Let’s face it: Microsoft is not going to let Kinect lose momentum. The sensor got released in November last year and has already sold over eight million units worldwide. Over the next couple of months we can expect a ton of applications and features that make use of the peripheral. One such online application is Avatar Kinect, which just got announced at Microsoft’s keynote during CES 2011.
Balding Microsoft boss, Steve Ballmer introduced the application through his own Xbox 360 Avatar, which is also balding. The application allows Xbox 360 users to chat online with numerous friends in a virtual reality setting. The chat program will come with fifteen different sets, but that’s not the exciting part. The best bit is that Kinect will track facial expressions and hand gestures, which means your Avatar really does turn into an online puppet. Full video after the jump.
[Youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DujMF_zJqPc[/Youtube]
The Kinect application will be free to download but will require an Xbox Live Gold membership to make use of. No word on whether or not it will be available on local Xbox Live, but if it is then we can expect it around our autumn 2011.
Last Updated: January 6, 2011
Rez
January 6, 2011 at 14:20
This reminds me of the 70’s Show and if the Kinect can pick up had gestures and real world items it would be really interesting.
Gavin Mannion
January 6, 2011 at 14:25
Most of that doesn’t interest me at all… but the fact that it can track facial expressions is exciting.
NiteFenix
January 6, 2011 at 15:23
Aweskims!
Kohana
January 6, 2011 at 21:42
Cool! I’d like to try that. First to get a Kinect, then I just might. ^_^
lans
January 6, 2011 at 23:55
I KNOW WHAT THIS FORUM NEEDS
lans
January 6, 2011 at 23:55
I WILL GIVE YOU JUSTICE!
lans
January 6, 2011 at 23:56
TOMMOROW WE LAUNCH THE GREATEST MILITARY CAMPAIGN IN OUR HISTROY
lans
January 6, 2011 at 23:57
THE GAMING WORLD IS IN DISSARY!
lans
January 6, 2011 at 23:57
VIVA KILLZONE 3
WE’VE COME….TO FINISH WHAT WE STARTED!!!
THIS IS AN OUTRAGE!
FAP FAP FAP FAP FAP
Gavin Mannion
January 7, 2011 at 05:55
And here I was worried that you would disappear once GT5 was released. Glad to see you are back
Banana Jim
January 7, 2011 at 11:19
And the avatars are glued to their seats (irony) to stop you from dry-humping the air and causing a scene on Avatar Kinect 🙁 This could have been awesome, if they just copied PS Home and allowed you full control of your avatar.
This is as disappointing as their arcade room offering…