Microsoft Confirms Kinect for Windows SDK For Spring 2011

27
Richard Walker

Microsoft has announced that it is going to release a non-commercial Kinect for Windows software development kit (SDK) in spring 2011, effectively giving app developers a 'starter kit' make it easier for academic research and modding communities to put together potentially fresh and unique experiences using Kinect technology.

Coming from Microsoft Research in collaboration with the Interactive Entertainment Business, the Kinect for Windows SDK will help support a growing community looking to explore the Kinect tech, granting access to "deep Kinect system capabilities" like audio and system APIs as well as direct control of the sensor.

Microsoft is planning to subsequently deliver a commercial version of the SDK at a later date, although there are no details on these plans at present.

Academic researchers and enthusiasts have already turned their hand to hacking Kinect to create their own applications for the motion sensor on the the PC, but in planning to release the Kinect for Windows SDK this spring, Microsoft will give app developers the tools to build new apps utilising Kinect technology.

Essentially, this means that you'll hopefully be able to legitimately play Kinect on your Windows PC with crossover potential for mod-created applications being ported across to Xbox 360. That's what we reckon anyway. We'll just have to see what happens when the non-commercial Kinect for Windows SDK launches this spring.

Comments
27
  • Sounds good!
  • Would love to see some unique kinect games on xbla
  • Thats sick
  • Lol, you guys should read this month's issue of MAD magazine. There is a thing in there and I think its called like top 10 uses for your microsoft kinect, its pretty funny
  • First step towards Kinect being just as much for the "hardcore".
  • I was watching the Adult Entertainment Expo on G4 the other day and one company already has an "Adult" Kinect game for the computer.
  • So basically, Microsoft is letting the general public discover the Kinect's potential. That's actually not a bad idea.
  • @6 Kinect fapping game?
  • @6 and 8...I saw it as well, and it was interesting, to say the least! Concept is you use the Kinect to "grope" your online partner (or AI) and you use micro transactions to purchase different sex positions/ partners/ and outfits/ locations. Graphics weren't the greatest, but it's supposed to be a "free to play" and is definitely different. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJoVvVXnGl0
  • I was amused by it. and @8 more or less.
  • i guess if any 30-something nerds are still wondering what sex is like there has never been a better time to invest in technology!
  • Fuck Kinect. This shit is ruining gaming more than Activision.
  • Funny, normally a company like Microsoft wouldn't condone hacking their products, and now they're encouraging it. This should lead to some fresh and interesting game ideas.
  • This is good for gaming, but it's even better for Kinects uses outside of gaming.
  • That is actually probably the best thing MS have done with Kinect, now the real gamers can start making some hardcore stuff :D
  • @12 By the amount of comments above you, it seems to me, you will actually be "fucking" kinect very soon lol
  • @12 How exactly? Kinect is bringing people who have never played games before onto 360 because you dont need a controller and its pretty easy to pick up. More players = more money. More money = more games. Because you dont like kinect or the concept of it does not make it a poor product or a product which is "ruining gaming". OT: I think this is awesome news. Kinect is a very powerful bit of kit and allowing people to harness the power of it to create new idea's is great.
  • Wake me up when there is some kick ass games out plz.
  • And..... Most intelligent comment of the day goes to comment #12 You are the proud winner of a dog bomb Seriously? Kinect is "ruining" gaming? What will ruin gaming is narrow minded people like yourself not allowing the horizon to broaden.
  • If anything new gets entered into a console hardware wise, then it can only be a good thing :) i got one through testing so im not complaining :F
  • Sorry for double post... The more developers and people get involved with this technology, the quicker it can evolve. The possibilities for Kinect are near endless and the more minds involved in such practices will hopefully mean it will be sooner rather than later that we start to see top titles worthy of the device. I think #17 hits it on the head...
  • Fuck yeah! Love more kinect games!
  • I've never really been a big fan of Kinect but this sounds exciting. This is exactly the sort of thing that's needed to push the capabilities of the Kinect forward and potentially expand its audience. Should be interesting where it takes the product.
  • @12 If you dont like Kinect, get yourself a PS3 and play with a cheap imitation of the Wii's controller *cough* PS move *cough*
  • @12 - Yeah, because letting people use it for non-gaming ideas is ruining gaming. Tit.
  • @13 microsoft are also allowing certain groups to hack wp7. if they can get people to release the full potential of their items for nothing, and by people that want to use these items, then some amazing things will be happening on kinect and wp7 in the future.
  • Sounds good. Time to reboot my programming skills.
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