Reid joins the Reykjavik, Iceland-based company as it prepares to launch its biggest game in years, the first-person shooter sci-fi title Dust 514. The hire gives CCP Games some veteran marketing firepower, as Reid previous served as marketing chief for Trion Worlds, GameTap and Microsoft’s Xbox 360 business.

CCP Games has operated the sci-fi massively multiplayer online game Eve Online since 2003. Hilmar Veigar Pétursson, chief executive of CCP, said in an interview that the game has been profitable since 2004 and it has grown its user base every year. Right now, it has 350,000 subscribers, up 10 times since 2004. Those players have shown great allegiance to the title, where they can fly starships around a galaxy, mine resources and build things from them, and fight against players in other alliances. Players are devoted to the hardcore game in part because it has a robust economy for players to buy and sell objects in the virtual world.

Reid (pictured) said in an interview that he is excited about CCP’s opportunity to greatly expand its universe of players with Dust 514, which is a first-person shooter game on the PlayStation 3 that takes place on a planet within the Eve Online universe. What makes it interesting is that Eve Online players can battle above the planet with their starships and make a difference in the battle on the ground. Likewise, the players on the ground in the first-person shooter game can influence what happens up in space with Eve Online. As such, it’s a unique opportunity for groundbreaking cross-platform game play and marketing, Reid said.

Not only is Dust 514 an interesting marketing challenge, it’s also a big technological challenge, Pétursson said. The company has had to more than double its computing power to accommodate a single game environment and backend that is shared by both games. on top of that, CCP Games has to synchronize game play across the PlayStation 3 and PC game platforms.

Reid will also drive the marketing strategy for World of Darkness, an upcoming MMO with a vampire and werewolf theme. That game is in pre-production now.

CCP just recently launched Crucible, the latest free expansion for Eve Online, and it also has a private alpha test going for Dust 514. Reid will be based in the San Francisco Bay Area and report to Pétursson. Reid will run marketing activities such as branding, corporate communications, PR, advertising, social media and customer acquisition.

Most recently, Reid helped launch Rift, the fantasy MMO from Trion Worlds. he managed a team of 50 people and helped get Rift to more than 1 million paid activations in just a few months. he orchestrated the Rift ad campaign, which used the tagline “We’re not in Azeroth Anymore,” a reference to the chief rival World of Warcraft.

Before joining Trion as senior vice president of marketing, Reid was president of publishing at NCsoft West. he was also vice president of marketing for game portal GameTap and director of the Xbox global platform marketing for Microsoft.

Pétursson said, “We’re very happy to have David joining us. We are innovating in this space and have been looking for the right people to help us expand. David is a great evangelist.”

Reid acknowledged that Trion Worlds was an interesting company to work at, but he said he felt that the job at CCP was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

“We had a great launch with Rift and I have nothing bad to say about it,” Reid said. “But I have kept my eye on CCP for a very long time.”

“The success of CCP has been astonishing year after year,” Reid said. “The company has staggering potential, with Dust 514 coming and World of Darkness aiming for a broader audience. CCP is doing something that is very unique among the MMOs. “

“As we enter one of the most important years in CCP’s history, we’ll rely heavily on David to help us bring our revolutionary gaming experiences to even more players, on more platforms, around the world,” said Petursson.

Reid said he would ramp up efforts to get Dust 514 in the hands of the press and will start publicizing the game through a variety of means.

next story: SendGrid raises $21M from Bessemer, Foundry, others to make automated e-mails painless Previous story: Japan’s DeNA teams up with NetDragon to launch mobile social games in China

Companies: CCP Games

People: David Reid, Hilmar Veigar Pétursson

CCP Games hires David Reid as chief marketing officer as Dust 514 nears launch

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Not content with one new XCOM game, 2K (via Game Informer) has lifted the lid on a re-imagining of XCOM: Enemy Unknown, coming to PC, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.

Development is being handled by trusted Civilization studio Firaxis Games and we’re promised a full-on strategy game that puts players in command of a global team fighting aliens.

