Kinect for Windows SDK

[Dejan]

Microsoft has released a beta SDK for Windows, allowing Windows developers to officially make use of the XBox Kinect hardware. From their own press release: "The Kinect for Windows SDK, which works with Windows 7, includes drivers, rich APIs for Raw Sensor Streams, natural user interfaces, installer documents and resource materials. The SDK provides Kinect capabilities to developers building applications with C++, C# or Visual Basic using Microsoft Visual Studio 2010."

This actually sounds like it could be a good idea, only thing is a lack of Avatars. What do you guys think?

http://www.osnews.com/story/24855/Kinect_for_Windows_SDK
http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/16/microsoft-launches-kinect-for-windows-sdk-beta-wants-pc-users-t/

 

[HeffeD]

I think that Kinect is pretty amazing technology, but not such a great peripheral for most gaming.

Since there are no controls to move your character, you can only go where the game wants you to go. I mean, have you seen the Star Wars Kinect gameplay footage?



Combat looks entertaining until you realize that you basically just stand in place and let the enemies come to you. Yes, you can rush forward, jump, or dodge, but that really isn't giving you any freedom of movement. You're directed to where the game wants you to be. Can you imagine a Call of Duty type game where you are not allowed to take cover where you want to take cover?

I'm disappointed that Fable 4 is going to be a Kinect game. For an open world exploration type franchise, I think this is going to be a huge step backwards...

However, releasing the SDK for PC users will likely have some amazing results. Someone will come up with some mind-blowing use for the thing.