Software giant, Microsoft which is developing a new gaming console, named `Kinect' is expected to introduce the device in November this year. Microsoft had announced its Project Natal' more than a decade ago to develop the console will finally launch the device.
Microsoft Kinect is to compete with the Nintendo Wii and Sony's Playstation Move as they offer motion based gaming experience. The gamers move their body to make whatever movement intended while Kinect is a step further as it does not use a controller and turns the gamers as controllers.
The hardware of the device has three sensors to enable this experience. The first sensor is a color camera for pictures and Video chat while the second and third is a IR blaster which is able to compute the 3D space where the user is standing with the help of the monochrome CMOS camera sensor. These sensors allow Kinect to accurate replicate the actions of the gamers in real life in the gaming world.
It can map 48 points on the player's body and is capable of doing this for two players. The device does not have any processing chip and the processing is done in X360. The users can load the game in the same way and Kinect automatically detects the player in its range. If another person it moves into the areas it adds a second player if the game supports multiplayer. The users can also control the Menu option with hand motion.
Kinect also accepts voice commands along users to say things instead of hand gestures. The feature is not expected to be available in the beginning but might be made available through a Microsoft firmware update.
According to a Ficci and KPMG report, console gaming market in India is expected to grow an average 19% a year to more than Rs. 1,100 crore by 2014. Analysts say that the estimate is conservative because market has recorded growth of between 40-50% since Sony launched its Palystation 2 in 2006.
Sony is currently the leader with a 70% share in the console market totaling half a million units per year. It sells 30,000 units of Playstation Portable (PSP), PS2 and PS3 each month.
Jaspreet Bindra, regional director of the entertainment and devices division at Microsoft India said, "We are seeing increasing inclination of gamers towards motion, social and 3D games."
Microsoft's Xbox Live Arcade is currently competing against PlayStation 3 in the high-end space. Even as some of the new consol offer advanced technologies and features like integration to social networking sites Sony PS2 has maintained its lead due to its pricing. PS2 retails for just Rs. 5,990 along with a free game CD while Xbox Live Arcade costs Rs. 14,500.
