Editor's Note: Click this
link to see the entire breakdown of the Kinect camera system and what different purchasing options Microsoft has announced (including pictures).
End Ed's Note. Since Microsoft finally got around to pricing Kinect, I felt it was time to take a moment, step back and really absorb what the hell exactly we were looking at as an overall package to assess really whether or not it is worth $100 bucks. Why do I say $100? Simple. By including Kinect Adventures in the bundle for people who already own an Xbox and titles for the motion detecting camera retailing on Amazon for roughly $50 dollars, why wouldn’t I think that? Besides, for the underlying offering, this seems to be how much those games should cost as a proper price point. But are the games the only reason why? Hell no they’re not. While I do plan on picking up a PlayStation 3 bundle when Move releases in September so I can stop hijacking my brother’s console, I’m very interested to see both the Sony and Microsoft approach to motion controls for myself. Despite a vast diversion between people who like motion controls and hate them, I like to think that I find myself somewhere in the “Meh Region”, where as long as it feels good, I’m happy. So, while I can’t justify Kinect at $150, I can certainly try and do it at $100. Why?
10. Because Microsoft was smart enough to include a game: This is first and foremost the greatest factor that contributes to the actual pricing of the product, which you can clearly see in the title. It is also extremely damn intelligent on the part of Microsoft. After all, it’d be difficult enough to sell this thing if it was $150 outright with absolutely zero incentive for anyone who bought it since all they’d be able to do is hook it up and do some cool stuff at the dashboard – yeah, because that wouldn’t get old really fast. Point being, by tossing a game in, even if it is Kinect Adventures, it shows that Microsoft has been straightening up and actually listening to the internet when in the wake of E3 everyone was doing nothing but bitching and complaining about how everything involving this thing was little more than a glorified technical demo. Oh, and if you pre-order it, you get three additional maps that can’t be found anywhere else. That’s pretty cool, right?
9. Visual recognition: Discussing Kinect in-depth with people who aren’t necessarily as savvy about video games as you, me or any one of a hundred internet trolls, it becomes apparent within a brief span of time that consumers are excited for this thing. Despite how much I’ve complained about the future getting here and how awesome it better be when it does, I still think it’s pretty cool that I can walk up to my 360 and it’ll know enough to pop my profile up, readying itself for a nice round of gaming or two. While it does have a bit of a creepy tinge to it in a HAL 9000 kind of way, I’m too distracted by how impressive it is.
8. It knows how fat you are: Speaking of knowing you a bit too well, this is one of the double-edged swords that I think Kinect is going to bring to the households that have gamers who have a bit too many pounds on their waistlines yet. When asked about the fitness title that Microsoft showed off at E3, it was pretty terrifying showing it to my girlfriend. Personally, I thought she’d be bored with it since she’s actually a pretty awesome gamer when I think about it. She never really connected with Wii Fit, but would rather play games that people more involved in the community would prefer. But she loves the idea of me using this damn game to get in shape and it would only cost $50 bucks for the game. Neglecting of course to mention that it’ll cost $150 for the system and Kinect Adventures anyway – but since I’m getting this for work, heck it wouldn’t hurt to buy that as well and lose a few pounds since it’d be less per year than a gym membership. Nevertheless, one I get that, Kinect is going to scan me so it can get an accurate image of my body. I can save you all some suspense: Fat. Seriously. I have my own climate, I’m aware of it. But, sadly, there is a point to be made about a game that could offer something a bit more immersive than Wii Fit. After all, if it doesn’t work, there’s always KFC.
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This feature top 10 list continues on the next page, please click below to see more reasons why Kinect is worth the price of $149.99.