"It’s been a dream of ours to recreate X-COM with our unique creative vision. We’re huge fans of the original game and it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to re-envision a game that is as beloved as X-COM," said Steve Martin, president of Firaxis Games. "we were careful to keep XCOM: Enemy Unknown true to the elements that made X-COM such a revered game while delivering an entirely new story and gameplay experience for both die-hard X-COM fans and newcomers to the franchise."

Turn-based gameplay is confirmed, as is a real-time strategic view and destructible environments. More details will be found in the February issue of Game Informer.

VideoGamer.com Analysis

The more action orientated XCOM slipped from its March date and is now set for release between April 2012 and March 2013. given the autumn date for Enemy Unknown, we expect XCOM to hit stores in the springtime or even miss 2012 altogether.

Re-imagined XCOM: Enemy Unknown revealed

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Without a doubt, Microsoft hit big time with their foray in the gaming console community. Their first entry was the Xbox and its success helped elevate the technology involved in gaming consoles. Its successor, the Xbox 360 also met similar successes although it did have its fair share of problems. after its initial release in 2005, the box 360 received hardware upgrades which allowed it to store more data and perform better and faster than ever, one of the models, which was released in 2008, was the Microsoft Xbox 360 60GB, also known as Xbox 360 Pro or Xbox 360 Premium.

The Xbox 360 60GB was an upgrade of an earlier version of the Microsoft Xbox 360 Pro/Premium which had a 20GB hard disk. the new upgraded version was highly anticipated by numerous gamers all over the world but because of the problems it encountered in the initial release of the Xbox 360, the highly expected turnout was not met.

But, the Microsoft Xbox 360 60GB has received a big overhaul in its internal aspects and gained a solid position not only as an excellent game console, but also, a multi media hub for an entertainment centre whether in the living room or the bedroom. this was because the Xbox 360, despite having multitude internet content available to it, was also integrated with the online streaming service from Netflix. but again, the 360 was highly dependent on internet connection speed for quality so it wasn’t able to provide true high DVD quality because of the huge file size it generally comes in.

For hardcore gamers who don’t want to shell out the extra hundred bucks for a bigger HDD, 120 GB for the Elite model, the Microsoft Xbox 360 60GB will be adequate enough. While there is another model in the line-up cheaper than the Xbox 360 60GB, the entry level Xbox 360 Arcade, it does not come with a hard disk drive.

Another great addition that Microsoft added for the 2008 line-up was the increase in warranty. because of the highly publicized Three Rings of Death problem many Xbox users experienced, the increase in the warranty period offered a relief for those who might experience the failure, said to be caused by overheating of the unit. the Xbox 360 60GB though had decreased reports of this problem, including all models manufactured in 2007 and later, these are the units equipped with HDMI ports.

And those same models have also received a 65nm processor called the Falcon CPU, which was smaller, generated less heat, and did not require much energy like its predecessor, the 90nm version. but for all intent and purposes, this Microsoft Xbox has an internal system that is designed and built to perform like a computer. It’s capable of producing top notch video output and has a processing power from three cores operating at 3.2GHZ each.

Design wise, the Microsoft Xbox 360 60GB is slightly smaller than the original unit. the new model can also be made to stand up. when laid down, the 360 measured 12.15 inches in width, 3.27 inches in height, and a depth of 10.15 inches, it also weighed 8.8 pounds. the face of this Microsoft Xbox has a hinged door where underneath you will find 2 USB ports and two slots for memory cards.

Sleek and sexy looking with an inward curve, the Microsoft Xbox 360 60GB can also be personalized using interchangeable face plates. inside the box, you will find an instruction book, power lead and adaptor, a headset with mic, Ethernet cable, component lead, component to HDMI converter, component to SCART converter, and a wireless controller.

Despite having problems in the past, Microsoft has done a great job of continually improving the system. And at the end of the day, the Microsoft Xbox 360 60GB certainly delivers in quality and there really is no comparison to the performance quality it provides on its games.

