http://m.oxm.co.uk/65048/kinect-spo...ame-after-all-free-preseason-trial-announced/
Kinect Sports Rivals is an Xbox One launch game after all - free ""Preseason"" trial announced
Microsoft's decision to delay Kinect Sports Rivals till spring 2014 caused a bit of a hullabaloo in July - with the possible exception of Fighter Within, it's the most compelling demonstration of what the new Kinect sensor can do. Good news, fist-shakers - one of the game's six sporting pastimes will release as a free digital ""Preseason"" trial alongside the Xbox One itself in North America, Europe and Australia.
The trial features wake racing, and supports both online and splitscreen multiplayer - the latter feature has to be unlocked by completing challenges, seemingly. Download it between 22nd November and 30th November, and you'll receive exclusive bonuses such as a "Founder" player title and a branded Kinect Sports Rivals wetsuit for your character.
You'll also be able to tap into the Kinect Sports Rivals Hub to participate in monthly challenges - solo, co-op and nation versus nation. Complete these to nab exclusive rewards that will carry over to the full version of Kinect Sports Rivals in the spring.
The trial will ship with a specially recorded all-new tune, Collide, by "rising musical group" Youngblood Hawke, as revealed by the goodly Major of Nelson. He and Xbox PR compatriot Graeme Boyd will appear in the game as multiplayer opponents.
It's not clear whether the trial Hub also supports the full game's Drivatar-esque ghost system. "You'll face off against other Champions from across the globe, either directly controlled by players or competing in their stead (using a playing style remembered by the game itself) while they're offline," reads a blurb for the latter. "Friends, rivals and other intelligently matched challengers line up to be taken on and taken down. Boosting your skill and fame leads to ever greater rewards and opportunities."
Besides wake racing, the final game will offer climbing, football, target shooting, bowling and tennis. Aoife got to grips with Kinect Sports Rivals at Gamescom, and considers it thoroughly worth a peek. Here's a video of her scrubbed-up digital double strutting its stuff. And here's our full list of Xbox One launch games.
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Good news.. Of course, it still sucks that there is no Kinect based game on Xbox One at launch, but this is at least something - and the wake racing actually looks good.