Bethesda have announced that the previously announced Kinect implementation for the Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim will go live via a mandatory update tomorrow, May 1st. This will add over 200 voice recognizable commands to the game to allow it to interact with the Kinect device, and includes everything from mildly amusing inclusions such as shouting dragon spells at your TV, to much more useful mechanics, such as sorting items by weight and value and using it to navigate the admittedly clunky map design.
It’s a free update, so you might as well check it out if you also happen to own a Kinect. Due to the aforementioned “useful” things I referenced in the last paragraph, I will probably turn my Kinect on and try this out. I’m still not a Kinect advocate, and honestly go through mood swings where I’d happily light it on fire, but this is the type of feature I’ve been clamoring for, so I have no reason to complain. Giving me something that isn’t a gimmick and just as easy to input via a controller. I can honest to God imagine the voice feature for the map system being easier than guiding that clunky cursor around that HUGE map every time I fast travel, and it’s no surprise that one of my favorite developers is the first to actually achieve this. $150 and a year and a half, but dammit Kinect, you’re finally looking sexy! For the most part, I guess.
Check out the link provided within the Joystiq article below, because Bethesda also took the time to build a 4 page PDF that explains and outlines all of the available commands added by Kinect, and how to use them. As much content as the game provided to begin with, it’s really special for them to take the time out to do stuff like this, in a free patch no less. I appreciate developers like this just doing as much as they can to ensure every one has a good time, and a stress free experience. Kudos; now give me DLC!!!
Skyrim Kinect patch out tomorrow [Joystiq]