Microsoft Xbox 360 60GB – The 2nd Gen Gaming Console Whiz

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Halo 4

Platform: Xbox 360

One of the biggest reasons for the Xbox 360′s popularity has been the contribution from Bungie’s Halo franchise. Announced at E3, Halo 4 is the sequel of the 2007 game and continues where the 3rd game finished in which Master Chief and Cortana are lost in space and discovering a mysterious planet. with Halo 3 still ranked as the biggest ever selling game on Xbox 360, expect this new installment to gain a hype just a big.

Mass Effect 3

Release date: 6th March NA, 9th March EU

Platforms: PC, PS3, Xbox 360

The final edition in Bioware’s epic trilogy. the sci-fi RPG game follows from Mass Effect 2′s DLC Arrival pack and follows Commander Shepard’s last attempts to the save the galaxy. Unlike the previous two games, the third game includes multiplayer co-op for the first time and will also include a Gears of War style Horde mode.

Borderlands 2

Release date: 1st September

Platforms: PC, PS3, Xbox 360

Set 5 years after the first game, Borderlands 2 comes with new enemies, weapons, environments and a new gun system. As well as that there is also two player spilt-screen and four player online co-op.

GTA V

Platforms: Ps3,Xbox 360(TBC)

The controversial open world game returns. the debut trailer was released by Rockstar Games in november and is set away from Liberty city  but to the L.A based city Los Santos. Rockstar president Sam Houser has said that GTA 5 is a “radical reinvention of the Grand Theft Auto universe”.

Tomb Raider

Release date: TBC

Platforms: PC,PS3, Xbox 360

A young Lara Croft is shipwrecked and kidnapped to strange island. the game has a new look compared to its predecessors and is based on survival rather than discovery. it is also a change from the recognised gameplay with inclusions of quick time events and more complex puzzles.

FIFA Street

Release date: March 2012

Platforms: PS3, Xbox 360

The fourth game is an entirely new change to the series and gets rid of the cartoon style visuals of the third game. EA’s biggest announcement for this game was the signing of Lionel Messi who appears on the cover and is no longer the face of the PES games.

Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Future Soldier

Release date: 6th March NA, 9th March EU

Platforms: PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, DS, PSP

The fourth game in the Ghost Recon series is set in the futuristic settings of the Middle East and Asia. the third person shooter includes more specific aiming and a camouflage setting. the game also uses the Xbox Kinect peripheral and its voice control to present a new way of playing the game.

Assassin’s Creed III

Platforms: PC, PS3, Xbox 360 (TBC)

No confirmation has yet been announced about the surroundings of the game. however the director of Revelations, Alexandre Amacio, has stated that a new Assassin’s Creed game should be released around December 2012. former creative director Patrice Desilets has also said that the game could revolve around the conspiracy theory that the world will end in 2012.

Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance

Release date: TBC

Platforms: PS3, Xbox 360

Between the events of metal gear solid 2 and 4, this installment does not play you in the role of Solid Snake but inside the cyborg ninja Raiden. the game focusses on sword-fighting rather than the traditional stealth gameplay from most of the games.

Max Payne 3

Release date: March 2012

Platforms: PC, PS3, Xbox 360

Another gaming series from RockStar returns with its first on the current generation consoles. Set eight years after the second game, Max has left new York City and has been double-crossed in the new setting of Sao Paulo, Brazil. the new gameplay features include new cover mechanics and an over-the-shoulder zoom aiming.

Upcoming Game Releases of 2012

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Take your self on a gaming experience of epic proportion. the new Xbox kinetic was designed to bring people into gaming that normally would not be a gamer. with an unique full body game play, where your whole body is the controller.

The Xbox 360 has just jumped into the motion sensor gaming technology. the PlayStation 3 just released the PlayStation move controller. Xbox had to come up with something unique of their own, so Xbox has just release the kinetic, which enables full body game play.

