Microsoft's Kinect to hit stores on 10 November

Reutesr
Tuesday 17 August 2010 16:03 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Microsoft's motion-sensing game system Kinect will hit European retail stores before Christmas, the company said, as it battles for customers with rivals Sony and Nintendo.

Kinect, which enables the player to control games with the body, voice and hand gestures, will go on sale in Europe, the Middle East and Africa from 10 November, four days after its U.S. launch, the company said on Tuesday, a day ahead of Gamescom, Europe's largest video game trade show.

A spokeswoman said Microsoft would sell the European version of Kinect for 149.99 euros and £129.99 in the UK, compared with a retail price of $149.99 in the United States.

Microsoft hopes to steal customers from the rival Nintendo Wii and Sony Playstation 3 as all three big console makers struggle to breathe new life into the ailing console market. Motion-controlled gaming is one of the industry's big hopes.

According to research firm iSuppli, unit shipments of video game consoles are expected to fall by 7.5 per cent to 48.2 million by 2013. Video game producers such as Electronic Arts also see the new motion-controlled devices as reigniting the $60 billion (£38.5 million) video game hardware and software industry.

Sony earlier this year announced Move, its motion-controlled feature for the PlayStation 3, which will hit European stores on 15 September. Unlike Kinect, Move employs a wand-like game controller, similar to that of Nintendo's Wii, which revolutionized motion-controlled gaming about four years ago.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in