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Kinect-Powered Dragon Shouts, More Coming To Skyrim

Dragon shouts are about to get more shouty, thanks to a free update to the Xbox 360 version of the Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. The download, set to release this month, will add Kinect support with more than 200 voice commands.

The video below breaks down just some of the new functionality, which goes far beyond merely aping your character's special dragon shouts. Players can use their voice to access quick saves, direct their allies in combat, sort through their inventories, and much more. Bethesda hinted that Kinect support was a possibility a few months back. 

All right, Bethesda. You can scratch this one off our wish list. Now get to work addressing the rest of our DLC whims already!

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Comments
  • Awesome! If more non-family games include Kinect, I may actually buy it.

    I hope they include some way to see the words in dragon-language, because it would be awful if you wanted to do a shout but couldn't because you didn't know the words. I'm not sure if the shouts are listed with dragon-words already, but all I know is that it stands for example: "Unrelenting Force" and "Force, Balance, Push" on the shout-list.
  • This Will Be Great, Should Of Done It From The Start Though.

  • I'd love to do this, but I don't have a Kinect.  I have a headset that came with my Xbox.  Why, oh why, must life be so cruel?

  • This is great as long as you don't actually have to use the Kinect sensor for any moving or battles. It's just not that up to par yet.

  • Pretty cool concept, too bad I'm done with the game.

  • Okay... I still do not understand why they cant put this update out for people to use with a headset! ...Why do I have to have a kinenct for a voice input???
  • Nice idea...not going to make me spend $140 on a Kinect though.

  • They should make all actions in the game available through voice command. You want to cast magic you have to say "magic" for as long as you want the magic to be cast. Walk forward, sneak, swing sword, steal, jump, sprint, are all commands

  • It is completely amazing that you can tack the functionality on like that later.

  • Meh.

  • awesome now i can start yelling and gave an excuse...a very awesome excuse

  • So pumped for this.

    Actually shouting the Dragon Shouts will be awesome, I can't wait to do that.

    To be honest though, I think the quick-commands for allies and the quick-switch for weapons will be the most helpful in the long run. Assuming the audio detection on them is very good. If I had to listen to "I am sworrrnnnn to carry your burdens" one more time...

  • Too bad I have a ps3, about the only useful thing for kinect in a long time. I would fus ro day that b**** up lol.

  • Crap!! I only have it for the PS3.

  • Now I will have a good reason to shout at my tv (shouting at Garrus doesn't count XD )

  • Ok I need to put my 2 cents in on this one. This has to be the stupidest marketing scheme I have ever heard of. The problem that I see here is the fact that it's only voice recognition. I could understand as this update being a Kinect/Microsoft Exclusive if they actually used the camera, but since it's only voice, there is really no need for this update; or give it to all platforms. Anyone can use a microphone and do this, it doesn't mean kinect is special because it does what a microphone is designed to do. Why not be able to use a blue-tooth headset? or a PC mic and do the exact same thing? Why not use the PSEye? which also has a hefty microphone on there... I just feel that it's things like this that just make exclusivity retarded and unworthy. This update only gives people who don't have a clue about what a features are available to use on other platforms, a wrong and manipulative incentive....ugh...
  • This looks freakin awesome I can't wait to see if this will actually happen and use it.
  • Wonderful! Now we can take the Kinect back out of the box and maybe,  just maybe, not consider it a total waste of money.