The Xbox kinetic is very unique in the fact the kinetic isn’t a controller at all. It’s a sensor which plugs into your console via USB port. the idea behind it, was to create an innovative way to bring games to all ages of people. the kinetic wants to bring people and families together in a social way as you can all play together. So in sorts, the Xbox 360 is now advertising itself as the new family gaming console. the kinetic is very cool, in the fact you play a game the way you think it should be played. If for example you are playing a soccer game, you would use your legs and feet in a similar fashion as playing soccer. this is a perfect way for kids to exercise in the dead of winter. Even for adults of all ages, video games are a perfect way to get off the couch and moving.

The kinetic uses no controllers or cords to play, all sensor technology. the coolest part is the fact it is voice activated. Meaning you can know tell your Xbox 360 console to turn on, shut off, and browse all with the quick movement of your hand. this quite possibly could be the future of the gaming industry.

The kinetic does sound like a great gadget to enhance your gaming experience. the motion sensor sounds great, but how good are the games going to be? Gamers want to be able to play the action adventure, role playing games with this device. the current library only consists of: sports games, exercise games, and so on. the kinetic will cost you around $150, which is pretty expensive for a gadget. I just need to know if quality games or going to be released or will it have the same lack luster library of the Nintendo Wii.

The Future of the Gaming Industry – The Xbox Kinetic Is Truly Remarkable

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As Black Friday and the holiday season approaches, Apple appears to be the consumer electronics brand to beat. a recent Nielsen survey shows kids’ holiday gaming and electronics appetites are whet by a number of top-selling Apple devices – with the iPad leading the pack.

Consistent with U.S. kids’ 2010 wish lists, the Apple iPad is the most desired consumer electronic among kids ages 6-12 for holiday 2011. In fact, the iPad increases its stronghold, with nearly half (44%) of kids expressing interest in the product, up from 31percent in 2010. two other popular Apple devices – iPod Touch (30%) and iPhone (27%) – round out kids’ top three, with computers and other tablet brands each appealing to a quarter of younger consumers.

Many kids will also ask for gaming devices this year, with two products that offer unique gaming technologies – Nintendo 3DS (25%) and Kinect for Xbox 360 (23%) – leading the way. Given the 3DS’ spring 2011 release date and the surge in Kinect interest versus last year (up from 14%), parents can expect both devices to be frequently requested this holiday season. beyond these, older Nintendo DS models continue to resonate with young gamers (22%), while the PlayStation 3 (17%) and Xbox 360 (16%) edge out the Nintendo Wii (11%) as the most desired gaming consoles.

Among consumers ages 13 and older, appeal for the iPad (24%) has also broadened relative to last year (18%), and exceeds that of computers (18%), 2010’s top item. Further, it appears the iPad has successfully paved the way for other tablet offerings, as a notable 17 percent of adults/teens also express interest in non-Apple tablets.

E-Readers (18%) also exhibit heightened appeal among teens and adults compared to last year (15%), while gaming devices on the whole are somewhat less likely to be of interest to the 13+ crowd. The exception is Kinect for Xbox 360, which appeals to 12 percent of those ages 13+, compared to eight percent in 2010; though, notably, last year’s data was collected prior to the product’s well-supported, large-scale launch on November 4, 2010.

With so many products to choose from across both existing and emerging technologies, electronics are well-positioned to find their way onto shoppers’ lists again this season – and parents will clearly have some tough decisions to make as they weigh kids’ wants against their holiday budgets.[PN1]

More insights on gamers, console dynamics, and allocations of time and money within gaming and the broader entertainment category will be featured in the third annual Nielsen 360° Gaming Report: U.S. Market, available in January. Additionally, an overview of key findings from the 2010 version of the report can now be downloaded here[PN2].

Survey conducted among a general population sample of n=3,000 in the United States, October 2011.

Cadenza :: 미국 아이들이 가장 받고 싶은 선물…

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Consistent with U.S. kids’ 2010 wish lists, the Apple iPad is the most desired consumer electronic among kids ages 6-12 for holiday 2011. in fact, the iPad increases its stronghold, with nearly half (44%) of kids expressing interest in the product, up from 31 percent in 2010. Two other popular Apple devices – iPod Touch (30%) and iPhone (27%) – round out kids’ top three, with computers and other tablet brands each appealing to a quarter of younger consumers.

