Kinect Powered Gears of War Could Be on Rails Shooter

A new rumor, accompanied by a screenshot, suggests that Microsoft is getting ready to push its Kinect motion tracking system to more hardcore spaces by delivering an experience that uses it and is set in the very popular Gears of War universe.

Sources have told Kotaku that the long-rumored Kinect powered Gears of War video game is real and in development with a demo version now up and running, using some old art assets coming from Gears of War 2.

Another source then suggested that the picture seen attached to this article is actually from an older development version of the game and that the finished product will use Gears of War 3 style graphics.

It seems that the new game will allow players to use Kinect in order to control some of the actions of the main characters but this will not include movement, with the Gears of War spin off being an on rails shooter at its core.

The sources have not suggested when Microsoft might officially announce the mix between Kinect and Gears of War and when it might be launched.

This could be the new and surprising gameplay that Epic Games was set to show off at the Spike VGA ceremony which was pulled prior to the show, apparently because Microsoft believed the demo was not ready.

Cliff Bleszinski, the leader on the development of the Gears of War series, has repeatedly said that there will be no Kinect support in Gears of War 3, but he left the door wide open for a spin off to use motion tracking.

Epic Games recently registered the trademark Gears of War: Exile and has not offered any information on its possible uses.

Microsoft has gone on the record as saying that in 2011 it will be looking for more possible uses for Kinect, with the focus being on appealing to all categories of gaming and expanding the installed base.