14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft is set to debut plenty of unique things later today at its pre-E3 2011 conference, but one of the most important things, Kinect Star Wars has now received its first actual details, as well as a video.
As part of a special feature by Entertainment Weekly, the game has now gotten its first big details, ranging from actual gameplay, during which you'll be able to control the characters with just your body through the Kinect, to the story or locations through which the game guides you.
First off, it seems that the Kinect Star Wars game, currently in development at Terminal Reality, will draw heavy inspiration from both the old and new Star Wars trilogies, and allow for either one or two players to engage in battles.
The Jedi Destiny mode is the actual story, which introduces a few new characters that start their adventure after the events in The Phantom Menace, concludes when Chancellor Palpatine rises to power in Revenge of the Sith, and even includes a battle against Darth Vader.
Gameplay will include a variety of experiences, ranging from regular battles to piloting pod racers or X-wing fighters, all without any controller, just with the help of the Kinect.
Players can use the Force by making certain gestures, as well as wield the iconic lightsabers and see their actions be replicated on the screen, in a more dramatic manner, in order to make players feel powerful.
"What we found early in development is that [no one wants] to look like 'Star Wars kid' in front of [their] friends," says Craig Derrick, LucasArts' lead producer on the project. "If I am doing these actions, and if I am seeing the character on screen repeating those actions, I want to look bad-ass. We decided to augment the animation, so when I sweep my hand right to left with my lightsaber, it's going to look cool. That was a major challenge and it works."
Voice commands are also going to be a part of the Kinect Star Wars experience, but Microsoft declined to showcase or even detail just what it might mean for the game.
Expect more details about Kinect Star Wars later today, when Microsoft kicks off its pre-E3 conference and makes all of its big announcements, but, until then, you can enjoy the first trailer for it below.