Joanna Hunkin: E3 Madness

Joanna Hunkin opinion

By Joanna Hunkin ONE News Entertainment Reporter

Published: 6:43AM Thursday June 17, 2010 Source: ONE News

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You'll have to forgive me if this blog is a little scattered - it's been an insane few days.

I have been visually, aurally and virtually assaulted by every creature you can imagine at the E3 expo in Los Angeles.

I have seen monsters' spines ripped out of their bodies, and ninjas heads severed by samurai swords.

I have seen dismembered body parts splatter screens from bomb explosions. And street fighters beat each other to bloody, dripping pulp.

Most disturbingly, I have seen hordes of fan boys drooling over these scenes - enraptured with the high definition graphics and realistic Foley effects.

Yes, you're right, sir. That splatter does sound just like a man's head flew 30m through the air. How, er, clever.

Wandering around the LA Exhibition Centre, there were times I wondered if it had all been a lie.

As I found myself dodging the over-sized backpacks of limp-haired gamers, engrossed in whatever splatter show was on display - there was no evidence of the "new gaming" phenomenon people kept telling me about.

Xbox and Playstation might have developed fun, motion sensor technology for all the family - but these guys weren't there for Singstar Dance challenge.

But while they may have formed the majority inside the expo - they won't be outside of it.

The majority of people (like myself) couldn't care less about Murderous Tendencies and Psychotic Behaviour, version 4.0.

But they will be excited - or at the very least curious - to know about Xbox Kinect and Playstation Move.

I explained a bit about them last week - but now we have the full details. More importantly, I've tried both of them .

Kinect is Xbox's hands-free console - formerly known as Project Natal. It uses voice commands and hand movements to control its actions.

If you're watching a film and say "Xbox Pause", it will.

This certainly holds appeal for those constantly in search for the remote - or trying to work out which one controls the DVD player.

But I'm still not convinced voice activation will ever catch on. For years I've had cellphones with voice dialing and have never used it.

Years ago, Apple brought out a computer with voice-activated functions and my Dad, being the computer nerd he is, bought one.

He spent two weeks repeating the same command to the computer in different voices before finally giving up.

The Xbox technology is certainly more advanced than that. But nothing can change the fact, you still sound like a plonker talking to your television.

For me, the appeal of Kinect lies solely in its games. And possibly it's video chat - which will essentially be Skype through your telly.

Of all the games available, Dance Central is definitely the stand out. Developed with hip hop choreographers, the game teaches you individual moves, building up to full body popping routines.

It's destined to be the next big party game.

Kinect also has big potential on the fitness front - as the full body motion sensor can actually monitor your movements and correct your position. If your leg isn't bent properly, the Kinect will see and tell you to fix it.

This is something Nintendo Wii - and now Playstation Move - lack. The motion sensor technology is only controlled through a physical remote - which means it can only monitor what your arm is doing.

But they do have advantages on other fronts. Despite Xbox's best efforts to convince me otherwise - I just can't see the fun in pretending to race a car with no steering wheel.

Sometimes, you just need something to hold on to - and the Playstation Move will definitely outshine Kinect when it comes to any kind of racquet sports or sword fighting games.

By developing their motion sensor technology in separate directions, the industry leaders and rivals have actually done each other a favour.

For the first time, they have a major point of difference - and a lot of people won't be able to choose one over the other.

They'll just have to buy both.

Read more of Joanna Hunkin's articles.

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