Kinect finally coming to the PC in 2012

Microsoft has revealed that new Kinect hardware for Windows PCs will be released next year. Microsoft has optimised certain hardware components of the existing Kinect for Xbox 360 device and also made firmware adjustments in order to better suit the requirements of PC users.

“Since announcing a few weeks ago that the Kinect for Windows commercial program will launch in early 2012, we’ve been asked whether there will also be new Kinect hardware especially for Windows. The answer is yes,” Craig Eisler, general manager for Kinect for Windows said in a blogpost on Microsoft’s developer network site.

“Coupled with the numerous upgrades and improvements our team is making to the Software Development Kit (SDK) and runtime, the new hardware delivers features and functionality that Windows developers and Microsoft customers have been asking for.”

Eisler explained that some of these changes include the shortening of the USB cable to ensure reliability across a broad range of PCs, as well as the new firmware changes that allows the depth camera to see objects from as close as 50 cm in front of the device, without losing accuracy.

Xbox LIVE update bringing new entertainment experience to console owners

On the topic of Microsoft, the software giant also revealed this week that a significant new Xbox LIVE service update will be available to Xbox 360 owners on 6 December. This update will be free to all owners of Redmond’s console and will bring a newly designed user interface (UI, dashboard), expanded voice control with Kinect, as well as the first group of new entertainment custom applications.

According to the Redmond-based software giant, the new dashboard is built from the ground up to take full advantage of voice control. Users will be able to navigate their console’s UI using their voices or by making gestures with Kinect for Xbox 360.

In related news Microsoft also announced the acquisition of video discovery technology company VideoSurf this week. Redmond stated that it will integrate the firm’s technology across its entertainment platform, in order to enhance the Xbox 360 ecosystem and improve search and discovery of entertainment content over the Xbox LIVE network.

Freebie for Saints Row: The Third announced

THQ and Sony Computer Entertainment Europe have announced a sweet freebie for Saints Row: The Third PS3 gamers. All players who purchased this game on PS3 and redeem their online pass codes within the next 90 days, will receive a free copy of Saints Row 2 (valued at R199). The game will be available as of next week and the offer expires on midnight on the 13th February 2012.

The offer applies to many countries within the EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) region including South Africa, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Spain, United Arab Emirates and the UK.

This latest announcement follows THQ’s earlier introduction of a Saints Row Season Pass, providing gamers with access to all three future Saints Row: The Third DLC Mission Packs as well as the Nyte Blayde DLC pack. The Season Pass goes for a recommended retail price of $19.99 (around R171), delivering a total anticipated savings of over 15% if you purchased each DLC pack separately.

The three DLC mission packs are Genkibowl VII (coming in January 2012); Gangstas in Space (scheduled to be available during winter 2012, summer 2012 for us) which is The Saints' first intergalactic misadventure; and The Trouble With Clones which drops during spring 2012 (autumn 2012 for us). Included with the bonus Nyte Blayde DLC pack is the Nyte Blayde mobile which is a blood-red, vampire-hunting sports car, Altar Boy outfit, Bloody Canoness outfit and the turbo-charged Bloody Canoness Bike.

Zynga hit with lawsuit over Ville suffix

Within the world of tech, the rise of patent lawsuits involving such companies as Apple and Samsung as well as HTC, has now also moved to the realm of gaming. Houston-based game developer Night Owl Games (NOG) has filed a pre-emptive lawsuit with the Texas district court against social gaming firm Zynga. This legal action follows Zynga's request for NOG to remove a patent application for the name Dungeonville.

According to Texas district court documents, Night Owl Games filed a trademark for the name Dungeonville on 10 February 2011 with the US Trademark and Patent Office. The company  stated that it has invested time and money developing a component player level for its social network game Dungeon Overlord, entitled Dungeonville.

It has now asked the court to deliver a declaratory judgement that the proposed trademark for the name Dungeonville, doesn’t infringe Zynga's trademarks for the use of the “Ville” suffix, in popular title’s such as Facebook social games FarmVille, PetVille and FishVille. NOG also wants Zynga to pay its attorneys fees, as well as other expenses that has arisen because of this issue.

Lionel Messi transferred to EA Sports’ team

One of the most recognisable faces from the world of football, Barcelona and Argentina forward Lionel Messi, has been selected by EA to be the face of its FIFA football franchise. EA Sports announced that it signed Messi to a multi-year endorsement contract, which will see him becoming the global face of the company’s FIFA range of games, kicking off in March 2012 when Messi will don the cover of FIFA Street (trailer poster below).

"Our FIFA franchise is the number one selling sports videogame franchise in the world, and Lionel Messi is the number one player in the world, so this agreement is a true partnership of superstars," said Matt Bilbey, VP and general manager of soccer at EA Sports. "With Messi on our team we have the world's best and most exciting player to help EA Sports maintain its global leadership in the years ahead."

"I want to be part of the team behind the best sports game in the world and be associated with the great EA Sports name," stated Messi. "EA Sports is a brand that shares my values of creativity, excellence and social responsibility,” he continued, revering to EA Sports that will team up with the Leo Messi Foundation to support social, educational and health care related initiatives for children around the world.

Messi was the face of Pro Evolution Soccer (PES) 2009, PES 2010 as well as PES 2011, but was replaced with Real Madrid winger Cristiano Ronaldo with PES 2012.