The Geek Church

As the E3 2010 conference in Los Angeles gets underway this week, Microsoft is already grabbing people’s attention with the recent demonstration of their new motion control system, Kinect (previously named project Natal). There were several games for children, groups and adults shown at the event and you can expect game developers such as Konami, Lucas Arts and Turn 10 Studios to be involved with the launch of Kinect as well. Popular titles like Star Wars and Metal Gear Solid are scheduled to arrive on the new controller system in the near future.

The Kinect device itself consists of a RGB camera, 3D depth sensors, and a multi-array mic and it also has a motorized tilt function. Microsoft intended for it to be a new kind of dashboard interface controller for the X-Box 360. In order to use it, you first log-in by waving your hand. Then your hand movements will control a cursor on the screen, allowing you to make selections on the displayed menu and browse through featured content. This new motion control system is designed to respond to your voice as well. According to Crunch Gear, Kinect might be the closest thing resembling the technology seen in the film, Minority Report so far.

With Kinect, Microsoft is taking a more direct approach to the concept of motion control than Nintendo or Sony. On the Wii and the PS3, motion control relies on the use of an actual hand-held controller. While the absence of a more conventional controller could lead to some problems in gameplay, there is definite potential with the user interface for Kinect. Thus, Microsoft’s new game control system may spark the beginning of a new age where hand-held controllers for PC and console gaming would be obsolete.

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This past Sunday, President Obama made time in his busy schedule to serve as a key-note speaker at a graduation ceremony for Hampton University. Of course, he gave a speech to congratulate the college graduates on their accomplishment, encourage them about their potential and inspire them to embrace their future with passion and vision. However, his commencement address to the students took a very bizarre turn when he chose to identify certain game consoles and mobile tech products as detriments of our society.

In his speech, Obama specifically mentioned the X-Box, Playstation, iPod and iPad and described them as devices that devalue and weaken the power of information. According to the U.S. President, information is supposed to be a tool of empowerment for people in our society, especially the nation’s youth. Furthermore, his argument is that personal electronic devices of entertainment only turn knowledge into a distraction or diversion. Apparently, Obama believes that the impact of these game consoles and mobile tech products is a threat to the future of this generation’s youth, our country’s future and even our system of democracy. You might be interested to know that the President previously bashed the X-Box last year during a speech to the NAACP as well. In that speech, he argued that parents have to be involved in their children’s education and must remove the game console as a distraction.

Nonetheless, it is important to note that Obama also admitted his own lack of knowledge and experience with these devices since he has never used them. Personally, I find it amusing that the U.S. President is openly criticizing products of entertainment, communication and internet access even though he’s never tried them before. This argument in his speech about the devaluing of information in society seems to be a basic ploy to score public relation points with parents and graduating students who shun these devices. Politicians are certainly known for targeting popular products in our culture for open contempt to gain public favor during their speeches. Sadly, this commonly leads to poorly-conceived arguments and statements that only come back to hurt the reputation of these politicians after public and media reactions have fully set in. Indeed, this may also apply to Obama’s attack on game consoles and mobile tech products as well.

At least his recent statement didn’t include the Wii. Nintendo, you can still breathe easy for now but watch your back.

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In the ever-changing world of gaming, online play has become a standard for the game experience. With an online account from a provider such as Microsoft or Sony and a reliable, internet connection, gamers now enjoy being able to play in the same game together and talk to each other during their online play. Of course, there is one more piece of equipment is required for online play. This device is the gamer’s headset. Normally, a specific headset is designed for either console gaming, PC gaming or both. But now there’s a new headset that covers gaming for multiple systems.

This new headset was created by Astro Gaming and they call it the A30 Cross-Gaming Headset. This device was specifically designed for versatility in using different kinds of gaming systems. The A30 is equipped with three different cable adapters that are compatible with game consoles, personal computers and handheld devices. Compatible systems include the X-Box 360, PS3, PSP, Nintendo DS, PC and the iPhone. This headset can also be used to answer calls on your phone.

Thus, adaptability is basically what the A30 offers to the gamer who doesn’t want to be confined to a specific system. The headset also has two microphones. One of the mics is a roll-one unit for games and Skype and the other is used to answer phone calls. The A30 is packing Dolby 5.1 sound and is available for $150.

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Hey there, gamers, some of you have spent time playing music games such as Guitar Hero and Rock Band in the last several years. Of course, these games have been popular because they give you the chance to play along with and listen to many of the classic hits of your favorite musical artists. However, this gaming experience isn’t perfect. Gamers are basically playing through a simulation with large, plastic controllers designed to look like guitars. But this lacks authenticity for playing music during a game.

For those of you who want more realism in your music game experience, Seven45 Studios is ready to grant your wish. This company is a game developer that originated from a professional musical instruments manufacturer called First Act, who specializes in making instruments for newer musicians at the beginner’s level. Today, Seven45 Studios announced their new creation called Power Gig: Rise of the Six String. It is a music game that uses real guitars for gameplay.

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I don’t know if you have heard of Project Natal, but it debuted at the big E3 gaming convention at LA last year. It is a something that could easily kick the Wii’s Motion-controlling butt out the door. There is a video of it after the jump, but it essentially is a motion sensor that can make the entire body one big controller. It also uses vocal recognition and scanning for a whole lot of fun. It makes me want to up and buy an Xbox 360 right now.

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