Forming part of Microsoft Game Studios’ controller-free gaming spearhead is Kinect Sports for Xbox 360 and Kinect, a collection of sports-themed mini-games that require gamers to mimic the real-life movements of a variety of physical activities in front of the Kinect device to interact with the game.

What this means is that you’ll soon be deftly throwing air punches, frantically running on the spot, intensely curling your arm, swiping with your hands in a frenzy, kicking, jumping and lots more in an effort to increase your score and defeat your friends in the included range of sports games.

Fortunately, it all works amazingly well.

Continue reading El33tonline’s review of Kinect Sports.

Game industry legend, Peter Molyneux, has been promoted within the ranks of Microsoft Game Studios (MGS), to creative director of European studios at MGS.

While Molyneux will continue to manage operations at his company, Lionhead, his duties have been extended to oversee projects at Rare and external projects, amongst others, and ensure better communication and understand within the group. Molyneux commented on his new responsibilities:

“What you’re not going to see is ten Peter Molyneux games. The value of this role is for someone like myself going in and making those little tiny lights of an idea shine as brightly as possible and ensuring everybody within the organisation clearly understands why we’re making those titles, the purpose of those titles and their importance to Microsoft overall.”

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A company called Sumthing Else Music Works has announced the release of a music package called Halo Trilogy - The Complete Original Soundtracks, featuring music from the entire trilogy of Halo games.

Sumthing Else Music Works, in associated with Microsoft Game Studios, is now able to present the works of Bungie Audio Director Martin O’Donnell and Co-Composer Michael Salvatori, as well as four preview tracks from the upcoming Halo Wars, composed by Ensemble Studios’ Audio Director Stephen Rippy, all in one convenient package.

Halo Trilogy – The Complete Original Soundtracks releases today in the US, while Halo fans around the world will be able to access the music as a digital download through www.sumthingdigital.com.

The soundtrack listing follows below:

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That’s the word from Microsoft’s CFO of Entertainment & Devices Division, Mindy Mount, who claimed; “By the end of this month, we expect our global installed base to reach 25 million units, surpassing that of the first Xbox.”

We don’t doubt it, with the console now going into its fourth Christmas period and still selling strongly. Indeed, Mount suggested that this milestone is only the beginning, while explaining that research shows more than a quarter of a console’s sales occur after the price drops to $199 or lower.

The Xbox Arcade is currently retailing at that exact price, following price drops across all of the Xbox units, from the standard version to the Elite. This price drop has reportedly accounted for a sales increase of 42% in the US, 62% in Europe and a massive 500% in Japan.

As for the upcoming Christmas period, Mount said “We have a lot of reasons to be cautiously optimistic” while adding that, while Fable II and Gears of War 2 will continue to be strong sellers during the holiday, she reckons You’re in the Movies could be a ‘sleeper hit,’ especially amongst teens and women.

Microsoft Game Studios (MGS) is set to receive a major injection of industry talent, as it’s been confirmed some high-profile developers have been added to the studio.

Not least of the new hires is Ryan Payton, previously known for his work on the Metal Gear Solid series, working directly with Hideo Kojima at Kojima Productions during the development of Metal Gears Solid 4 as assistant producer. Former Bungie writer/community manager/general funny man has also been confirmed as joining MGS, after leaving Bungie to continue work on expanding the Halo universe. So he never really left, then.

Top engine programmer, Corrine Yu (described by some as the female John Carmack), has already left her former employee, Gearbox, to sign up at MGS while her husband, Kenneth Scott, formerly id Software’s art director, is also to join the growing dream-team. To round off the talent list, David Wu from Pseudo Interactive will be tagging along as a new MGS recruit. MGS head honcho, Phil Spencer gushed:

“Microsoft Game Studios is thrilled to have such talented people working to develop new and exciting projects within the Halo universe and supporting existing projects from studios like Bungie and Ensemble.” With that kind of talent, Phil, you’d better be thrilled.

The first game play footage from Gears of War 2 is now available on Xbox Live Marketplace.

Featuring a personal introduction to the game by Epic Games Design Director Cliff Bleszinski, the trailer promises a look at the “bigger, better and more badass game play in Gears of War 2.” The video takes a first look at in-game chainsaw duels, large scale fights with the Locust Hordes as well as the new visuals.

Gears of War 2 will be available exclusively on the Xbox 360 this November.