This week we were given exclusive access to the most exciting piece of technology being released this year: Kinect for Xbox 360 (formally known as project Natal.) We had a good play around with it and found out if it's worth the hype.

Any good?

As you can see from the video, Kinect is great fun, especially with friends - ridicule is a social medium after all.

In this early demo version there was some lag. In certain games like Kinect Adventures, there was no delay at all between your movements and those of your in-game avatar.

In others there was the occasional gap between your actions and those on-screen. But issues like these are set to be ironed out before release.

Overall, Kinect is a remarkably sophisticated piece of technology which could change the way we interact with our games consoles and computuers forever. Once more games are released after launch, it's difficult to see how this won't be a success.

What games are there?

Here's full list of the titles available when Kinect launches on 10 November 2010 for £129.99:

• Kinect Adventures
  
• Kinectimals
  
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows -part 1
  
• Game Party
  
• Dance Central
  
• Your Shape: Fitness Evolved
  
• The Biggest Loser Ultimate Workout
  
• EA Sports Active 2
  
• Zumba Fitness
  
• Get Fit with Mel B
  
• DanceEvolution
  
• Dance Paradise
  
• Kinect Sports
  
• MotionSports
  
• Sports Island Freedom
  
• Kinect Joy Rider
  
• Fighters Uncaged
  
• Sonic Free Riders
  
• Crossboard 7

What's Kinect?

Using Kinect, your body becomes the controller. Its sensors detect 20 points of movement in your body, and recreates them on-screen. On release it will also include voice commands and facial recognition software that will allow you to sign in to your Xbox with your face alone - say goodbye to passwords.

And it's not just gaming that Kinect is likely to effect. Microsoft is hoping to integrate the technology into PCs later in the year and even the military have been hoping to use it for training purposes.

Find Out More:

• Interview with The Gadget Show's Jason Bradbury
• Review: Nintendo DSi

What do you reckon, will you be investing in Kinect when it comes out? Comment below to let us know!

http://www.bbcfocusmagazine.com/blog/kinect-xbox-360-project-natal-tested?

So what do you all think? You really think Kinect is going to change how we play and interact with video games forever?

Also in the video they claim that the Military, Hospitals and Banks are trying to get their hands on Kinect technology.

Do you believe this?

These people seem to be having fun playing the game.

no lag in kinect adventure?

Lies i tell you lies. My eyes do not deseave me. When i see a video demonstrating no lag then i will believe it doesnt have lag

Well I don't think the Kinect can determine your front from back.

At 0:55, keep your eye on the Avatar character at the top right. Its fine when she is in profile, but it goes crazy when she spins.

I really think Kinect is going to be a success, but I dont know if it will be long term.  None of the gamers I know are interested in it at all. But it isnt aimed at people who play Halo, COD, GTA  etc.   Its for the Oprah crowd. 

I just pray this isnt the future of gaming. 

All the avatar problems should be fixed when they implement the new  more realistic avatars. Most of the glitchy videos showed the old avatars like the one in the video.

Wow that presenter was awful, i don't think i've heard as little enthusiasm in some ones tone ever, and those 3notes of music that looped all the way through the video were intensely irritating after the first minute, i have never heard or seen that show on the BBC is it just some part of the web content?

Anyway kinect looked pretty good

kinect will be massive!

Well I'd be surrpsied if it can determine you are facing away from the camera. But its not really important.

I don't see a scenario where you would need to face away from the TV.

Kinect is targeting at a base that don't buy games. The reals casual base is at the wii whrer the enjoy the likes of mario, wii sports, wii fit. After 2 or 3 weeks, they'll sell them for their monies.