Many kids will also ask for gaming devices this year, with two products that offer unique gaming technologies – Nintendo 3DS (25%) and Kinect for Xbox 360 (23%) – leading the way. Given the 3DS’ spring 2011 release date and the surge in Kinect interest versus last year (up from 14%), parents can expect both devices to be frequently requested this holiday season. Beyond these, older Nintendo DS models continue to resonate with young gamers (22%), while the PlayStation 3 (17%) and Xbox 360 (16%) edge out the Nintendo Wii (11%) as the most desired gaming consoles.

Among consumers ages 13 and older, appeal for the iPad (24%) has also broadened relative to last year (18%), and exceeds that of computers (18%), 2010’s top item. further, it appears the iPad has successfully paved the way for other tablet offerings, as a notable 17 percent of adults/teens also express interest in non-Apple tablets.

When a kid I wanted a Schwinn for Christmas. Today’s kids want an iPad. Imagine next gen’s wishes. – mcculley design lab

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AGOURA HILLS, Calif., Nov 14, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) –The internationally-acclaimed uDraw GameTablet(R) arrives in stores tomorrow for PlayStation(R)3 and Xbox 360(R). Featuring the latest innovations in console gaming technology, the new tablets are the only ones to come equipped with high definition output, motion controls, and a stylus with more than 256 points of pressure sensitivity. with uDraw GameTablet and its robust library of games, players can stretch their imaginations and use their gaming consoles like never before.

Called “feature-rich, versatile and easy-to-use” by Toy Insider’s 2011 Hot 20, the new uDraw GameTablets each include a center-docked stylus for right or left-handed players, and console controls integrated directly into their design. for Wii players, uDraw will also be available tomorrow in a new black design.

“The uDraw GameTablet offers an entirely new way to play on video game consoles,” said Martin Good, Executive Vice President of PlayTHQ(R). “uDraw encourages creative expression, keeps minds active, and offers uniquely engaging gameplay that can be enjoyed by the whole family. It’s the first console-based artistic tool of its kind and we are thrilled to bring it to PS3 and Xbox 360 following our great success with uDraw GameTablet for Wii.”

this Holiday season, all of the family’s favorite franchises are available on uDraw, from Pictionary(TM) and Marvel Super Hero Squad to SpongeBob SquarePants and the Disney Princesses.

uDraw Studio(TM): Instant Artist(TM) comes packaged with the uDraw GameTablet. Instant Artist turns TVs into digital art studios and allows players to tap into their imaginations, complete art lessons, engage in creative activity-based gameplay, or simply draw freestyle with a wide variety of brushes, color palettes and art tools. The game also comes with the option to save and upload artwork directly to uDraw’s online community, where it can be easily shared on Facebook or printed out. uDraw Studio: Instant Artist is rated E for Everyone.

The growing library of uDraw titles will also include Pictionary(TM): Ultimate Edition, a new, high-tech version of the family game favorite. Available exclusively for uDraw on Xbox 360 (SRP US$39.99) and PS3 (SRP US$39.99), the game features new clues, vibrant HD environments, customizable gameplay and new functionality including intuitive touch screen gestures. for Wii, Pictionary(TM) (SRP US$29.99) has been one of uDraw’s most popular games. Both Pictionary(TM) and Pictionary(TM): Ultimate Edition are rated E for Everyone.

In the action title, Marvel Super Hero Squad: Comic Combat, players will unleash the power of the pen using movement-based commands and touch screen functions to battle their way through six comic book “issues” and thwart Doctor Doom’s evil plan. using the uDraw stylus, players can command their favorite Marvel Super Heroes, including Captain America, Thor and the internet favorite, Squirrel Girl, who makes her video game debut in Comic Combat. Rated E10+ for Everyone 10+, Marvel Super Hero Squad: Comic Combat is available for Wii (SRP US$29.99), Xbox 360 (SRP US$39.99) and PS3 (SRP US$39.99).

