One benefit(?) of having boys that fit every boy stereotype is that when there is a video game party, there is a guarantee that will be an afternoon filled with fun and happy boys. (It's also a great bargaining tool--"do you want to go to the video game party? Then stop hitting/biting/kicking your brother!") On Monday we were lucky enough to be invited to preview games on the new Kinect for Xbox 360, formerly known as “Project Natal.” Kinect is the latest development in gaming, no more controller that you might accidentally throw into the TV or fireplace after you make a bad move because YOU are the controller. H&R were bowling, driving, dancing, and pretending to be wild animals all over a very hip penthouse loft in downtown LA. Some of the games they played were Dance Central, Kinectimals, Kinect Sports, and Kinect Joy Ride. I think R had the most fun acting as a back dancer to fellow LA Mom Blogger Bernadette. It's definitely easier when you don't have to worry about landing your feet in the boxes on the foot controller on the floor. 
Kinect for Xbox 360 brings roaring rapids, wild tigers, mountainous obstacle courses and zooming racecars to living rooms in North America on Nov. 4 and will roll out to the rest of the world thereafter. Uniquely magical and instantly fun, Kinect for Xbox 360 tracks your body movements and gestures. It even understands your voice. By taking technology out of your hands for the first time, Kinect lets people who have never picked up a game controller join the excitement. See a ball? Just kick it. Want to learn how to dance or get fit? Just follow the moves. With Kinect, all you have to do is be you, no controller required. I think I know what the hot gift will be this winter. Don't tell the boys--hopefully I can delay it as long as possible so it doesn't become a 24 hour video game frenzy during Christmas break. But I know we will definitely be getting one, it's just too cool! Perhaps it can even be the carrot to motivate both of them to be completely potty-trained 24 hours a day.
After the game preview, I left the boys at my sister's place (thanks so much eemo!) and met up with Stewart at USC's Galen Center for a spectacular live performance imagined by Cirque du Soleil to showcase the highlights of Kinect. (Scroll down on the Kinect website to watch a preview of the show.) The anticipation built as we waited in line with another LA Moms Blogger, Amy. When we got inside, we were all handed white ponchos to wear so we could be an interactive part of the audience. The show was pretty neat--we were introduced to all the different aspect of Kinect and the new XBox 360 with visuals. Being shown something is definitely more effective than being inundated with words.
That being said, it's hard to explain in words what the show was like. You definitely felt immersed in the world of XBox 360 and Kinect. It was pretty cool when the elephant first came out (I thought it was real) and the ponchos starting glowing in different colors. The show was televised on Tuesday and I hope it will be televised again so you can catch it. Here is the preview also on youtube. The photos don't even begin to do justice to the experience. Before the event, I read a story about the development of the show in the LA Times and it gave me a greater appreciation of how much work went into the two-night performance.
If you want to stay up to date with all things Kinect for Xbox 360, the social media links are below. Game On!
Tumblr: www.xboxprojectnatal.tumblr.com
Twitter: @experienceMSFT, hashtags: #XboxKinect, #Sneakpeek, #DRUM, #XboxCirque
Flickr: www.flickr.com/photos/projectnatalxbox360
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Xbox
YouTube: www.youtube.com/Xbox360info
I did not receive compensation for this post. I was invited to the preview party and Cirque show in order to facilitate my review.
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1 comment:
this is wicked cool!
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