The new Xbox Kinect provides the ultimate in interactive entertainment. It is a controller free game system based on the players movements. Kinect Adventures, which features 20 heart stopping adventures, is currently included with the purchase of an Xbox Kinect, and currently there are 18 Kinect games that will be available when the new system launches and another seven games to follow soon after they are released. And Microsoft has made sure that the intial lineup of titles includes Kinect fitness games, Kinect sports games, and some great Kinect dance games as well. While these may present hours of fun and some fine choices, I thought it might be fun to take a look at some games that could make the Kinect experience even more fun.
The Sims is a very popular video game that has even become a popular choice among PC gamers. I think the interactive entertainment provided by Kinect could make for an interesting take on this type of game. Okay, I understand that there is a lot of walking involved in the Sims world, but this just means you could play a fun game and still get your exercise in. Also, it could make visiting places in the Sims world a bit more interesting while also presenting a more active role on the part of the video game player. While there is not a lot of interaction in the normal Sims games, using the Xbox Kinect could help remedy that.
I would like to see a Sims-like game for Kinect that features participation instead of just hitting buttons and choosing activities and such. In the Kinect version, you can walk around your Sims home and check out various rooms. You could interact with the game by walking up to any door in the house and entering a room. You would then be able to do things like turn on the TV or the stereo, do dishes, and clean the floor. With so many things to do around the house, the possibilities are very interesting.
You could then also take a walk around the neighborhood and do things like visit the neighbors and pet their dog. You could also stop by the tennis court for a game of tennis, or pop in to the local bar for a game of pool. It would also be cool to be able to go to the park and play a game of frisbee. At night you may want to go dancing or have a beer and play some darts. With the capability of the Xbox Kinect, all of these activities can be brought to life and controlled by you without having to press any buttons. With all the activities that are a part of life and can be incorporated into a Sims type of game, I think this could make for an interesting addition to the Kinect game choices.
Other games that I would like to see include boxing and wrestling. What better way to get away with beating the pulp out of your sibling or friend than by having them take part in an interactive battle. Since the game will mimic your own movements, this 2 player game could take on a whole new level of participation. When your opponent gets knocked out or pinned in the game, you will actually be knocking them out and pinning them yourself in real time. Okay, I admit I am only kidding about these choices, but it would sure bring a whole new meaning to interactive gaming, huh?
While it would be cool to be able to participate in a game similar to Capcom versus Marvel or Streetfighter, it would be hard to simulate such games on Kinect as many characters feature special moves which can only be accessed by hitting the right combination of buttons. I don’t see too many people being able to perform a spinning side kick followed by a flurry of blows as part of an interactive game. That is why even though this is an advanced gaming system, there are certain games that will just not be cut out for this type of game system.
I would love to see a fighting or wrestling type game, or even some kind of football game similar to Madden, available for Kinect, but the question that remains is just how this could be pulled off. While the game choices for Kinect will surely expand over time, the games I would like to see in addition to the Sims may not be totally conducive to this type of game system, but you never know what the future might hold. Heck, twenty years ago people would have thought you were nuts if you told them there would be a game system like Kinect or Wii, so you never know what the future of XBox Kinect games will have to offer.
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