| Kinect Star Wars | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | Terminal Reality |
| Publisher(s) | LucasArts |
| Distributor(s) | Microsoft Studios[1] |
| Platform(s) | Xbox 360[1] |
| Release date(s) | Summer 2012 |
| Genre(s) | Action[1] |
| Rating(s) | |
Kinect Star Wars is an upcoming Star Wars video game by LucasArts and Terminal Reality and published by Microsoft Studios for the Xbox 360 that utilizes the Kinect motion peripheral.[2][1] Intended for players 13 or older,[2] it is set to be released in Summer 2012.[2][3]
Contents |
The playable character in Star Wars Kinect is a Jedi and one of several new characters who will be introduced by the game. Using the controller-free Kinect system, the player stands in front of the television and uses hands to lift and throw objects with the Force or wield a lightsaber, uses body movement to drive to control X-wing starfighters and podracers, or uses a voice component to make additional commands. It takes places during the prequel trilogy timeline of the Star Wars universe, beginning shortly after Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace and concludes during the events of Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. The game also includes settings from the original trilogy, such as the planet Bespin featured in Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back. The player will also fight Darth Vader in the game.[2]
Microsoft Game Studios had planned to develop a Star Wars game since early in the development of the Kinect system. Kudo Tsunoda, creative director for Microsoft, said of this decision: "It's one of those things where you can see how the unique parts of Kinect can bring to life the fantasy of being a Jedi in a way no other game console or media can do."[2] Craig Derrick was LucasArts' lead producer on Star Wars Kinect. The visuals of the animation were augmented in such a way to make the Jedi fighting techniques appear realistic because, Derrick said: "What we found early in development is that [no one wants] to look like 'Star Wars kid' in front of [their] friends."[2] The release of the game was formally announced at the Electronic Entertainment Expo on June 6, 2011, where the first gameplay trailer and portions of the game were shown.[1]
A limited edition console bundle will be launched alongside the game with the Xbox 360 set to be designed to look like R2-D2. The bundle will include the console with a 320GB HDD, a white Kinect sensor and the gold controller modelled after C-3PO.[4] The bundle will be sold for a MRP of $449.99 in the United States, $548 in Australia and £349.99 in the United Kingdom.[5]