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Kinect vs Playstation Move

Kinect Fan — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 01:03:39 +0000

At the 2009 E3, Microsoft and Sony both unveiled their new motion control systems for use with their gaming consoles, the XBox 360 and Playstation 3 respectively. Ever since these two systems were introduced, a huge Kinect vs PS3 Motion Controller debate has been waged across the gaming and hi-tech worlds. So which is better, Kinect or the Playstation Move?

Microsoft wowed the hi-tech world with their introduction of Kinect, a full body motion control system that includes facial recognition, voice recognition and full body recognition. The most significant aspect of Kinect is that no controller is required to play games. Instead players use their body and voice to control the game. It has the potential of revolutionizing not only video game playing, but home entertainment and computer technology as well as how we interact with these systems.

Sony, by contrast, has come up with a new controller to counteract the Wii with their Playstation Move, a wireless device that is shaped like a microphone that has several buttons as well as a glowing sphere on the top. The sphere on top of the controller is tracked by the Playstation Eye Camera. Based on demos at E3, Sony’s new controller appears to have better tracking and precision as well as better graphics than the Nintendo Wii controller.

The Kinect vs Playstation Move is a debate about philosophy as much as it is about technology. Sony makes the argument that some games still call for the use of a controller and buttons. There are gamers that agree with this and are impressed with the precision of Sony’s new motion controller. In fact the new Playstation Motion Controller, which will go by the name Playstation Move when it is released, can basically be seen as a new and improved controller to compete with the Wii.

Kinect on the other hand, is a much more ambitious new gaming system. Removing the controller from the equation and replacing it with the human body and voice through the use of motion sensor and sophisticated artificial intelligence technology goes far beyond making improvements on existing technology. A big advantage that Kinect has over the PS3 Move is the recognition of full body movement and the ability to map the entire bodies of game players in 3D. This brings interactivity within the gaming sphere to a whole new level. The gamer becomes the controller.

For now the Kinect vs. Playstation Move debate is still based on theory and promising potential. The two new systems are both scheduled to be released in late 2010. (Kinect is scheduled to be released on November 4, 2010). Will the more ambitious Kinect be able to fulfill its promising potential and revolutionize the world of gaming? Or will the new and improved PS3 Move have more appeal and bring a higher level of precision to the gaming world as we know it? Only time will tell us for sure. For now the debate rages on.

Kinect vs EyeToy

Kinect Fan — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 21:02:21 +0000

High-tech gaming systems have stepped it up a notch. It is Kinect vs. EyeToy, and they are in the homestretch now. Sony first came out with a state-of-the-art idea known as EyeToy. Never one to be left behind, Microsoft has come up with Kinect, and these two enormous companies are running neck and neck in a competition to determine which system is the most sophisticated and most likely to succeed in today’s competitive gaming world.

Kinect uses an RGB camera as well as an infrared 3-D depth map camera to capture a gamers’ full body motion and then they incorporate some state-of-the-art software that puts the whole program together. This technology reads a full body’s position in 3-D space allowing the gamer to use their entire body to be able to interact with a video game. It eliminates the need to use a game controller, either wired or wireless. However, it isn’t yet known how precise this technology will be at reading the more minute and intricate motions that a person makes while playing, such as the wrist positioning that may be used to roll a ball in virtual golf, tennis, or bowling games.

Sony’s motion controller for the Eye Toy program also uses a camera to see the position in 3-D space and it utilizes gyros as well as accelerometers to attain maximum precision. A gamer can use virtual toys while interacting with the games, such as swords, tennis rackets and even the person’s hands.

A Kinect EyeToy comparison shows the two programs currently running side by side, but Microsoft just may be pulling into the lead and giving it their all in the final stretch. Kinect is likely to far surpass Sony’s devices when they add their own hardware wands to the mix and tweak their software just a bit more. Kinect even has voice recognition as part of the program! These two systems are at war with one another, with each company attempting to outdo the other and make their system offer the ultimate gaming experience. Although Sony with their Eye Toy had a head start, Microsoft caught up and passed them in no time flat.

The real winner of this war in which Sony and Microsoft are engaged is going to be the gamer. Gaming’s future has taken a huge leap to a higher level and it will be both interesting and exciting to see where it may go from here.

Is Kinect Fake?

Kinect Fan — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 00:54:24 +0000

If you look around video game forums and other places online, you’ll see people asking, “Is Kinect fake?” and then you see others on YouTube comments and other places saying that “Kinect is fake.”

There is no Kinect hoax, and in fact, Kinect is real and is coming out on Nov. 4th, 2010. The people still asking, “Kinect, is it real?” are probably blown away by the possibilities of what it will be able to do. Between being able to read emotions, full-body motion control, voice recognition, and cool games, it isn’t shocking that people are skeptical.

But, it is definitely coming out, and it’ll be available for the Xbox 360. If you want further updates, why don’t you sign up to our FREE Kinect updates newsletter! You’ll be one of the first to know all of the hot Kinect information as it comes out!

