What is wrong with Microsoft? So far, from what I've seen of Kinect, I can't say I'm impressed by their vision for the future. What they presented for this new technology at E3 comprised of mini-games and awkward dashboard controls, with the Your Shape: Fitness Evolved and Dance Central "games" being the only concepts that didn't make me cringe. The problem here is the Wii. Well, more like Microsoft's envy of it. The Kinect has incredible potential for hardcore gamers and casual gamers alike, but Microsoft's heavy lean towards the casual seems to be hurting everyone. Kinect could sell really well with this lean if the price is set appropriately (much less than the rumored $150), but this still leaves the Xbox 360's current base with no reason to support it. If Microsoft doesn't want the Xbox name to become synonyms with that of the Wii, they need to step up their game (my first blog pun!) and show how easy it is to combine Kinect with the types of games we play today. I have a few ideas for it already, and I'm sure that if the folks at Microsoft are smart enough to look beyond the flailing motion games, then they can eventually come to the same conclusions.

The first thing I need to point out is Kinect's biggest advantage for hardcore gamers, as compared to the Wii and Move.

Kinect does not replace the controller.

This might not sound important at first, but because Kinect doesn't require you to hold anything for it to work, your hands are free to stay still and push buttons without having to make extravagant gestures. This unique setup can lead to a few possibilities for hardcore gamers, and here is the angle I think Microsoft should have presented at E3 to get its base interested.

Verbal Commands. This is the most interesting concept for me. Kinect could bring forth a reason for developers to venture into the land of voice command. Traditional shooters could easily benefit from HUD control or basic commands. Want night vision? Say so. Calling in a UAV? Do it literally.

You called?

Beyond the realm of shooters, any RTS could be hugely improved. There has always been the console-relative dilemma of complex systems being unable to find space on the controller, but now, with a little creativity, that problem could be a thing of the past. Producing new units, selecting them, then setting their behavior, could all become as easy as saying that it needs to be done. There are plenty of non-twitch commands that can benefit from being taken to the verbal plane, and if Microsoft decided to push it, I'm sure they could create developer interest in such an intuitive control system. Tom Clancy's End War took a leap into this system back in 2008, and while it had a few flaws, it showed that voice commands could work. To tackle the problem of online chatter vs. Kinect directed commands, there could be a "Kincet talk" button that would mute your mic and make the Kinect listen to you (my vote is the back button.) When it isn't pressed, Kinect doesn't respond. Nice and simple. Kinect is an opportunity for verbal commands to make an appearance in gaming and, so far, it has only been presented to the casual crowd through talks with creepy animals and boys named Milo. Shame on you Microsoft.

Don't look into their eyes.

Motion Command. This one might be a tougher sell for traditional controller games. Simply put, gamers who want a controller, want it because they don't need to move. I for one certainly wouldn't want to have to physically jump while trying to time button presses. This doesn't rule out all options. though. Perhaps every now and then a swipe of your hand could wipe off the blood covering your visor. Or during a tense stealth mission, where words could give you away, military-esque gestures could guide squad mates to vital positions. The problem with hand motions lies in that it takes you away from the "trigger" buttons that you need constant access to. Because of this, the controller / motion control combo simply can't be pulled off in times where precise in-game movement and instant reaction is needed. Depending on how accurate Kinect actually is, head movements or full body tilt could lend further interaction to the game without taking you away from the controller. I'm still a bit hesitant about this, however. Where voice command seems to be a natural fit, motion control seems as if it will have a much harder time working with the traditional game controller. Perhaps when Fable 3 comes out, the promised Kinect functionality will introduce new ways to get around this barrier for hardcore gamers.

Please, sound off below on how you think I did for my first blog. Were the pictures oddly placed? Text too small? Tell me and I will try and change what I can!