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Making the virtual, real

A quick look at the Xbox 360, the Ferrari Enzo of gaming

SLEEK Microsoft's Xbox 360 video game console

Japanese girl Kokoro has a mean kick, revealing leg and strength. Masked Wrestler ducks but replies with a knockout punch. Grown men change into addicts. Children yelp with excitement and frenzy. Enter the world of gaming.

The Ferrari Enzo of the gaming industry is all set to enter Indian markets, pre-Diwali. The Microsoft Xbox 360 is the "latest, best and most high-definition gaming product," according to Mohit Anand, Country Manager, Microsoft Entertainment and Devices Division, India.

The Xbox 360 made its debut public appearance at a 500-year-old fort. The hosting of a curtain raiser at the ancient Neemrana fort in Rajasthan, was intentional. As Anand explained, "We could not think of a better retro setting". Nick Fillingham, Product Trainer APAC Region, Xbox 360 spoke exhaustively about the evolution of gaming, culminating in the Xbox. Flying Microsoft's flag high, he said, "Comparing the Xbox 360 with Play Station 2, is like comparing a Ferrari Enzo with a Mumbai cab." Both will transport you but the experience will differ.

Defining aspect

The Xbox is superior more in its visuals than story lines or character development. The visuals of these games are high definition, which means there are more pixels on screen. Details are true to life and devoid of distortions. Explaining high-definition (HD), Fillingham said that with HD, line contours get smooth, whereas without HD, lines become stair-like. Real life experiences are created through dramatic lighting, minute muscle animation, interactive environments and varying and even destructible terrains. Racetracks come alive through the roar of F1 vehicles, which was recorded live, allegedly at the Grand Prix. If a driver drives well, camera flashes of spectators will cheer him on, if he lags behind, the flashes go silent.

The Indian gaming market has much potential, according to Anand, there are 1.6 million active gamers (those who spend upward of two hours, not counting cell phone gamers) in the country. Asked if this is a kid's game, he quickly replied, "I'm 33 and I play more than my six-year-old son. I have been playing for the last 17 years." Posing with the console he said, "Gaming is booming. The Xbox 360 is an aspirational product."

The Xbox comes in two versions, Xbox 360 Pro System, (ERP Rs.23990 plus tax) and Xbox 360 Core System (ERP Rs.19990 plus tax).

NANDINI NAIR

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