gamescom: Kinect Sports Rivals Q&A with Rare, Ltd.

“Kinect Sports Rivals” is in Germany this week at gamescom and serving up the first chance fans get to playing some of the game’s new sports: Wake Racing and Rock Climbing. We sat down with Rare Ltd.’s executive producer, Danny Isaac to find out more about “Kinect Sports Rivals.” Also, we have the trailer – From Science to Experience – released earlier this week right here just in case you missed it!

What are you showing at Gamescom this week?

We are giving fans their first-ever hands-on experience with “Kinect Sports Rivals” this week at gamescom in Germany. Attendees will be the first to try Kinect scanning to create their in-game Champions, “Kinect Sports Rivals” new generation character creation that puts YOU in the game and compete in two all-new sports: Wake Racing and Rock Climbing.

Tell us about these new sports – we haven’t seen them in previous “Kinect Sports” games.

Correct, these all-new sports are only made possible with advanced Kinect for Xbox One technology. Wake Racing combines the fun of a wake racer with the precise and intuitive movements that only Kinect for Xbox One can detect. Wake Racing is playable seated or standing, and closely tracks body position and hand movements, something that wasn’t previously possible. Rock Climbing lets you scale the side of a mountain in a cut-throat race to the summit. You’ll need to carefully plan your route and use your hands to grip and release rocks as you ascend.

This is the first time “Kinect Sports” franchise brings strategy into play, so you’ll need to watch your back because Rivals from other teams will be close on your heels, trying to pull you off so you lose time.