During a recent and interesting CES 2012 presentation, Microsoft revealed a number of incredible facts and figures alongside an intriguing announcement for PC owners.
First, that announcement: After selling 18 million units, Microsoft’s controller-free Kinect gaming device will soon see a release for PC, allowing gamers and application developers direct access to the hardware.
Current versions of Kinect (available for Xbox 360) will only work on PC if you have the special software developer kit (SDK), so if you’re a PC owner and want to get in on the hands-free gaming experience, you’ll need to pay $250 when it launches on February 1st, as opposed to $150 for the standard Xbox 360 version… at least according to a listing at online retailer Amazon.com.
Microsoft also revealed that the Xbox 360 has so far sold an impressive 66 million units around the world, life-to-date, and was the best-selling console in the US in 2011. In addition, there are currently almost 40 million Xbox LIVE members signed up for the online service, while a whopping 1.7 million Xbox 360 consoles were sold in November in the US alone.
To mark a fantastic 2011 in the world of Xbox, Microsoft put together a keen highlights reel trailer with looks at the games, technologies, applications and functionality of the platform:
Xbox 2011 Highlights Reel
- Sleeping Dogs 101: High octane screens and trailer teach us the ropes
- Dead or Alive 5 goes to the circus in zany 'Lei Fang VS Zack' gameplay
- E3 2012: Konami teasing an announcement - Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2?
- Free Mass Effect 3 'Rebellion Pack' arriving soon to reinforce multiplayer
- Ron Gilbert's Double Fine game, The Cave, finally unveiled by SEGA
- Metro: Last Light live-action short film welcomes us to a disturbing future
- The Arrival of Azmodan: A Desperate Plea to the Armies of Light
- Why is War fighting against Death in this Darksiders II screenshot?
- Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition Review
- Exclusive: Halo Infinity Multiplayer revealed for Halo 4, innovative online modes detailed
- Exclusive: Halo 4 Limited Edition announced with South African pricing and pre-order details
- CoD Elite members can cash in on Double XP now, but also welcome your new Call of Duty community manager
Comments:
I was hoping for a few more exciting announcements. The Kinect for Windows is apparently a lot more powerful than the one for the Xbox, but it's really more of a test bed for the second-generation Kinect that will most likely be included with the next Xbox, rather than a new product.
Ok, I'm just going to say it. Microsoft is just tops and it has the best console in the world.....there I said it with pride. I'm a proud owner of 2 Xbox 360's with Kinect. I would love to own a original Xbox, but can't find one.....sigh. I'll support Microsoft all the way, heck I've even been asked to leave the iStore in the Gateway for promoting Microsoft.. but I just game the customer my opinion and he left to buy a Windows Laptop.....
I speak from experience when I say that all of my friend's (myself included) PCs are huddled in an area with not much room for manoeuvrability, so I can't see how in the heck they'll be able to play on a Kinect :/
Oh and POItjie, kudos for being honest with the guy, Microsoft is better ;)
@poitjie you can try Gumtree or bidorbuy i saw a few of them there early last month. It would be more powerful on the pc then xbox, more cpu power, more ram, more everything. Microsoft press showing was a little dull at least Sony got Will Smith and Kelly Clarkson. If only Move could sell that numbers that Kinect sold. I like Move it,Move it, you like to Kinect with people.
Microsoft know exactly what ppl want, and have lernt from their past mistakes, honestly Sony keep making the same mistakes, they have a seriously good product but dont seem to listen to thier fans, sony tries to show boat, i love my pc and i love my Xbox of which i have 3 in my house 2 are mine and one is my brothers
@Smuroh Remember you would have only had 1 working Xbox if I didn't manage to fix your Xbox. still want to know how your brothers Xbox started working again. Maybe the repair magic I did on your xbox rubbed off on it...