Real Steel really personifies Microsoft direction with X-Box.
Just by watching the trailer and reading about the movie it screams Kinect. A robot who's Operating system is created to interact with the user based on his physical actions. The robot sees every action you make and mimic's these actions to fight, the film says that this is the future while all the other robots have archaic control panels and sophisticated control scheme's the robot boxer who is the main robot in Real Steel is controlled by one to one actions which it sees through its cameras.
Considering Microsoft's huge push that Kinect is the future of not only gaming but computers and other entertainment devices it makes perfect sense that they would be all over this film. This robot is the future Kinect, a device that is entirely operated by the users movements which as used to operate the operating system and control the fights directly.
Then there is the obvious fact that the story takes place so far in the future. Microsoft wanting to advertise the X-Box brand and show its longevity are obviously willing to name a non-existent future console. This marketing scheme fits X-Box and Kinect perfectly I couldn't think of a better candidate for a futuristic X-Box ad.
Nothing should be taken from this advertisement and cameo, other then the fact that Microsoft sees a camera based operating system as the future. This is an ingenious placement and I can't wait to see the movie and how Real Steel relates to Microsoft's technological advancements and view of the future!
Edit - I just read the article clarifying that the films producers made it up. I'm pretty sure that the similarities between Kinect and the Robot's operating system and basic plot of the film probably still had something to do with the appearance. Also I am pretty sure they must have notified Microsoft about the inclusion due to Trade Mark and Copyright laws in which case I can guarantee Microsoft also saw the similarities and the ability to send their message about camera based motion controls to the world!
-JC7
"In God We Trust - In Games We Play " - Joel Reimer
