to. I was thoroughly enjoying my playthrough of Kinect Star Wars, and I recently purchased Forza Motorsport 4. I’m interested to try the Kinect features there. Nope, it’s due to having a new baby. He’s still on oxygen and monitors, having been born a preemie, so my wife camps with him on the living room couch, surrounded by tubes and cords. (Don’t worry, he’s fine, it’s just a precaution) That being said getting opportunities to play are few and far between. When I do it’s usually shorter stents, so I typically play XBLA games.

I can’t wait until I can buddy back up with my Kinect, who I shall name George. George looks cute, like a body-less WALL-E up there on the entertainment center. He’s my fitness coach, and I need to get back to the gym.

So, anyone else suffering from Kinect Separation Anxiety?

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.

Fruit Ninja Kinect | 560 MSP (30% off) | review
Double Fine Happy Action Theater | 400 MSP (50% off) | review
Haunt | 400 MSP (50% off) | review
Leedmees | 400 MSP (50% off) | review
Rhythm Party | 400 MSP (50% off)
Hole in the Wall | 400 MSP (50% off)

Nick DePetris- After finishing off Brutal Legend and Bloodrayne: Betrayal at the beginning of the week, I started investing some serious time into Awesomenauts. That game keeps getting better the more I play! I also started playing Alan Wake and (along with the rest of the world) Minecraft on XBLA, and will probably be playing both of those a lot this upcoming week.

Ryan Reynolds- A pretty slim week for me overall. I played quite a bit of Awesomenauts and I also played a ton of Mass Effect 3 multiplayer with a friend of mine. Really looking forward to hearing more about ME3 DLC at E3. And while it’s off-topic, I keep forgetting that my Kinect acts as a microphone and my teammates often get to listen to my pellet stove burning. If I’ve done this to any of you, I apologize! Finally, I downloaded the trial of Minecraft and played it for about a total of five minutes before deciding it’s not for me.

Nate Hubler- I really didn’t game to much on the Xbox this week although I did get in some Rayman Origins. Most of my time has been spent playing Knights of the Old Repubic since I never played it when it first came out. I have also been making progress in Amnesia.

Sean Prideaux- More Awesomenauts, completed inFamous 2 and started playing Minecraft 360. I honestly can’t make a decision on Minecraft. It seems to lack any sort of fun until you get an idea. Then once the idea is finished it returns to being a grind for resources. It seems like too much work and not enough play.

Scott Waldyn- When I’ve found some time to game, it’s been back to the fantasy realm of Skyrim. I’m trying to go the completionist route with that title, racking up the last few achievements I need. Also, I dusted off Kinect Adventures for a little party play with some friends.

Now that you know what we are playing, we want to know what YOU are playing. Leave us a comment below!