Recently released on uDraw for Wii (SRP US$29.99), Disney Princess: Enchanting Storybooks captures players’ imaginations as they are swept into the magical worlds of Ariel, Belle, Cinderella, Jasmine, Rapunzel and Tiana. as they help bring color to the princesses’ world, players will enjoy hours of creative activities including magic search, tilt a maze, spot the difference, make a melody, coloring book pages and tilt painting. Disney Princess: Enchanting Storybooks is rated E for Everyone.

Also available on the uDraw for Wii are Pictionary, SpongeBob SquigglePants, The Penguins of Madagascar: Dr. Blowhole Returns — again!, Dood’s Big Adventure and Kung Fu Panda 2.

Rated E for Everyone, uDraw GameTablet is available for Xbox 360 (SRP US$79.99), PlayStation 3 (SRP US$79.99) and Wii (SRP US$69.99).

Visit www.worldofudraw.com to check out the library of games, share and view art, and get involved in the uDraw online community. You can also find us on facebook.com/worldofudraw.

THQ inc. /quotes/zigman/58242/quotes/nls/thqi THQI -7.98% is a leading worldwide developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software. The company develops its products for all popular game systems, personal computers, wireless devices and the internet. Headquartered in Los Angeles County, California, THQ sells product through its global network of offices located throughout North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. More information about THQ and its products can be found at www.thq.com .

THQ, PlayTHQ uDraw, uDraw GameTablet and their respective logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of THQ inc. PICTIONARY and associated trademarks and trade dress are owned by, and used under license from, Pictionary Incorporated and Mattel, inc. (C) 2011 Mattel, inc. all Rights Reserved. all other trademarks are property of their respective owners.

The statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts may be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about the business of THQ inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as “THQ”), including, but not limited to, expectations and projections related to the uDraw GameTablet and associated video games is based upon management’s current beliefs and certain assumptions made by management. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, business, competitive, economic, legal, political and technological factors affecting our industry, operations, markets, products or pricing. Readers should carefully review the risk factors and the information that could materially affect THQ’s financial results, described in other documents that THQ files from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal period ended March 31, 2011, and particularly the discussion of trends and risk factors set forth therein. unless otherwise required by law, THQ disclaims any obligation to update its view on any such risks or uncertainties or to revise or publicly release the results of any revision to these forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release.

this product is manufactured under license from Microsoft Corporation. Microsoft, Kinect, Xbox, Xbox LIVE, Xbox 360, and the Xbox logos are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies.

Wii is a trademark of Nintendo.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=50068071&lang=en

SOURCE: THQ inc.

THQ Publicity Joy Fox, 818-871-5188 Joy.Fox@THQ.com

Copyright Business Wire 2011

uDRAW GameTablet(R) Available Now for Xbox 360, PlayStation(R)3 and Wii(TM)

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While conceived as a device meant to expand the reach of Microsoft’s Xbox 360 gaming platform by allowing people to play video games without the need for controllers, the Kinect has always been destined for a broader future.

Last November, when the Kinect array of microphones, sensors and cameras was on the cusp of hitting the game console, I chatted with the folks behind the technology about that future. Inspired by their unusual technology and motivated to sell it to the world, they aimed for great things

On its surface the Kinect is much like the Wii and Playstation 3 move, allowing gamers to play with natural motions, but the tech behind Microsoft’s device is very different. Where the other two devices track movement of a physical controller, Kinect tracks a body in motion. Then it uses algorithms to build a virtual skeletal system of the player. this visual tracking is augmented by microphones and software that can pinpoint where people are standing and track their movement, carefully picking out what they say and interpreting it.

The relatively inexpensive technology was destined for cellphones, computers, cars, the military, health care and academics, I was told at the time.

The first small steps toward that future are now beginning to come true.

Earlier this year, Microsoft opened up the device and its development software to hobbyists and academics, supporting a surprisingly eclectic use of the Kinect. The results included applications for healthcare, education and art.

Now Microsoft is unveiling the next step in the expanded use of Kinect technology, a commercial program that will open the hardware and software to developers for use in businesses. more than 200 businesses and 20 brands worldwide have already joined the pilot program, which officially launches early next year. among the companies already signed up are Toyota, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and Razorfish.

