14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft has confirmed that the basic bundle for its upcoming Kinect motion tracking system will cost 149.99 dollars and will include the device itself and Kinect Adventures, a game which is set to show off the capabilities of the new device. Sony had previously made clear that the starter package for its own PlayStation Move system will include a camera, the main wand like controller and a demo disc for 59.99 dollars, with the sub controller costing an additional 29.99 dollars.
There are some who claim that the Microsoft made Kinect offers a more innovative experience and that the price for the PlayStation hardware quickly adds up. There are others who say that the Move technology is better suited for traditional gaming experiences and that the Microsoft solution will only offer limited freedom of movement. Both sides have arguments but when the launch dates arrive for these new systems players would be best served by putting the money they would spend on them aside and use them to get some video games over the Christmas period.
Microsoft and Sony are each trying to both get more money from those who already own a PlayStation 3 or a Xbox 360 and to expand the possible customer group for their home gaming consoles. It's impossible to do both at the same time. Sony, with the prices it has set (lower at first glance), seems to be interesting in enlarging the audience. The 150 dollars price tag for Kinect suggests that the motion tracking is for now aimed at early adopters. It's unlikely that any of the two devices will see huge sales initially, given the general weakness of the hardware market and the on going financial troubles of the targeted audience. Which means that soon after launch gamers might actually see prices drop significantly on motion tracking able consoles, with Nintendo itself reacting by making the Wii with the Motion Plus add on cheaper than it is at the moment. Given the possibilities for early 2011 Kinect and Move are only interesting when they go under 100 dollars for the starter package.