One year ago this week, Xbox 360 set out to change the way we interact with games and entertainment with the launch of Kinect (see our review here). Controller-free games and entertainment – once the stuff of science fiction (think Minority Report) – had become a reality through the magic of Kinect.  Sales immediately soared with more than 10 million Kinect sensors sold, setting the Guinness World Record as the fastest-selling consumer electronics device in 60 days along the way.

Kinect opened up Xbox to a broad set of new audiences bringing new categories of entertainment to the platform. People were inspired, but wanted to use this interface for their computers as well. Six months ago, a diverse group of hobbyists and academics from around the world embraced the possibilities of Kinect. They downloaded the Microsoft Kinect for Windows SDK and began developing creative applications and innovative uses in healthcare, education, art etc.  Microsoft has recognized this phenomenon as “The Kinect Effect.”

Go take a look at some of Microsoft’s vision of the Kinect Effect – “Even though the world keeps asking us what we will do with Kinect next – we are just as excited to ask the world the same thing”.

Marking the 4^th of November anniversary of Kinect, Xbox 360 today announced that the Kinect for Windows commercial program will be launched early next year. The commercial program will give businesses the tools to develop applications that not only could improve their own operations, but potentially rethink the way businesses use interfaces. To date, more than 200 businesses worldwide—including Toyota, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and Razorfish— have joined a Kinect for Windows pilot program to begin exploring the possibilities of Kinect.

Prepare to see some really creative implementations now that the Kinect is now longer tied to the Xbox…

Bandwidth Blog is excited to share the news that Xbox LIVE, the premier online gaming destination, will launch in South Africa on November 10^th 2010.

Xbox LIVE is about building communities and connecting people to each other and to great content.  The launch in South Africa is another step toward our vision for LIVE – to deliver the entertainment you want, shared with the people you care about, wherever you are in the world.

The service in South Africa will focus first on delivering the core gaming and community features that have made Xbox LIVE the world’s premier online gaming destination. Play your favorite multiplayer games with friends on Xbox LIVE, rack up your Gamerscore and download the latest Xbox LIVE Arcade and Games on Demand titles in the comfort of your living room. You can even extend the life of your games by downloading the latest Game Add-ons, which include map packs, levels, characters and songs.

With an Xbox 360 and broadband internet connection you can connect and join LIVE for free to access your personal profile with Gamerscore, Gamertag, and Avatar as well as the Xbox LIVE Games Marketplace, and free game demos. An upgrade to Xbox LIVE Gold membership will allow you to play games with your friends online, including great new Kinect titles, or video chat with Video Kinect. It also allows you to receive early access to content and exclusive Gold discounts. An Xbox LIVE Gold 12-month membership will be available for R599.

For those with existing Xbox LIVE account for another region, you’ll be able to migrate to the local service and keep your Profile, Gamer Score, Achievements, Microsoft Points Balance and paid for Subscription time remaining. You can also keep all the downloaded content stored on your hard-drive such as your Avatar items, LIVE Arcade games and songs. For full details on account migration, please visitwww.xbox.com/En-za/live/faq.htm

For more information about Xbox LIVE visit www.xbox.com/En-za/live/default.htm

Follow South Africa’s local Xbox 360 Twitter page @Xbox360ZA and on the Facebook page Xbox 360 South Africa.

Simon Pegg, John Cleese, and Academy Award winner Sir Ben Kingsley headline this October’s revolutionary action-adventure experience in Fable 3.

It takes a village, so goes the popular adage, and never has this been truer than in Fable 3. As you embark on your own revolution to seize the throne from an evil tyrant you’ll be flanked by a supporting cast that features some of Hollywood’s most renowned talent, with film accomplishments that include “Monty Python,” “Star Trek,” “Harry Potter,” “The Lord of the Rings,” “Pirates of the Caribbean,” “Alice in Wonderland,” and the upcoming “X-Men: First Class.”

Available today, the latest installment to the popular “Inside Lionhead” video documentary series features the talented cast, including Sir Ben Kingsley, Michael Fassbender, Simon Pegg and more, as they reflect back on their experiences working on Fable 3. From topics such as Sir Ben Kingsley picking up a Welsh accent to how Michael Fassbender prepared to take on a villain’s role in his first video game voiceover project, watch what happens when the star-studded cast applies their craft to Fable 3 – this October’s most anticipated title.

The ‘Fable’ franchise has always been recognised for its unique take on drama, morality, and of course, humor,” said Yvette van Rooyen, Xbox Product and Marketing Manager for Microsoft South Africa. “We’re taking this to the limits in Fable 3 by bringing on a star-studded cast that includes Sir Ben Kingsley, John Cleese and Simon Pegg, who truly understand what it takes to bring characters to life in complex ways and add new dimensions of blockbuster entertainment.

“This is my first experience voicing a video game, so what drew me to it was the team, how committed they are, how well organized everything is and how beautiful the game is,” said Sir Ben Kingsley in the video documentary. “One of the things that’s missing from a lot of video games is good writing and good voice work. I think this one has a wonderful mythology and it’s witty and it’s engrossing,” added Simon Pegg in the video documentary.

Interact with these critically acclaimed actors in Fable 3 like never before. Talk politics with Sir Ben Kingsley, dish over the latest fashions with John Cleese or stir up trouble with Simon Pegg, all while plotting to bring the tyrannical King Logan – voiced by Michael Fassbender – to his knees. The Fable 3 voice-cast brings together some of the world’s most talented actors from all genres of the big screen, silver screen and theater, including:

• John Cleese as your trusty butler and confidant, Jasper
• Sir Ben Kingsley as the leader of the mountain dwellers, Sabine
• Simon Pegg as attention-seeking soldier Benn Finn who is looking for action
• Michael Fassbender as the evil King Logan whom your “Fable III” hero will lead a revolution against
• Zoë Wannamaker returns as Theresa. She was last seen taking over the Spire in Fable II, but who knows what her real motivation is?
• Stephen Fry returns as Reaver, the narcissistic marksman blessed with eternal youth
• Bernard Hill as Sir Walter Beck, your faithful mentor
• Nicholas Hoult as the potential male love interest, Elliot, to your Fable 3 female hero
• Naomie Harris as Page, the leader of the rebels who reside in Bowerstone

Fable 3 will be available in a Standard Edition R699 and Limited Collector’s Edition R799 for Xbox 360, and is available now for pre-order at participating retailers. Fable 3 launches in South Africa on 29^th October 2010.