First off the mark, Nintendo has a new social game called, “Wii Party,” which is a crazy set of party games and group activities. In addition to fresh takes on favorites such as bingo and board games, players can experience interactive challenges that leap right off the screen. For example, Animal Tracker asks players to grab the Wii Remote controller that is emitting the correct animal sound, while Hide ‘n’ Hunt has participants hiding controllers around the room and scrambling to find them before time runs out. A total of 13 party games and more than 80 minigames are included in the disc.
November 10th will see Microsoft’s Middle East launch of Kinect for Xbox 360. Kinect will create a controller-free gaming and entertainment experience for the Xbox 360 video gaming platform. It’s basically a webcam-style peripheral for the Xbox 360 that plugs into the console’s USB port. It uses infrared light to track points on the player’s body in realtime, allowing the player to interact with the game in a variety of ways including gestures and spoken commands. Kinect games are designed for full body play and at launch titles will be available that include dancing, sports, exercise, driving and adventure. Kinect is being preordered now bundled with the title “Kinect Adventures,” for $150.
Not even a month later on December 7th, gamers should be ready for “World of Warcraft: Cataclysm,” the third expansion for the world’s most popular subscription-based massively multiplayer online (MMO) role-playing game. The expansion will be available on DVD-ROM for Windows XP/Windows Vista/Windows 7 and Macintosh for $39.99, or as a digital download. A special Collector’s Edition will also be available for $79.99.
In Cataclysm, the face of Azeroth, will be forever altered by the return of the corrupted Dragon Aspect Deathwing. Players will explore once-familiar areas of the world that have now been reshaped by the devastation and filled with new adventures. In an effort to survive the planet-shattering cataclysm, two new playable races — worgen and goblins — will join the struggle between the Alliance and the Horde. As players journey to the new level cap of 85, they’ll discover newly revealed locations, acquire new levels of power and battle to determine the fate of the world.
New PC peripherals are already being announced, timed with the game’s launch. One of the nicest, is an MMO gaming mouse from SteelSeries. The exterior of the mouse evokes the armored plating of Deathwing the Destroyer. In terms of functionality, the MMO Gaming Mouse delivers excellent ergonomics and an intuitive button layout with advanced software functionality. It will retail for $100.
Finally this week, we end with a preview of a massively multiplayer online virtual world that is not set to launch until late 2011. SEE Virtual Worlds has announced that it is creating “Planet Michael,” which will offer fans around the globe an “innovative, first-of-its-kind interactive gaming and social experience.” Planet Michael is being developed as an immersive virtual space themed after iconic visuals drawn from Michael Jackson’s music, his life and the global issues that concerned him. To track the virtual world’s development, register at www.planetmichael.com.