“We’ve had a skunk-works team working with some of these partners for awhile,” said David Dennis, group program manager of Microsoft’s Xbox team. “Today we’re lifting the veil of secrecy off of that program.”

The pilot program had Microsoft prototyping new concepts with businesses. The end result will be programs that use the familiar Kinect array in retail stores, auto dealerships, banks and other public locations.

Dennis said companies will be able to purchase the Kinect in bulk from Microsoft and that the only difference between the Kinect they will be using and the one used with an Xbox 360 is that the commercial ones won’t have the Xbox 360 logo on them. They’ll just say Kinect.

He did acknowledge that while the Kinect being sold as part of this program is the same as the retail Kinect, the retail Kinect has changed slightly since its launch as some of the parts have been tweaked to “wring costs savings” out of the device in mass production.

The expectation is that the device could be sold to large companies in the “tens of thousands,” Dennis said.

Dennis said that Kinect could be seen as a device that could give a business an edge over competitors, so many pilot program businesses don’t want to talk about their plans until they’re ready to roll it out. A lot of announcements are expected at next year’s Consumer Electronics Show, he said. Toyota declined to discuss its intentions with the device.

Global marketing firm Razorfish has plans around the technology that seem to center on making it easier for potential customers to interact with displays, or tracking their use of marketing kiosks.

“We are pretty excited about the commercial program around Kinect,” said Jonathan Hull, vice president of emerging technology at Razorfish. “We do a lot of custom digital experiences for our clients. We’re looking at Kinect to be one of the pillars. we are really happy to see official support for commercial applications with our clients.”

Hull said they’re already looking at creating kiosks that would allow people to have their bodies scanned and then try on digital clothes and accessories in real time. The live feed from Kinect would allow customers to see themselves wearing and moving in the clothing and accessories. it would also allow for very precise measurements, which could be stored and used from home to order clothing that customers could be sure would fit.

One year after release, Microsoft moves Kinect toward business and science

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The gaming world is abuzz with rumors of a new offering from Microsoft, provisionally codenamed the Xbox 720. if we examine the evidence, it does seem clear that Microsoft are gearing up to amaze consumers with a next generation games console that will make previously releases seem basic and redundant.

Though the facts are hard to come by, there is enough information available to piece together a picture of what the 720 will be like. one thing is for certain, the specs on this new console will involve a significant technological leap forward. When we look at an Xbox 360, and compare it with the latest PC’s, we can see just how much progress has taken place in the years since the 360 was released. if Microsoft want to continue to hold a dominating market share of games consoles sales, they will need to come up with a product that more than matches the latest PC’s.

One area in which there has been a lot of development recently is in CPU power. Various bloggers familiar with the inner workings at Microsoft predict that the 720 will come with a cutting edge AMD fusion chip, or possibly even a new Ivy Bridge Intel special. There is huge pressure from the designers of blockbuster games for console manufacturers to use the most powerful chips in their upcoming products.

Storage is another area in which we can expect to see very obvious developments. PC’s with one terabyte drives are now common place, perhaps Microsoft will steal a march on their competitors by producing the 720 with a cloud storage feature, this would be the easiest way to ensure that the amount of media which can be used is not limited. Other alternatives, such as Blu-Ray and HD-DVD, will perhaps only have a short shelf life.

Whether you love it or hate it, it needs to be stated that gesture control is here to stay. The new Xbox is most likely to make use of Microsoft’s Kinect hardware. already Kinect has broken records in terms of sales of console accessories, but, veteran gamers should not be anxious, it is predicted that the 720 will also come with a traditional game pad. Let’s face it, you can hardly play Gears of War 4 just by waving your arms around

The big question is when will the new Xbox be released, those in the know suggest a Christmas 2012 release, though this may be pushed back into 2013 due to Microsoft’s other commitments. in the meantime, gaming fans will just have to make to with the Xbox 360.

Preview Of The Forthcoming Xbox 720

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