Kinect vs Wii

Kinect Fan — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 00:32:24 +0000

Once Kinect was announced, the Kinect Nintendo Wii comparisons started to spring up. Although the Nintendo Wii didn’t bring the first motion control game to the market, it incorporated it as the whole entire console and made motion consoles become a huge success. Microsoft responded with a full-body motion controller, called Kinect.

Kinect vs Wii
I don’t even think you can compare the two, though I will definitely try. At first, Kinect will need time to catch on, as there are many Xbox users who will want one, and depending on availability, not everyone will be able to have one.

Because the motion controls are part of every Wii system, every game uses those motion controls, and so you know whatever game you buy, you’ll be able to use them. Not every Xbox 360 game that comes out after Kinect will be able to use the technology, and some games will only use the technology intermittently throughout the game. Depending on where you stand on the whole motion controls in video games debate, determines whether this is a pro or con. it will definitely be a benefit for some, and not for others.

The thing that Kinect does that blows the Wii out of the water is the fact that it uses full-motion controls. The Wii, and Sony’s new motion control device are limited to whatever you can do with the controller. Being able to incorporate your entire body, including voice recognition like Kinect has, is what makes me think Kinect will become more popular than the Wii or Sony’s motion controller.

There will definitely be downsides and limitations to Kinect, but I think the benefits of what this game will be able to provide will outweigh the negatives.

If you’re interested in what Kinect has to offer, I urge you to sign up for our FREE Kinect newsletter below. I’ll give you the most important information about how to buy Kinect, including the important pricing information, as well as how to pre-order it once details are announced. I’ll also announce any new games that are added to the Kinect games list. All you have to do is enter your e-mail below… we won’t spam or anything! (I HATE spam too)

Is Kinect Racist Against Black People?

Kinect Fan — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 22:38:38 +0000

At E3 2009, when Kinect (then Project Natal) was released, it caused great excitement among attendees. One thing that didn’t really get out much, was that people called Kinect racist. The thought was that Kinect had a hard time distinguishing the movements of a darker skinned person, and therefore would only be able to be played by lighter skinned people.

How did this thought emerge?

At E3 2009, when Newsweek reporter N’Gai Croal tried playing Kinect, it didn’t work at all. Croal was black, and it seemed odd that it didn’t work. It seemed even more odd that other (white) people were able to use it just fine. One thought was that the infrared cameras, which is one major part that Kinect is based around, has a hard time with darker skin tones. Microsoft disagreed and said that Kinect was created to break down barriers to playing video games, not create new barriers.

So what’s the verdict… Is Kinect racist?

Kinect is not racist… though there may have been glitches with one person at E3 who tried to use it and was black, they were working with tech demos and early releases of the product. If that doesn’t prove to you that it isn’t racist, then hopefully these Kinect black people videos will help you to realize it was just a glitch and not a racist product.

Rap Artist, “The Game,” playing Kinect

Wayne Ellington and Jeremy Tyler playing Kinect

Sugar Ray Leonard, Eric Dickerson, and Willie Gault playing Kinect

Visitor at E3 trying out Kinect

How Kinect Is Changing The Face Of Gaming

Kinect Fan — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 17:58:13 +0000

Microsoft stunned the video gaming world when it announced Project Natal (now called Kinect) on June 1, 2009 at the Electronic Entertainment Expo. Kinect is a new peripheral for the Xbox 360 console that doesn’t require controllers to play video games. Instead gamers will use their bodies and voice to control the games. The system uses proprietary software and sophisticated motions sensors, along with an RGB camera and multi array microphone to track players in 3D.

In one respect, Kinect is a response to the popular Nintendo Wii. The Wii helped to bring video games to the new and casual game users who are not interested in learning complicated gaming console systems. This greatly extended the market. Kinect takes this concept even further by allowing individuals to play games without even needing to use a controller.

Another way in which Kinect differs from the Wii, is that it has a voice recognition system. The Kinect system also uses a camera to map the gaming environment in 3D whereas the Wii is a positional device. Kinect is able to capture motion and also has voice and facial recognition capabilities.

Kinect comes even closer to fulfilling the big dream for gamers which is to actually be inside the game itself. By being able to use your own body and voice this may be closest we can get to experiencing this. You truly become the character and it’s more like a reality game than a video game. Gamers will also be able to save money on accessories and controllers which also brings things closer to reality.

For now Kinect is being marketed as an accessory to the Xbox 360. The camera will sit atop the game console and games will be played through the Xbox. However, the technology behind Kinect could very well extend to PCs and beyond. The sophisticated 3D motion and voice recognition system opens up many possibilities to extend into other facets of home entertainment and potentially office applications as well.

One big questions gamers have on their minds is whether Kinect will satisfy the needs and desires of hardcore gamers or whether its appeal will be more for the casual and new game user. The jury is still out on that one. Time will tell to see what game developers can come up with. One thing is for certain is that Kinect holds great promise for changing the gaming industry and gaming experience for good.